Protect Your Backyard Paradise from Mosquitoes
Summer in Minnesota can be paradise. Except for the mosquitoes–sometimes referred to as the state bird–and rain. While you can’t do anything about the weather, you can protect your outdoor events from the buzz and bite of unwanted party crashers. The experts at Rainbow Pest Experts put together this list for fighting mosquitoes in your yard–along with current health information. Unfortunately, as weather patterns continue to shift, so do the areas in which insect and tick borne illnesses are found.
If you’re planning a special outdoor event, or have a yard with lots of shade and vegetation, you may also want to consider mosquito control treatments.
Protect your family from mosquito bites at home with these tips:
- Keep your lawn mowed and remove wood piles or other structures mosquitoes may use as shelter.
- Eliminate breeding grounds by removing standing water from buckets, flower pot dishes, or other containers.
- Keep fresh water in birdbaths to prevent mosquito larva from maturing in them.
- Cover your skin with light-colored clothing that covers your arms and legs. Wear permethrin-treated clothes to help repel biting insects.
- Avoid lights that attract mosquitoes at night such as sodium or fluorescent bulbs.
- Apply an EPA-approved mosquito repellent when you’re outside at dusk or night.
- Inspect all window and door screens for holes and repair them if needed.
- Try using fans outdoors–mosquitos are not strong flyers.
Health concerns remain rare in Minnesota
- West Nile Virus is present in Minnesota. Most people experience mild flu-like symptoms—or none at all. Statistics from the Minnesota Department of Health show that cases remain rare.
- Dengue Fever has only been reported in Minnesota in people who contracted it during international travel.
- Zika virus remains very rare in the US. Pregnant women should not visit areas with a high risk of Zika. Zika spreads by mosquitoes or unprotected sex. The mosquitoes that carry Zika are not found in Minnesota.
- Encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, is a very rare complication from viruses carried by mosquitoes. These include West Nile and La Crosse, which are present in Minnesota.
- Heartworm is a risk for pets that spend time outdoors in Minnesota.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors in your own yard, consider treating your yard to reduce the mosquito population by 80%. When combined with personal insect protection, you can enjoy the summer–without the constant swatting and itching.
Contact Rainbow Pest Experts to learn more about mosquito control services!
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