Facts You Didn’t Know About Ticks

If there is one thing that can put a damper on spending time outdoors, it’s ticks. Ticks not only latch onto animals, but they can also spread diseases to humans. We take tick control seriously at Mosquito Authority, and that’s why we believe you should know all the facts when it comes to preventing and controlling these pests. 

Here are some fun facts you didn’t know about ticks, but probably should:

Dog and deer ticks will also latch onto humans

Contrary to their name, dog and deer ticks don’t exclusively feed on animals. Both of these ticks not only bite humans, but they can also transmit diseases to us as well. Dog ticks are most active during the spring and summer, while deer ticks can be active in any temperatures above freezing. 

Ticks can survive through the winter

While a lot of the pests you see in the summer tend to die out or disappear in the winter, this is not necessarily true for ticks. Ticks are generally active in weather that stays above freezing temperatures, so depending on your region, you may be at risk for tick bites even during the cold months. 

Ticks transmit more diseases than you think

While most people know that ticks can transmit Lyme Disease to humans and animals, you might not have known that they can carry other diseases as well. Some of these illnesses include Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and tick paralysis. Because of their high potential for spreading disease, tick control is a key part of maintaining your outdoor space. 

Tick bites are more common for dogs than cats

This isn’t because ticks prefer dogs over cats, but because cats habitually groom themselves. Because of this, you are much more likely to find a tick on your dog rather than your cat. Tick control isn’t just for you and your family; it protects your furry friends as well. 

Most ticks prefer to feed on different hosts during different stages of their lives

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a tick must have a blood meal at every stage of its life in order to survive. Most ticks have four life stages: egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph, and adult. Some species, like the blacklegged ticks, can feed on mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. 

Ticks don’t jump or fall onto their hosts

While the common thought is that ticks find hosts by jumping or falling onto a human or animal, that is actually not true. Ticks usually find a host by positioning themselves on the edges of tall grass blades or bushes and waiting for an animal or human to walk by. This is why backyard tick control is crucial; if you live near the woods or have areas of tall grass, you are more likely to experience tick problems.

Tick control is an important part of ensuring your backyard is a safe place, so schedule a tick treatment with us today. No contracts and no commitments!

How to Make the Most of Your Fall Garden

Looking for ways to spruce up your garden this season? You’re in luck, because fall is a great time to plant some beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables. Even if you don’t necessarily have a green thumb, you can still make your garden something to be proud of. Read on for some Mosquito Authority-approved tips on how to make the most of your fall garden:

Flowers to plant:

  • Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemums come in a variety of colors perfect for fall, such as red, yellow, orange, and pink. Simply make sure you plant these flowers at least six weeks before any extreme cold weather, so they can have time to establish roots.
  • Aster: If you want to add some cool colors to your autumn garden, plant some aster. Aster is a perennial plant that grows in many different colors like purple and blue. Nectar from an aster plant is also a great food source for butterflies and bees!
  • Sweet Alyssum: Sweet alyssum isn’t just for decoration; it also has a pleasantly sweet scent. Flowering in shades of white, pink, purple, yellow, and peach, sweet alyssum grows along the ground to create a flowery carpet of color.
  • Black-Eyed Susan: Black-eyed susans are another flower that will brighten up your autumn garden. These golden blooms look beautiful next to any flower and are a favorite food source of bees and butterflies.

Vegetables to plant:

  • Beets: Beets are a great fall vegetable that should be planted about 8-10 weeks before the first winter frost. If you follow this timeline, you should be able to harvest your beets in time for the holidays.
  • Carrots: Carrots are not only a great source of nutrition, but they also add some color to your garden. These veggies come in a variety of colors including white, purple, crimson, and yellow. Carrots should be planted about 6-8 inches apart with 5-8 seeds per inch.
  • Broccoli: Broccoli that grows during the cold weather actually tastes sweeter than when grown any other time of the year. If you’re planning on growing broccoli this year, plant this crop about 85-100 days before the first frost.
  • Onions: Onions are another crop that come in numerous forms and colors. Depending on your region, certain onions may do better than others. Onions should be planted 2-4 weeks before the first frost of the year.

There are plenty of other flowers and vegetables that can thrive in the cooler weather, so make the most of your fall garden this year by trying some of them out!

Fall Activities to Celebrate the Season

Fall has finally arrived, and with it, the cool weather, changing leaves, and pumpkin spiced lattes. COVID-19 has kept most of us cooped up inside for the majority of 2020, but the one thing it can’t do is keep us from enjoying autumn and the festivities that come with it. 

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the season, whether you are someone who enjoys the outdoors or someone who would rather stay in for a cozy night by the fireplace. Here are some fun, fall activities you can do with the whole family:

Go pumpkin-picking

It wouldn’t be autumn without a day spent in a pumpkin patch. Pumpkin-picking is a classic way to celebrate the season while also getting to enjoy the outdoors with the whole family. Many pumpkin farms even offer extra activities to take part in, such as hay rides and food markets.

Spruce up your fall garden 

Fall is a great time to add some color to your garden. Whether you are a gardening expert or just starting out, there are plenty of beautiful flowers to plant when autumn comes around. Violas, black-eyed Susans, and chrysanthemums are all great options for fall flower planting!

Have a backyard bonfire

Bonfires are a fun way to make the most of a chilly night outdoors. Who doesn’t love s’mores and spooky stories? If you’re worried about being bitten up by mosquitoes, give us a call and we will make sure your backyard is mosquito-free and bonfire-ready!

Plan a family movie night

Sometimes these chilly October nights can have you wanting a night in, so settle in for a family movie night! There are plenty of movies to get you in the festive spirit, so choose one or two (or three) and enjoy a cozy night in.

Visit a corn maze

Corn mazes are fun no matter what your age. If staying inside just doesn’t seem like fun this weekend, enjoying a corn maze is a fun alternative. It’s okay if you get lost in there– that’s half the fun! 

Decorate your house for fall

One of the best ways you can get in the autumn spirit is by putting up some fall decorations. You can even take it to the next level by making your own decorations; homemade wreaths and painted pumpkins are great DIY crafts that everyone can help make!  

Try out some new fall recipes

Autumn brings with it some of the best foods, from pumpkin bread to apple pie. If you are in the baking mood or want to improve your skills in the kitchen, there are plenty of delicious, fall-themed recipes ranging from easy to expert.

Go on a hike

It’s hard to feel motivated to stay active during the colder months of the year, so consider taking your family on a hike. Hiking is not only great exercise, but also a way to enjoy the outdoors and fall foliage with the whole family. 

These are just a few of the many ways to enjoy fall. If you are planning on spending a lot of time outdoors this season, schedule a Mosquito Authority treatment to make sure your backyard is mosquito and tick-free.

Animal Safety and Protection Month

At Mosquito Authority, we want everyone in your family to enjoy a pest-free life– including the furry members. That being said, October is mostly known for its cool weather and changing leaves, but it is also Animal Safety and Protection Month. 

We always want the very best for our furry friends, and Animal Safety and Protection Month reminds us that caring for them is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. In addition to highlighting the importance of domesticated animal care, Animal Safety and Protection month also provides some information on what to do if your pet is ill or in need of emergent care.

Because Mosquito Authority values the health and wellbeing of your family pets, we want to provide some tips on protecting them from ticks.

Check your pets often for ticks

This is the simplest yet most important thing you can do to prevent ticks on your pets (and in your home). If your pets, especially dogs and cats, spend a significant amount of time playing outdoors, they are bound to come into contact with a tick or two. If you do find a tick hiding on your pet, make sure to remove it right away.

Hire a professional tick control service

One of the best things you can do to minimize the risk of ticks in your area is to hire a professional pest control service. Lucky for you, many Mosquito Authority locations offer top-notch tick prevention. Just like with our mosquito control service, we do not require any contracts or commitments when you hire us to treat for ticks.

Clear tall grass and bushes from around your yard

Ticks love to hide in grassy areas where animals tend to go. Because of this, it is a good idea to mow your lawn often and clear any areas of tall grass or bushes around your yard. The less places you have for ticks to inhabit, the less chance your dog or cat will come into contact with one.

Remove any leaf litter from your yard

Because ticks cannot fly or jump, they rely on other methods to find hosts. Many times, ticks will position themselves on leaf edges and attach themselves to a human or animal as they walk by. With this in mind, it is a good idea to remove any sort of leaf litter from your yard and ensure that nearby ticks do not have a place to settle. 

Use a preventative tick medicine

There are no vaccines for the majority of tickborne illnesses that affect dogs, so talk to your veterinarian about preventative medicines. Rather than wait until you find a tick on your dog, help make sure that doesn’t happen.

Animal Safety and Protection Month reminds us of our responsibility to care for and protect our furry friends. Taking preventative action against ticks is extremely important to the health of your pet, so don’t wait until you find one of these pests on your animal or in your home. Schedule a tick treatment with Mosquito Authority today and help keep your pets happy and healthy.

Preventing Mosquito Bites Around Your Home

In an article for 360 Magazine, Mosquito Authority Chief Science Officer Dr. Craig Stoops outlines three ways to prevent mosquito bites around your home.

The first way to limit mosquito exposure is source reduction. Because many mosquito species prefer to breed and lay their eggs in standing water, they often congregate around things like bird baths and discarded items around the yard. To avoid this, Dr. Stoops recommends “emptying and cleaning bird baths and discarding items that can hold water” to reduce the mosquito population near your house.

Dr. Stoops also highlights the importance of using EPA-approved mosquito repellents. Dr. Stoops highly recommends using repellents containing DEET and lists other options for repellents such as picaridin, IR3535, and lemongrass oil.

Dr. Stoops’ last recommendation for preventing mosquito bites is to hire a professional mosquito control service. According to Dr. Stoops, “Pest control operators specifically trained in identifying the mosquitoes in your yard and recommending an integrated control program can be a great way to provide season-long relief from mosquito bites.” When choosing a mosquito control company, it is important to hire certified professionals who are experts in their field.
For the full article and more information on preventing mosquito bites around your home, click here.