Category: Lifestyle

Covid-Safe Holiday Tips

2020 has been a long year for everyone, which is why we all deserve to enjoy the holiday season! Unfortunately, our celebrations will most likely look a little different this year due to the spread of COVID-19. However, that just means we have to find new ways to enjoy the holidays!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are plenty of precautions you can take that will minimize your risk of contracting COVID-19 while still celebrating this season. Here are some tips for a COVID-safe holiday season:

Host a virtual gathering

While virtual Secret Santa parties or Christmas dinners might not be your preferred way of celebrating the holidays, they are relatively COVID-safe. If you can’t see family or friends over the holidays due to the pandemic, you can still make it special by seeing them over a phone or laptop. Virtual gatherings pose little risk for contracting COVID-19, which makes them a viable option for holiday celebrations.

Wear masks and stay outside where possible

If you do decide to see people over the holidays, make sure you follow the proper COVID precautions. The CDC recommends hosting outdoor rather than indoor gatherings and always wearing a mask to reduce your risk of contracting the virus. You should also bring hand sanitizer wherever you go, whether you are doing some last-minute Christmas shopping or attending a gift exchange. 

Have a “drive-by” party

For months now, people have been opting to have “drive-by” parties in lieu of birthday parties and holiday gatherings. If you’re itching for some human interaction during the Christmas season (who isn’t?), consider hosting a “drive-by” party where friends and family can celebrate from the safety of their own vehicles. Sit out on the front porch or sidewalk and enjoy the festivities!

Prepare homemade dishes and deliver them in advance

The pandemic is unfortunately forcing many people, especially those at high-risk for contracting COVID, to celebrate the holidays alone or somewhat isolated. If you know of someone who is spending this holiday season by themselves, consider delivering them a home-cooked meal or a traditional family dish. Just be sure to make a contactless delivery and take proper COVID precautions! 

Keep it in the family

For some, the holidays aren’t the same without family. If you plan on getting together with your family over the holidays, try to keep the gathering small and maintain social distancing guidelines with those you do not live with. While the CDC does not provide a specific number for gatherings, they do recommend limiting the number of attendees as much as possible.

Opt to shop online

Online shopping has become more and more popular over the years and is a relatively COVID-safe option for Christmas shoppers. Instead of shopping in crowded stores, try ordering your Christmas presents online to eliminate the potential risk of in-person shopping. If you do opt to go to physical stores, don’t forget to wear a mask and practice social distancing!

For more information on COVID-19 guidelines during the holidays, visit the CDC website.

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.

Mosquito Authority’s tips on how to have a bug-free barbeque

Summer might be coming to an end, but barbeque season is still going strong! In fact, with the weather cooling down in September, this might just be the best time to fire up the grill and enjoy your backyard. 

There is just one problem: how do you stop mosquitoes from ruining your outdoor dinner plans? That’s where Mosquito Authority comes in. We want you to enjoy your backyard to the fullest, so here are some Mosquito Authority-approved tips for having a bug-free barbeque this season:

1.  Set out some citronella candles

While citronella is not 100% effective in staving off mosquitoes, it can still help. Try setting out some citronella candles or torches around your backyard area if you are planning on hosting a gathering.

 2. Wear light-colored clothing

It might sound odd, but people wearing dark clothing are actually at a higher risk for mosquito bites than those wearing lighter clothes. Avoid being a target for mosquitoes in search of a meal by wearing light-colored clothing during an outdoor event. 

3. Use a fan

Another strategy for keeping mosquitoes from ruining your backyard barbeque is to put one or two fans in your outdoor space. There are two reasons why fans can help deter mosquitoes, one of them being that mosquitoes are weak fliers, so a strong fan can keep them from getting to you. The other reason is that mosquitoes are enticed by the lactic acid from human sweat, so by cooling you down, fans also make you less attractive to these pests. 

4. Remove any standing water from your yard

Mosquitoes love standing water, so make sure you don’t have any puddles or places where water could build up in your yard. If you have any birdbaths, be sure to change out the water frequently in order to avoid mosquitoes on the day or night of your barbeque.

5. Cover your trash cans and get rid of any trash as soon as possible

Leftover food and beverages in trash cans attract all sorts of bugs, so it’s important to keep your outdoor trash cans covered. In addition, using a lid avoids any water from getting in your trash can, which can help deter mosquitoes.

6.  Schedule your BBQ for early afternoon

We’ve all had a nice night or two ruined by the presence of mosquitoes. Since these pests are most active during dusk, we recommend scheduling your barbeque early in the afternoon to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

7. Eat outside, but serve the food inside

Try serving your meal inside in order to keep the majority of the food away from hungry pests. This way, you and your guests can still enjoy eating outdoors without constantly worrying if bugs have gotten into the food.

8. Call Mosquito Authority

At Mosquito Authority, our primary focus is ensuring you and your family’s safety and helping you enjoy your outdoor space without the presence of mosquitoes. To ensure that your next barbeque or outdoor event is mosquito-free, schedule a treatment with us today. 

Fun Ways to Celebrate National Grandparents Day This Year

National Grandparents Day is coming up on September 13th, and we want to help you celebrate! Although COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines might make it difficult to celebrate the day exactly as you had planned, there are still plenty of ways to show your love and appreciation for the grandmas and grandpas in your life. However, we know that you and your family might not be able to physically be together due to COVID-19, so we’ve put together some ideas for those who are together and those who are apart.

If you are spending the day together:

1. Homemade brunch

Brunch is a good idea at any time of the year, so make it even more special by turning it into a Grandparents Day celebration at home. Fixing brunch is a great way for grandkids and grandparents to spend time together and then afterward you can enjoy the meal as a family!

2. Plant a flower garden

If you have some space in your yard for a few more flowers, have your kids do some gardening with their grandparents. They’ll have a great time planting the flowers, and it’s a gift that will keep on growing!

3. Start a new tradition

What better way for grandchildren to spend the day than starting a new tradition with their grandparents? Whether it be baking cookies or reading a story together, starting a new tradition will create lasting memories for years to come.

4. Complete (or at least start) a puzzle together

Puzzles are hardly any fun without someone by your side, so why not make it a Grandparents Day bonding activity? Word searches, jigsaw puzzles, and crosswords are all good options!

If you are spending the day apart:

1. Spend some virtual time together

It might not sound that special, but if you can’t be with your loved ones due to COVD-19, set up a FaceTime or Zoom call with the grandparents in your life. Your kids will still get to see grandma and grandpa, and you can even have a virtual dinner together!

2. Send homemade cards

Crafting homemade cards is a thoughtful way to show someone how much you appreciate them, even when you’re not together. This is a great way for kids to express their creativity while also telling their grandparents how much they mean to them.

3. Recreate an old picture

Photographs last a lifetime and make for great memories. If you have a favorite photo with your parents, try recreating it with your own kids to create a new memory for their grandparents. You can even take it further by sending the picture along with a homemade card from your kids!

4. Make a family tree

Making a family tree is a great opportunity for kids to spend time with their grandparents while learning some family history. No worries if you can’t be together, because this can be done over the phone or on a virtual call!

National Grandparents Day is an opportunity for grandchildren and grandparents to bond, together or apart. We hope you try out some of these ideas and make this the best Grandparents Day yet!

Preparing for a Different School Environment

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Know what to expect as your child returns to school during a pandemic.

It’s about that time: summer is coming to an end, classroom supply lists are coming out, and kids are preparing to return to school. However, the start of the school year will be much different than any we have experienced before. Due to the restrictions and social distancing guidelines in effect to prevent the spread of COVID-19, classrooms and school activities have had to be significantly modified. To make sure your children are prepared for the new school year, here are some tips from the CDC on how to ensure a safe transition back to school:

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