Once again we are pleased to welcome as guest blogger, Lucy Tate of doggonow.com, a site dedicated to loving and appreciating our pets as well as advocating rescue, fostering and adoption.
Today, Lucy shares with us an article on the very important topic of keeping our families safe from mosquitoes and ticks. Even though summer is over, it is important to follow the protocols for prevention of diseases spread by these predators all throughout the year. This article written exclusively for us tells you how.
Today, Lucy shares with us an article on the very important topic of keeping our families safe from mosquitoes and ticks. Even though summer is over, it is important to follow the protocols for prevention of diseases spread by these predators all throughout the year. This article written exclusively for us tells you how.
Whether it’s hot and dry outside or cool and wet, mosquitoes and ticks are one of the major forms of irritation you’ll experience when you’re spending the day outside. In many regions, they also have the habit of finding their way indoors, where they can disturb your sleep and keep you itching all night long. Not only are their bites aggravating, but they can also cause you to feel unwell and can even spread dangerous diseases. This is why it’s best to prevent their bites by protecting yourself in advance. Here are ways you can get mosquitoes and ticks out of your home while guarding against their bites, as well as tips for what to do when you’ve been bitten.
How to Get Mosquitoes and Ticks Out of Your House
The first thing you should know is that the most commonly attempted method of removing mosquitoes from your home -- that is, swatting at each one individually -- is by far the least effective. Even mosquito traps aren’t necessarily effective, as different varieties of mosquito react differently to different trapping attempts, making many types of trap completely useless in your area. It’s much easier to prevent them from getting inside your house in the first place.
To start, make sure that your house is properly sealed up. Close your windows, make sure there are no gaps in your door frame, and seal cracks in your foundation and roof. Outside, you can also make sure that your property isn’t a breeding ground for mosquitoes. They require standing water for a large part of their life cycle, so by reducing the amount of water around your home, you will take away their ability to fully develop. Keep track of areas where rainwater might pool, fix any leaky faucets, regularly clean and drain your gutters, and poke holes in things like flower pots and buckets that may collect water without having a drainage system.
The same is true of ticks; they prefer wet environments as well, so keeping your backyard dry is one of the best ways to prevent them from taking up residence. Of course, if you have tried all of this and you still have a large pest problem in and around your home, it may be time to call in a professional. Look into hiring a pest control service to take care of the problem -- the average national cost of hiring pest control services ranges from between $134 to $198.
Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes and Ticks When You’re Outdoors
Even if you properly seal your home and dry out your backyard, you will still have to contend with mosquitoes and ticks when you are outside. Mosquitoes require access to exposed skin to be able to bite you, so by wearing long sleeves and pants when you go outside, you will make it less likely that they will be able to successfully bite you. Ticks prefer to live in brushy areas, so try to stay in more sunny regions. If you live in or are going for a hike in the woods, stick to the path to avoid getting too close to where ticks lurk. You can help your dog stay free of pests by keeping their flea and tick medication up to date.
Remedies for Mosquito Bites
In the event you do suffer from a mosquito or tick bite, it’s good to be prepared. The swelling caused by mosquito bites will generally last a day. Antihistamine creams can help to control the itchiness, but certain natural remedies such as ice packs and baking soda can help just as well. However, if you start to experience a fever, headache, or general fatigue after getting bitten, you may have picked up a more serious illness and should go to the doctor as soon as possible.
Mosquitoes and ticks are irritating, but you don’t have to let their presence affect your enjoyment of the outdoors. By taking the proper precautions in and around your home, you can help safeguard your family and spend your evenings outdoors and itch-free.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Lucy, we thank you again for this interesting and informative article. And be sure to take preventative measures for yourself and your pets as well as checking for ticks and signs of illness after outdoor activities.
Please be sure to visit Lucy's website doggonow.com and read Lucy's own story and more!
How to Get Mosquitoes and Ticks Out of Your House
The first thing you should know is that the most commonly attempted method of removing mosquitoes from your home -- that is, swatting at each one individually -- is by far the least effective. Even mosquito traps aren’t necessarily effective, as different varieties of mosquito react differently to different trapping attempts, making many types of trap completely useless in your area. It’s much easier to prevent them from getting inside your house in the first place.
To start, make sure that your house is properly sealed up. Close your windows, make sure there are no gaps in your door frame, and seal cracks in your foundation and roof. Outside, you can also make sure that your property isn’t a breeding ground for mosquitoes. They require standing water for a large part of their life cycle, so by reducing the amount of water around your home, you will take away their ability to fully develop. Keep track of areas where rainwater might pool, fix any leaky faucets, regularly clean and drain your gutters, and poke holes in things like flower pots and buckets that may collect water without having a drainage system.
The same is true of ticks; they prefer wet environments as well, so keeping your backyard dry is one of the best ways to prevent them from taking up residence. Of course, if you have tried all of this and you still have a large pest problem in and around your home, it may be time to call in a professional. Look into hiring a pest control service to take care of the problem -- the average national cost of hiring pest control services ranges from between $134 to $198.
Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes and Ticks When You’re Outdoors
Even if you properly seal your home and dry out your backyard, you will still have to contend with mosquitoes and ticks when you are outside. Mosquitoes require access to exposed skin to be able to bite you, so by wearing long sleeves and pants when you go outside, you will make it less likely that they will be able to successfully bite you. Ticks prefer to live in brushy areas, so try to stay in more sunny regions. If you live in or are going for a hike in the woods, stick to the path to avoid getting too close to where ticks lurk. You can help your dog stay free of pests by keeping their flea and tick medication up to date.
Remedies for Mosquito Bites
In the event you do suffer from a mosquito or tick bite, it’s good to be prepared. The swelling caused by mosquito bites will generally last a day. Antihistamine creams can help to control the itchiness, but certain natural remedies such as ice packs and baking soda can help just as well. However, if you start to experience a fever, headache, or general fatigue after getting bitten, you may have picked up a more serious illness and should go to the doctor as soon as possible.
Mosquitoes and ticks are irritating, but you don’t have to let their presence affect your enjoyment of the outdoors. By taking the proper precautions in and around your home, you can help safeguard your family and spend your evenings outdoors and itch-free.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Lucy, we thank you again for this interesting and informative article. And be sure to take preventative measures for yourself and your pets as well as checking for ticks and signs of illness after outdoor activities.
Please be sure to visit Lucy's website doggonow.com and read Lucy's own story and more!
RSS Feed