As Spring marches into Summer, we will all begin to look forward to spending a little more time outdoors to take advantage of the longer days and more favorable weather! You might be starting to eat outside on your deck or patio, or you may want to invite friends over for an evening sitting by your firepit. However you choose to enjoy outdoor living, one thing is certain, you will want to make sure that while your guests are welcome, the local mosquito population is not! Here are a few tips from pest control in Knoxville.

Are Mosquitoes Common in Tennessee?

Mosquitoes can be a substantial problem in Tennessee. Like many other states in the United States, Tennessee has a mosquito population that can become quite active during the warmer months, typically from spring through fall. Mosquitoes are attracted to areas with standing water, as they lay their eggs in stagnant water sources such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and even smaller containers like birdbaths or clogged gutters.

While not all mosquito species in Tennessee transmit diseases, some of them are known carriers of viruses such as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and Zika virus. It's important to take precautions to protect yourself from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, and eliminating standing water around your property.

The severity of the mosquito problem can vary depending on factors such as weather conditions, local mosquito control efforts, and individual property maintenance. Certain areas near bodies of water or with dense vegetation may experience a higher mosquito population compared to urban areas or locations with fewer breeding grounds. If you have spotted mosquitoes around your property, you will want to book pest control in Knoxville to address the problem.

How to Keep Mosquitoes At Bay

The best course of action to keep mosquitoes from swarming you every time you are outdoors is to seek pest control in Knoxville. At Otis Pest Control, we use a combined approach that includes source reduction, chemical control, and biological. However, there are some steps that you can take to make your yard less desirable to mosquitoes to support the treatment from professional pest control in Knoxville.

Try to Avoid Standing Water

Mosquitoes need standing water in order to breed. They only need a small amount of water, so it is important to thoroughly check your yard and eliminate any containers with standing water. Likey spots might include buckets, plant pots, kiddie pools, bird baths, garbage cans, and even gutters. You need not be concerned about swimming pools as these are chlorinated, and that will deter mosquitoes. You might also want to check your lawn, patio, or decking in case drainage issues are allowing water to pool after rain, as mosquitoes could take advantage of this to lay their eggs.

Choose Plants Wisely

There are certain plants and herbs that will naturally repel mosquitoes and other pests. This is because they will emit a strong aroma that pests do not like. Some of the plants you might want to consider include:

• Citronella
• Marigolds
• Pennyroyal
• Geraniums
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Lemon Balm
• Garlic

It is important to note that while these plants may repel mosquitoes and other pests, they are not a substitute for professional treatment from pest control in Knoxville, and you will still need to get your yard sprayed.

Choose Yellow Light

Mosquitoes and other flying pests are attracted to light. If you have exterior lighting, you may want to change the bulbs to 'bug bulbs.' These yellow-toned bulbs emit a wavelength that is not attractive to bugs. This will not eliminate mosquitoes, but it will stop them from swarming around your lights, and when used in conjunction with pest control in Knoxville, it can make summer nights bite free! You may also be tempted to buy a bug zapper lantern, but these attract mosquitoes in order to zap them rather than deter them, and they can also kill beneficial insects such as bees.

Why Choose Otis Pest Control?

Otis Termite & Pest Control has been providing pest control in Knoxville and the surrounding areas of East Tennessee since 1974. Over the years, we have tested various treatment methods to help handle mosquito swarms for our customers. This has allowed us to develop a comprehensive mosquito treatment plan that not only exterminates the existing mosquitoes on your property but also helps to prevent future infestations from developing. We will inspect your property for potential breeding sites and help you to eliminate them before treating them with an EPA-registered pesticide that will kill the mosquitoes on contact. All of the products we use are safe to apply to your plants and bushes without any concerns about damaging your landscaping.

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Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.