Happy Independence Day!  Many of us will spend the holiday weekend outside, celebrating with picnics, fireworks, BBQ’s, and other activities.  Unfortunately, mosquitoes often put a damper on our outdoor celebrations.  This year especially, thanks to a warm, wet spring and early summer, we can expect mosquito activity to be worse than normal.

Here are some tips for reducing mosquito activity around your home this summer:

• To avoid mosquito nesting and breeding sites, eliminate standing water and other sources of moisture in or around the home in flowerpots, water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, barrels and other objects that can collect water. Add a fountain or drip system to birdbaths and ponds on your property to keep water fresh.

• Keep windows and doors properly screened to keep mosquitoes outside.

• Be alert when outdoors during dawn, dusk and early evening hours, when mosquito-biting activity can peak. Also, avoid areas near water where mosquitoes gather, especially during peak activity.

• Avoid wearing dark colors and floral prints, loose-fitting garments, open-toe shoes and sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes.

• If you’ll be spending time outdoors, wear mosquito repellent with DEET as well as long pants and long-sleeve shirts.

• If you have a mosquito infestation on your property, give us a call.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful celebration of the birth of our country!  God Bless America!

Brent