8 Common Breeding Grounds for Mosquitoes

Pots of standing water can attract mosquitoes to homes in Sevierville TN - Johnson Pest ControlHere in Eastern Tennessee, mosquitoes are a fact of life in the summertime. They are active at dawn and dusk, and will gladly take up residence in your yard if given the chance. Female mosquitoes need just a half inch of water to be able to lay their eggs in. This means any container on your property capable of collecting water is likely to invite mosquitoes. Thankfully, you can work to eliminate these common breeding grounds for mosquitoes and, in turn, keep mosquitoes away from your yard!

Main Breeding Grounds For Mosquitoes Around Your Home

Once they breed, female mosquitoes can lay anywhere from 100-300 eggs at a time. Once the larvae hatch, the mosquitoes will become adults within two week’s time. Because they can reproduce so quickly, it is very important to learn how to stop them from breeding in your yard in the first place. Some of the main areas they will breed include:

  1. Old tires
  2. Tree stumps and wood piles
  3. Children’s play sets
  4. Trash cans
  5. Birdbaths
  6. Gutters
  7. Mud pots
  8. Pools & spas

Mosquito prevention tips for homes in the Sevierville TN area - Johnson Pest Control

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5 Ways to Stop Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are pesky and can quickly take over your yard, keeping you from wanting to venture outside at dawn or dusk! In addition to getting rid of standing water, there a number of ways you can prevent mosquitoes in your property:

  1. Install screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes outside
  2. Avoid going outdoors at dawn and dusk
  3. Fix water leaks or drainage issues promptly
  4. Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed and neat
  5. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply repellent containing DEET

Other Ways to Prevent Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are a nuisance in the summertime. No one wants to deal with hoards of them every time they step out into their backyard, making it important to do all you can to stop them. If you’ve done everything you can to get rid of common breed grounds for mosquitoes and still are dealing with them, contact the mosquito exterminators at Johnson today. Our team has what it takes to keep mosquitoes away for good.

Mosquito Prevention Tips and Tricks

Remove standing water from bird baths to help prevent mosquitoes in your Sevierville TN home - Johnson Pest ControlApril is National Pest Month, and the pest season is just beginning! In the months ahead here in the Sevierville area, pest problems are going to become more and more frequent. With the weather warming up, mosquitoes are a huge threat for homeowners. Thankfully, there are several things you can to lessen the risk of getting mosquitoes in your yard.

The mosquito control experts at Johnson Pest Control are sharing their top mosquito prevention tips in honor of National Pest Month–read on to learn more!

Top Mosquito Prevention Tips

Mosquitoes can be a big nuisance in the warmer months of year. But they’re much more than a nuisance–they can be dangerous, too! To protect you and your family from mosquitoes in the coming months, implement the following mosquito prevention tips into your home maintenance routine:

    1. Keep a tidy yard. Regularly maintain your garden and lawn to keep the grass short. Also trim back all plants and bushes to prevent mosquito resting spots
    2. Eliminate standing water. Dump out standing water in buckets, flower pots, bird baths, tarps, and more. Mosquitoes use standing water to breed!
    3. Install screens on your windows and doors. Doing this can save you the grief of getting mosquitoes inside every time you open a window or door.
    4. Add fish to your ponds and agitate the water. Certain types of fish will feed on mosquito larvae. Also consider placing an agitator, which will stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water.
    5. Get the air moving! Mosquitoes hate wind and are not strong fliers. Use fans to help force them away from your outdoor spaces and patios.

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Preventing Mosquito Bites

One of the biggest concerns of mosquitoes is their bites, which can be dangerous. Whether you’re camping or going to a nearby lake, it’s important to do your best to prevent mosquitoes when outside. Some ways you can do this include:

      • Avoid going outdoors at dusk and dawn, which is when mosquitoes are most active.
      • Try to stay away from swampy areas or spots with standing water.
      • Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
      • Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply an EPA-registered insect repellent.

Professional Mosquito Prevention

If you have done all you can to prevent mosquitoes in your yard but still notice them, it’s time to call your professional mosquito exterminators. At Johnson, we understand how frustrating mosquitoes are and will work with you to develop a custom mosquito prevention plan. Give our team a call today!

Do Mosquitoes & Ticks Transmit Coronavirus?

Mosquitoes and ticks do not transmit COVID-19 in Sevierville TN and worldwide. Learn more from Johnson Pest Control.Here at Johnson Pest Control, we know that our communities are going through many difficulties in the time of COVID-19. As always, we continue to focus on our commitment to protecting our Sevierville TN neighborhoods. As this current pandemic unfolds, there is a lot of information coming out each hour as we learn more and more about this virus. One of the main concerns is, of course, how it is spread. We’ve noticed a lot of inquiries about whether insects can transmit COVID-19 or not. Although data is changing constantly, there is currently no evidence or proof that mosquitoes and ticks transmit coronaviruses. These vector pests are infamous for transmitting diseases worldwide, but COVID-19 is not one of them.

Our team is committed to the health and safety of our customers. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between vector-borne diseases and COVID-19.

Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes and Ticks

Vector pests are organisms that transmit diseases to humans. Mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas are common vectors in that they spread diseases through their bites. Ticks and mosquitoes in particular are known to spread some of the world’s most concerning diseases. Mosquitoes transmit malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever, among others. Ticks, on the other hand, are responsible for transmitting the nation’s most common vector-borne disease: Lyme disease.

Need More Information About Mosquito & Tick-Borne Diseases?

Are Insects Transmitting COVID-19?

The information about coronaviruses is changing constantly, but one thing’s for sure: COVID-19 is not spread by vector pests like mosquitoes and ticks. Some things to know about the coronavirus pandemic include:

  • All research points to the fact that COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that is spread through person-to-person contact.
  • Coronavirus spreads through droplets in the air from saliva or nasal discharge, which is often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It is also able to be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces.
  • SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and now COVID-19 are all known as zoonotic coronaviruses – viruses that have jumped the species barrier from their normal animal hosts to humans.

Pest Control in the Time of Coronavirus

Disease transmission from insects is certainly concerning. Thankfully, mosquitoes and ticks do not transmit the coronavirus from what we currently know. Regardless, we know how distressing mosquitoes can be and are here for you during these uncertain times. It’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of our professional exterminators for all your pest control needs.

With the safety of our communities and customers at the top of our priority list, we encourage everyone to seek more information on COVID-19 and follow guidelines released by the WHO and CDC when it comes to navigating this pandemic safely.

5 Prominent Pests in 2020

year 2020 written in chalk on the ground When it comes to protecting your family and home against pests, hindsight doesn’t have to be 20/20. Johnson Pest Control is helping homeowners prepare for the 2020 pest season by offering insights into anticipated pest activity.

The experts at Johnson Pest Control have used their field experiences and examined trends and company data to determine these five pest predictions. Along with the predictions, we are offering quick tips for homeowners to help keep their homes pest-free* in 2020.

Mice

Warmer than usual winters over the past several years may be to blame for increased mouse populations. With warmer weather predicted for the winter of 2020, mice will continue to reproduce at an alarming rate, which is bad news for homeowners. Mice are year-round pests that invade homes looking for food and shelter to nest.

Homeowner Tips: Mice can squeeze through small openings and gaps under garage doors, door frames, windows, or pipes and cables that penetrate your house. Rodent-proof your home by sealing small cracks and crevices with a silicone-based caulk. Exterior gaps of ¼-inch or larger can be repaired with copper mesh, hardware cloth or metal flashing.

Stinging Pests

Alternating climates cause rippling effects in the pest world, and with mild weather, experts are seeing more yellow jacket and hornet nests. Female yellow jackets and hornets can successfully overwinter in freezing temperatures and will invade structures and manmade or natural voids. When the weather warms up in spring, stinging insects will emerge from their hiding places, ready to start populations earlier in the year.

Homeowner Tips: Since stinging insects can overwinter, they may be out and about at the first sign of warmer weather. Stay alert and look for stinging pests, utilizing a professional pest control service as soon as you spot activity.

Ticks

With outdoor activities, like hiking and camping on the rise, and years of warming winters, humans and their pets may come into contact with ticks more frequently in 2020. The deer tick or black-legged tick, the Lone Star tick, and the American dog tick are ticks of special concern. Nearly 50,000 cases of human tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever were reported in 2018. Pets are also at risk for some of these diseases.

Homeowner Tips: When spending time outdoors, wear an EPA-approved insect repellent. It’s also a good idea to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks, in areas where ticks may be active. Perform tick checks on yourself and any family members, including pets, after spending time outdoors.

Want to Keep Pests Away?

Mosquitoes

If you noticed more mosquitoes this past year, it wasn’t your imagination. If we have another relatively warm, wet winter and spring, mosquito populations could increase by late spring and early summer. Areas of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest are predicted to have above-average rainfall, while most of the U.S. is predicted to be warmer than average this winter.

Homeowner Tips: With an increase in mosquitoes comes the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) reported in 2019. To protect yourself and your family, eliminate standing water from your property and always wear an EPA-approved insect repellent when spending time outdoors.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are the most destructive termites in North America, and they are also the most common termite in Tennessee. According to experts, the two main weather factors that affect termite populations are temperature and rainfall. With warmer and wetter weather predicted for spring, the termite swarming season will be ramping up soon.

Homeowner Tips: To deter subterranean termites, eliminate earth to wood contact and avoid moisture accumulation near your home or structures’ foundation. Because termites can cause such extensive damage, raising homeowner awareness around the need for proactive protection for their homes is critical to prevent costly repairs.

Expert Pest Predictions

The experts at Johnson Pest Control agree that the best step any homeowner can take to prevent pest issues is to have a proactive approach to pest control. With these 2020 pest predictions in mind, utilize the new year to evaluate your current pest control plan and ensure that you have the coverage you need to protect yourself and your family from pests in 2020.

West Nile Virus in Tennessee

West Nile Virus makes its appearance in Tennessee at some point every year. Nashville Metro Public Health officials have alerted that the West Nile Virus has been found in mosquitoes in their area.

Metro Public Health Department’s Pest Management Division has its first positive tests of West Nile after trapping mosquitoes near the intersection of 28th Avenue North and Clifton Avenue. So far, Davidson County residents have escaped contracting the virus this year.

To detect the West Nile Virus officials will collect swaths of mosquitoes from various areas to test for the presence of the virus. This finding is not due to a local resident being diagnose with the West Nile Virus.

So how can you protect yourself from getting the West Nile Virus?

The health department recommends that people decrease their risk to exposure by limiting time outdoors at dusk and night, wearing an effective mosquito repellant and wearing socks, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Screens on windows and doors should also be in good repair.

People can also protect themselves by removing items from their yard that collect water and by cleaning clogged gutters.

There are other methods you can implement to deminsh the mosquito population that we’ve highlighted on this site before. Use mosquito repellant plants, you can even grill away some of the bugs to keep mosquitoes at bay. This report is from Nashville, but West Nile Virus has been in our Knoxville area before and taking precautions is always a good idea.

Warm Weather Brings Out the Mosquitoes and Ticks

Brown Dog TickLocal news station WBIR recently did a news segment on ticks and mosquitoes emergence with the warm weather of spring.

“They like to be active when we like to be active,” said Dr. Karen Vail. “The weather we like the ticks like, too.

A professor of entomology at the University of Tennessee, Vail says ticks are picky, just like us.

“If it’s too hot they are not active, if it’s too cold they are not active, too dry they are not active, too wet they are not active,” said Vail. “So when we like, they like it.”

East Tennesseans likely will see two species – the lone start tick and American dog tick.

Being aware of a tick’s home can help you avoid contact.

“They tend to be in more protected areas like tall vegetation and edges of woods where they are not exposed to direct sun,” said Vail.

If you do come face to face with a tick, Vail gives advice on how to handle that.

“The idea is no matter what tick you have on you, to get it off as soon as you can, grab where it attaches to your skin, pull with steady pressure, treat that wound.”

She says watch for flu-like symptoms because the tick could be infected.

“We have several different disease causing organisms that these ticks can carry and transmit to people,” said Vail.

Ticks and mosquitoes are a reality for so many of us who live for this outdoor weather and love to get up into the mountains and on the trails. Both ticks and mosquitoes you can protect yourself and your family from by using repellents and wearing clothes that cover the body. Mosquitoes are most active in dawn and dusk hours as they tend to be more active feeding during those periods of the day. Ticks are best avoided by avoiding tall grassy areas. They can’t fly through the air and land on you as mosquitoes do. The best they can do is fall on you. If you do go romping through some grassy areas then take time afterwards to check the family, and pets, for ticks.

So as you get out and about this spring be sure to take some quick precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquito and tick bites.

Mosquitoes Chikungunya Disease

With spring weather comes the fun of mosquito season. For years we have been hearing and watching out for West Nile Virus. In addition to West Nile virus, a new disease carried by mosquitoes that local authorities are warning about is Chikungunya disease. For mosquitoes chikungunya disease has its origins in the Caribbean. Since last year it has started to spread throughout the United States.

Local authorities are warning residents.

From WBIR

With warmer weather comes the re-arrival of disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes, which is why the Tennessee Department of Health is urging state travelers to be aware of the growing chikungunya virus.

The first Tennessean to contract the virus did so this past year, and 42 additional cases followed. The one constant? All cases involved travel outside the state.

“Travel plans to warmer destinations should include necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner said in a news release. “Because there is no vaccine to prevent chikungunya virus disease, the only way to prevent its spread is the effective use of repellants and personal protection strategies.”

Chikungunya is rarely fatal but can cause fever, joint and muscle pain, headaches, fatigue and rash.

To best avoid the disease, use insect repellants, treat clothing with products containing permethrin, avoid perfumes and scented deodorants or soap, and wear long, loose and light clothing. These tactics also can ward off other diseases carried by mosquitoes, such as dengue, malaria and West Nile virus.

The Center for Disease Control keeps up to date information about chikungunya spread and worth checking out.

Knox County Mosquito Spraying and West Nile Virus

mosquito spraying west nile virus knox county We have highlighted a few times over the spring and summer ways to keep mosquitoes from making you and your family a gallon club blood donor. The biggest fear with mosquitoes these days comes with the presence of West Nile Virus (What is West Nile Virus). Unfortunately for us here in East Tennessee the West Nile Virus has had its first confirmed case in Knox County.

In response local authorities will begin spraying for mosquitoes around the county.

The Knox County Health Department will spray for mosquitoes for the first time this year on Thursday.

Testing for the West Nile Virus started in May, but the first positive results didn’t turn up until now, which is a little unusual.

“This is the first pool we’ve had that’s tested positive all summer, which we felt very fortunate that we’ve not had any West Nile to show up in humans, horses or mosquitoes, so we are very fortunate to have gone this long without having any West Nile Virus in our community,” said Ronnie Nease, the Director of Public Health for the the Knox County Health Department.

Your neighborhood may not have been tested to have a presence of West Nile, but it more than likely has some mosquitoes. Here are a few quick tips to keep prevent mosquitoes from congregating around your home.

  1. Clean Up Standing Water: Do an inspection around your house and look for pooling water in the yard, on the side of the home (garden hoses are culprits), in pet bowls, flower pots, trash can lids, etc. No amount of water is too little. Remove the standing water by spreading it out, drying off, or whatever means is needed. This is get rid of mosquito breeding areas. This practice is the single most proactive measure to keeping mosquitoes away.
  2. Use Some Prevention: You can create some gardens or grow some plants that will help to keep the mosquitoes away. Putting on some DEET or citronella can assist in keeping the mosquitoes from finding you and your home appealing.
  3. Get a Treatment: If you want something immediate you can get your yard and outside of the home treated for mosquitoes. Treatments today will be effective on into colder fall and winter months. You can do that now and then worry about building those cool bug free gardens in the beginning of spring.

If you suspect that you, your family members, or friends may have contracted West Nile Virus we encourage you to visit the hospital. Most times the WNV is not fatal, but it is a hassle and getting the proper diagnosis and treatment will get everyone back onto life as normal sooner rather than later.

Mosquito Bites Continue Into Fall

Summer is in its final weeks, but that doesn’t mean mosquitoes will disappear with the arrival of cooler weather. We urge people to remain cautious of mosquitoes, as they are known to flourish well into the fall months, continuing to pose a health risk.

Mosquito Bites Continue Into FallAlthough mosquitoes are often associated with the summer heat, they also thrive during the fall season. In fact, mosquitoes will remain active until the temperature drops below 60 degrees, which means the threat of mosquito-borne diseases is still a concern in the coming weeks.

In the United States, mosquitoes are known to spread West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis and, in recent months, chikungunya virus. These illnesses do not have specific vaccines or treatments, so prevention of mosquito bites throughout the fall months is crucial.

As the seasons begin to change, it’s still important for people to apply bug spray containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus when spending time outdoors. This alone will significantly decrease their chances of getting bitten by an infected mosquito.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, also recommends the following tips to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.

  • Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes to protect the skin
  • Minimize outside activity between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
  • Eliminate areas of standing water around the home, such as flowerpots, birdbaths and baby pools. Mosquitoes only need about ½ inch of water to breed
  • Screen all windows and doors, repairing even the smallest holes that could serve as entry points for pests

For more information on mosquitoes or to schedule a mosquito yard treatment contact us anytime.

How to Treat a Mosquito Bite

Child With Multiple Mosquito BitesWhen it comes to spring and summer mosquito bites are just part of landscape. It isn’t a question of ‘if’ you are going to get bitten, but ‘when’. So having a plan on treating those pesky mosquito bites is good planning.

Here are some of the best methods on how to treat a mosquito bite

  1. Wash the bite: Might be a simple start to treating a mosquito bite, but washing the bite with soap and water will help to remove any excess irritants.
  2. Rub on some Ice: Grab an ice cube or two and place onto the bite. This will help to knock down any swelling or sting.
  3. Cream the bite: Always have some antihistamine stick or cream around. You can get many versions of this over the counter at your local pharmacy or grocery store. If you find yourself without a antihistamine then home remedy options could include a cold compress with a green tea bag on the bite. The cold will help with the itch and the tea bag helps with the inflammation. Using an oatmeal wash can also help with the inflammation.
  4. Scotch tape the bite: If you have kids then you know that you can never tell them enough to ‘stop scratching the mosquito bites’. If the bite is scratched too hard it can break open and possibly get infected. Putting some scotch tape over the bite will help give a reminder to not scratch the bite. It is also smooth enough that if you do scratch it will not irritate it too badly.
  5. Grow some aloe: Have a little aloe plant growing in the kitchen or outside. You can break off a piece of the aloe plant and rub it mosquito bite. The plant has anti-inflammatory properties which will help to keep swelling down.
  6. Take a bath: If your case of mosquito bites are really bad then set up a bath in oatmeal, epsom salt, or baking soda to help alleviate the pain.

Mosquito bites can happen without noticing them, especially for the kids. Have a nice stash of items in the house ready to tend to some bites as you get in from some outside fun.

If you are around your own home and experience problems with mosquitoes then give us a call and we can do a thorough mosquito treatment on your yard.