Author: Wendy Holtz

Our Guide to Mosquito-Borne Illnesses in Central Florida

If you live in Central Florida, you know that mosquitoes are a fact of life. Unfortunately, these pesky insects can do more than just annoy you with their buzzing and biting. Mosquitoes can transmit a variety of diseases, some of which can be serious and even deadly. Here’s our guide to mosquito-borne illnesses in Central Florida, including how to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes.

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is one of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses found in Central Florida. Symptoms can range from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe and even deadly illnesses. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle weakness, and skin rash. To protect yourself, you should avoid being outdoors during mosquito peak hours, wear long clothing, and use mosquito repellent with DEET.

Learn More: How Can I Control Mosquitoes at an Outdoor Event?

Zika Virus

In 2016, Florida saw its first outbreak of the Zika virus. Zika can be transmitted through mosquito bites and can lead to severe birth defects in pregnant women. Symptoms can include fever, rash, joint pain, and muscle pain. The best way to protect yourself from Zika is to avoid mosquito bites, use condoms during sexual activity, and eliminate standing water around your home.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but serious disease that can result in swelling of the brain. Symptoms can include headache, fever, vomiting, and seizures. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for EEE, so prevention is key. You should protect yourself by wearing long clothing, avoiding the outdoors during peak mosquito hours, and using insect repellent with DEET.

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever is transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause symptoms such as severe headache, joint pain, and rash. Although Dengue Fever is more commonly found in tropical areas, there have been cases reported in Florida in recent years. To prevent Dengue Fever, you should use mosquito repellent with DEET, wear long clothing, and keep your home and surroundings clean and free of standing water.

Learn More: The Ultimate Guide to Mosquitoes in Florida: How to Prevent Infestation

Chikungunya Virus

Chikungunya Virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and can result in fever, joint and muscle pain, and skin rash. Chikungunya is primarily found in Africa and Asia, but there have been cases reported in Florida. To protect yourself from Chikungunya Virus, you should use insect repellent with DEET, wear long clothing, and eliminate standing water around your home.

Don’t Resort to Pesticides in the Fight Against Mosquitoes

But what about preventing mosquitoes in the first place? Many people turn to insecticides and pesticides to control mosquito populations around their homes, but these can be harmful to the environment and may not be effective in the long run. That’s where Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control comes in. Our eco-friendly mosquito control treatments target mosquito larvae where they breed, without harming other beneficial insects or the environment.

Protect Your Family From Mosquito-Borne Illnesses With the Help of Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control

We hope this guide has provided you with helpful information on the most common mosquito-borne illnesses found in Central Florida. If you’re worried about the presence of mosquitoes in your home or yard, contact Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Debary for eco-friendly mosquito control treatments that not only work but do so without harming the environment. Protect yourself and your family from the dangers of mosquito-borne illnesses today! Call us at (407) 880-6655 for your free consultation.

What Your Lawn Is Telling You – Common Problems & Solutions

Did you know your lawn is always trying to communicate with you? There are several signs and symptoms that indicate your lawn is in distress and understanding them can help you diagnose and solve them effectively. Read on to discover what your lawn might be telling you and suggest some solutions to fix them.

Yellow or Brown Spots

If you see yellow or brown spots on your lawn, it could be a sign of various issues. One of the most common causes is overwatering, which can cause root rot and other problems.

On the other hand, if the brown spots are patchy and located in high-traffic areas, they might be a result of compaction, a condition that arises when the soil gets too tightly packed, making it difficult for the roots to absorb nutrients.

Solution: In case of overwatering, try to adjust your watering schedule and decrease the amount of water you apply. You might also want to aerate your lawn to reduce compaction and improve airflow through the soil. If the issue persists, consult a professional for further advice.

Bare Patches

Bare patches on your lawn are not only unattractive but can also lead to erosion and weed infestation. One of the most common causes of bare patches is thatch, a layer of dead plant material that accumulates between the soil and grass stems.

Solution: The solution for bare patches is to rake away any thatch and reseed with the appropriate grass type—talk to your trusted lawn care professionals to determine what type is best for your yard. You can also use sod or plugs if the area is more significant.

Weeds

Weeds can be unsightly, but they can also cause long-term damage to your lawn by competing with your grass for nutrients and water.

Solution: The solution is to apply a pre-emergent herbicide early in the growing season to prevent weeds from germinating. If weeds have already taken over, you can try to use a post-emergent herbicide to kill them.

Pest Infestations

Pest infestations can be a significant threat to your lawn’s health and can be challenging to detect until they’ve already done significant damage. In Florida, there’s no shortage of pests that can destroy your beautiful lawn, including grubs, chinch bugs, and so much more.

Solution: The solution is to identify the pests infesting your lawn and use the appropriate control method. You may also consider using organic or natural methods to avoid harming beneficial insects and pollinators.

Is Your Lawn in Distress? Call the Lawn Care Experts at Service Choice of Ft. Lauderdale

Understanding what your lawn is trying to tell you is the key to maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn. Be vigilant with the signs and symptoms of common problems and take proactive steps to solve them before they become severe. If you’re not sure what’s causing the problems, don’t hesitate to consult the lawn care experts at Service Choice of Fort Lauderdale. Call us today at (954) 568-9955 to take the first step toward a lush, green lawn.

Here’s Why House Fans Are Not Efficient in Keeping Away Mosquitoes Long-Term

During the hot summer months, there’s nothing more refreshing than the cool breeze from a fan. Apart from cooling you down, some people also use fans to keep mosquitoes away. While fans help create a breeze and make it difficult for mosquitoes to land on a person, they are not an effective long-term solution for keeping mosquitoes at bay. Keep reading to explore why house fans are not efficient in keeping away mosquitoes long-term.

Mosquitoes Can Fly Around Fans

Mosquitoes have a certain level of resilience, and they can easily fly around a fan’s breeze. According to Entomologists, mosquitoes have long legs which help them stand on surfaces and walls at an angle to avoid the wind.

Also, mosquitoes possess strong sensory organs that can detect human body heat and the carbon dioxide that humans exhale. This helps the mosquitoes find their way towards their human victims even if there’s a fan or another wind source in the room.

Learn More: Can Mosquitoes Bite Through Clothes? 4 Tips to Keep Them Away This Summer

Fans Do Not Repel Mosquitoes

Fans are incapable of repelling mosquitoes. If they did, a room with a fan would be mosquito-free, but that’s not the case. Mosquitoes are attracted to body heat, human scent, and carbon dioxide. Fans don’t change these factors, so they don’t repel mosquitoes. Though the air blown by fans can make it difficult for mosquitoes to land on someone, they can still fly around a fan and bite whoever is in the room.

Fans Do Not Kill Mosquitoes

While it is true that mosquitoes are weak flyers, fans cannot kill them. Mosquitoes are lightweight and fly slow, but the force generated by a fan’s blades is not enough to kill them. Even if by chance a fan blows a mosquito into its blades, it would only knock it off, especially if the blades are moving at a low speed. In short, fans only make it difficult for mosquitoes to land, but they don’t eliminate them.

Learn More: What Is the New Invasive Bug in Florida?

Fans Are Not Enough to Keep Your Home Mosquito-Free

If you’re looking for a long-term solution to keep mosquitoes away from your home, a fan is not enough. Even with fans running full blast, mosquitoes can still find a way to get in the room and bite you.

You need additional measures such as screens, mosquito nets, and meshes to keep your home mosquito-free. These methods create physical barriers that prevent mosquitoes from entering the room. While some homeowners resort to pesticides for mosquito control, these products aren’t safe for families, pets, or beneficial insects.

The Safe, Reliable Solution for Mosquito Control

Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer fun. Rather than resorting to harmful pesticides to get your yard mosquito-free, rely on the mosquito control experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Leesburg. Our eco-friendly mosquito control methods keep these stinging insects away, all without harming the environment. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free estimate!

How Can I Get Rid of Black Houseflies?

It’s a beautiful day, and you’re excited to relax in your cozy home- only to find that there are black houseflies buzzing around. We all know how annoying these pesky little insects can be, and they can even cause health problems if left unchecked. Here’s the good news: getting rid of them isn’t as hard as it may seem. Here are some effective ways to get rid of black houseflies in your home—for good!

Clear Up Any Food and Garbage

Black houseflies are attracted to rotten food, garbage, feces, and other forms of waste. Make sure you clear out the garbage regularly, preferably using airtight bins with covers. Clean any leftover food remnants from countertops, floors, dishes, and sinks. This will eliminate the flies’ food source, thus making it less appealing for them to stay.

Eliminate Standing Water

Standing water is the perfect breeding ground for black houseflies, so any water left in potted plants, sinks, or even in the bottom of your refrigerator is fair game. Check any leaky pipes and faucets in your home. Empty any plant saucers and dishes after watering and make sure they drain completely. Mop up any puddles quickly and air-dry any wet clothes.

Use Natural Repellants

Black houseflies are known to be repelled by the scent of certain essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender. You can use these oils in a diffuser or spray bottle to create a natural fly repellent. You can also plant herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary in your garden or pots as another natural deterrent.

Other natural repellants can also discourage houseflies from making themselves at home in your house. For instance, a mix of apple cider vinegar and dish soap works great as a trap for these pesky pests.

Cover Up Openings

One of the most effective ways to control black housefly populations in your home is to eliminate their entry points. You should fill any holes, gaps, or cracks in your home’s walls, windows, and doors with caulk or glue. Replace any damaged screens. You can also use weatherstripping around all doors and windows to seal any cracks or gaps. Doing so may not only help prevent flies from entering but also keep your home cooler.

Call Your Pest Control Experts

Black houseflies are resilient. If you truly want to get rid of these nuisance and unsanitary pests for good, you can’t go wrong when you hire a professional pest control company. Service Choice of Oakland Park specializes in black housefly control. We’re trained and experienced in identifying the species and location of the housefly infestation, which enables them to come up with the best strategy to get rid of the flies completely. Call us today at (954) 568-9955 for your free pest control evaluation!