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2018 Mosquito Season Forecast

insects

Mosquito Season 2018: What to expect

There are so many things to look forward to this summer. From BBQ’s with friends and family to days spent by the pool– it’s an exciting time of year for many. One thing you’re probably not looking forward to this summer? Those extremely annoying, buzzing-in-your-ear, feasting-on-your-flesh, pesky mosquitoes.  This mosquito season is shaping up to be just as bad, if not worse than past seasons. If you recall, mosquito season 2017 was made worse by a significantly warm winter and a wet spring. While it’s true that these conditions led to the horrible mosquito season, the reverse isn’t necessarily true. Although we just experienced an unusually cold, long winter, it was extremely wet and this residual water created the ideal breeding ground for all bugs, including mosquitoes. Plus, many species of mosquitoes have adapted to survive in the cold. Now that temperatures are beginning to heat up, we are likely to see mosquito populations flourish. Temperature plays a huge role in when mosquito season begins, peaks, and ends. This means mosquito season will vary by region. Generally speaking, the season will start when temps are consistently 50º or above. This is when mosquitos will come out of hibernation and previously laid eggs will hatch. The season will reach its peak in the height of summer, as the bugs thrive in high temperatures. When temps dip below 50º, the season is over. Unfortunately, mosquito bites are more than just an annoyance during the warmer months. These bloodthirsty bugs carry a number of life-threatening diseases from the West Nile virus, to Zika and more. When mosquitos innocently take a bite of you, they transmit the diseases they’re carrying to you. Mosquitos are a real danger!  Taking precautions against mosquitos in the summer is so important.  Here are some things you can do to protect you and your family this summer:

  • Eliminate any sources of standing water in your yard (even the tiniest amount of water is enough for breading). 
  • Keep rain gutters clean to prevent standing water.
  • Remove unnecessary vegetation from your yard as the bugs breed in it.
  • Consider using yellow bug light bulbs in outdoor fixtures to reduce the number of flying insects (like mosquitoes) around your home. 
  • Screen windows and doors to prevent bugs from getting in. 
  • Don’t go outside without some type of bug repellent on and wear clothing that covers bare skin whenever possible. Don’t just rely on repellent candles.
  • Grow plants that naturally repel mosquitoes in your yard. 
  • Be aware of local cases involving diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
  • Know what your town or city is doing to protect its residents from mosquitoes and the transmission of their diseases. 

If you’re still seeing bugs despite your efforts or are looking for extra protection, consider having your yard sprayed for mosquitos. The treatment sets up an invisible barrier around your yard that prevents mosquitoes from entering your property and potentially infecting you.  Many people find spraying their yard to be the only way to keep mosquitos out.  But don’t take our word for it. Take a look at some of the reviews of homeowners who have implemented mosquito control: “We’ve been customers for many years and have enjoyed several of your services!  We currently have mosquito control, pest control, bed bug protection, and termite protection.  This summer we added the mosquito control because we were not able to enjoy our backyard last summer due to the millions of mosquitos. It is amazing the difference!  I would recommend the mosquito treatments very highly!”

  • Debra Russell, Mosquito Control Customer

So what do you say? Instead of counting the number of scars you accumulated from bug bites at the end of the summer, count all the fun memories you created in a mosquito free yard.  In preparation for mosquito season, be sure to schedule a mosquito control service with us!

2018 Mosquito Season Forecast

Bedbug inspection

How to Know if Your Hotel Has Bedbugs

Upon entering a hotel room, do you typically reach for the tiny toiletries, take a leap onto the bed, or perhaps start by inspecting for bed bugs? Knowing what to look for is essential. Anticimex Carolinas Service Manager Christian Tweed has shared valuable insights on identifying bed bugs in your hotel room and preventing them from hitching a ride back home with you. And if bed bugs do become an unexpected part of your vacation, remember that Clark’s Pest Control is here to assist!



Q&A with a Pest Professional


How do bed bugs get inside hotels?


Bed bugs are primarily hitchhiking insects as opposed to foraging ones, meaning that they get carried around on people’s clothes and belongings. Someone with an active infestation in their home can easily bring bed bugs to their hotel, but they can also be picked up during travel (airplanes, taxis, and rideshare services) and brought to a hotel room.


What do people misunderstand about bed bugs in hotels?


From a probability standpoint, all hotels will deal with bed bugs at some point in time. If you think about a bed bug’s method of travel, there’s literally nothing a hotel can do to stop them from being carried in. What I have realized is that luxury hotels are more likely to have an aggressive response to dealing with a bed bug case once it’s identified as they tend to have a higher quality of service and a reputation to protect. While this isn’t always the case, it has been my experience more often than not.

Got bedbugs? Call Clark’s at 866-781-4991 today!

What do you recommend travelers do when they get to their room to check for bed bugs?


Most hotel headboards hang directly on the wall. I start my inspection here before even looking at the bed itself. I have found bed bugs, their exoskeletons, and the telltale black stains they leave behind around the edges of or in the crevices of headboards. If the headboard looks clean, move on to looking over the pillowcases and comforter for any signs or stains. You can dig into the bedding as deep as you want here, but I encourage people to look over the top layer of things at the very least.


What are some lesser-known signs of bed bugs in your hotel room?


The specifics of the black stains they leave behind, which as gross as it sounds, are just digested blood as that’s all that bed bugs feed on. If the stains are on a hard surface, they will be small dots as if left behind by an ink pen and will smear into a brownish gray when moisture is applied. If they’re on fabric, they will usually bleed along the fibers making a small diamond, square or X shape.


If there are bed bugs in your hotel room, can they travel home with you?


They absolutely can, however this is easy to prevent. While staying in a hotel, keep as much of your clothing and luggage off the beds as possible. Storing suitcases in the bathroom might sound odd, but it’s an effective method of prevention.

Don’t tackle bedbugs yourself, call Clark’s at 866-781-4991!

What should you do with your suitcase if you suspect your hotel has bed bugs?


When arriving home from a trip, leave your luggage in the garage or on a porch and bring your clothes in one load of laundry at a time. If the clothes are dirty, wash them like you normally would, if they’re clean then run them through the dryer for at least forty-five minutes. Once your suitcase is empty, vacuum over it meticulously (don’t forget to empty the vacuum when you’re done), or if you’re in the right climate, expose it to heat for a few days by placing it in your vehicle (parked in the sun) or for a few weeks in your attic.


The Clark’s Solution


If you brought bed bugs back to you home, Clark’s is here to help. Our Bedbug Control service is designed to eliminate bedbugs and create a safe, comfortable environment.


A Clark’s Pest Professional will do an inspection and recommend a plan of attack to get rid of bed bugs now and prevent them from hatching in the future. Call Clark’s at 866-781-4991 today for more information.



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