Measure Up Against Mosquitos

Mosquito Prevention

With summer literally in our backyards, it is time to face those pesky mosquitoes. Mosquitoes, in fact, are more than just a nuisance. They are a very large and threatening health issue in the form of an extremely tiny insect. Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases, such as West Nile virus. West Nile virus, in its less threatening form, causes mild flu-like symptoms. However, around every one in 150 cases of West Nile can result in inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord or inflammation of the brain. When you think about how to protect against this problem, you may think of DEET products, citronella candles, and eliminating any standing water in your yard and surrounding area.

However, another very reliable option is Blue Chip Exterminating, located in Fenton, Missouri. This family-owned company has been in existence since 1959 and is now one of the largest independent pest control companies in Missouri. Turning to a family-owned business for mosquito control, versus a national company, means superb customer service and personalized attention. You can rely on Blue Chip Exterminating, which also offers pest control chesterfield, to take all the necessary steps to keep your family safe during all those fun outdoor family activities and cookouts in the backyard. While the goal of Blue Chip Exterminating and pest control Chesterfield is to offer an effective form of mosquito control, how do we keep our pets protected? While they will benefit from mosquito control measures taken in their own yard, the summer is the perfect time for trips to the local river, afternoons at the dog park, and hikes in the woods.

It is easy enough for us to put on a DEET-based insect repellent and enjoy our summer activities. However, these products could be toxic to dogs. Mosquitoes can not only cause West Nile virus in dogs, but they can also cause heartworm. A commercial option is to apply a chemical-based heartworm and insect control product to our pets. However, we may feel the need to supplement this treatment, and services provided by pest control Chesterfield, with natural measures. Lemon juice is a mosquito control option to supplement your monthly dose of commercial heartworm and insect repellent. Lemons can be used as a spot treatment directly on the dog. Avoiding the eyes and any open abrasions, cut a lemon in half and rub the lemon directly on particularly vulnerable areas of the dog, such as the ears, nose, and under the tail and stomach.

A lemon spray application can also be used as added protection. Take six lemons and cut them in half, placing them in one quart of water. Then, bring this water to a boil and allow it to steep for two hours. Following this, let the liquid cool, and then strain the liquid to eliminate any pulp. You can then pour the remaining mixture into a spray bottle and apply to your dog as needed! A final added measure would be to soak your dog’s collar in lemon juice for mosquito control. Dogs are truly a man’s best friend, and we want to take extra care this summer to protect them from harmful mosquitoes. Why not measure up against mosquitoes by using pest control Chesterfield, a commercial heartworm and insect repellent, and an added natural protection to our beloved doggies?

Three Signs That You Need Mole Treatment for Your Yard

You probably don’t think about moles much—you rarely see them, and they tunnel underground, so they’re hard to spot. But one mole can do an enormous amount of damage to your yard in just a short time. You likely don’t just have one mole either . . . you probably have more. Moles have their offspring in the spring, so by the summer time, you could be surrounded by several little eating machines.

Do You Have Moles?

First, you should try to determine if you have moles living in and feasting on your yard. Moles eat earthworms and insect larvae and can tunnel nearly 100 feet EVERY DAY in search of their food. No wonder they can reduce your yards to a bunch of holes!

• The most visible sign of moles are piles of dirt that are triangular, much like a volcano. (If the piles of dirt are C-shaped, that’s a gopher, not a mole.)

• There may also be tunnels in your yard that you can spot on the surface of the grass. Most people think that moles mostly burrow deep underground, and they do, but most of those tunnels are used for traveling from one place to another. Shallow tunnels that you’re likely to see above ground are used by moles for eating worms.

• Near these tunnels, your plants may be dying. That’s because the mole is looking for worms and larvae, which may be near or attached to a plant’s root system. When the mole starts digging around, it can separate the root system from the ground’s nutrients, causing the plant to die.

There are half a dozen of mole species in North America, and they’re all quite destructive, since they can eat up to 100 percent of their body weight in just one day. If you find several different molehills have been created only overnight, there’s a good chance you have more than one mole destroying your property.

There’s good news, though: Most moles do not enter people’s homes, because they aren’t used to traveling on hard surfaces, like a garage or basement floor (plus, their food supply is outside).

If you suspect that your St. Louis home has moles, Blue Chip Pest Control will come out to your home and inspect your yard, and then will visit every other month to trap and treat for moles until they are gone. Blue Chip will eliminate your mole problem so that you can enjoy your yard again.