There is nothing more annoying that having to swat at mosquitoes as you try to enjoy your Texas backyard. Worse still, these buggers can also carry West Nile Virus (WNV) to humans and heartworm to dogs and cats.

As your Lewisville lawn mowing service, we want to give you some tips to keep you, your loved ones, and pets safe from mosquito bites, as well as share some information on how to reduce your backyard’s mosquito population.

Mosquitoes are bad for your health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WNV is the most common virus to infect people in the U.S. The CDC states mosquitoes that carry WNV bite between early evening through early morning. And there is no way to vaccinate against WNV; your best defense is to wear insect repellent.

Fortunately only 1 in 5 people will develop a fever and other WNV symptoms. And in less than 1% of the population infected with WNV will get seriously ill or die from the disease.

Heartworm Alert!

Cats, dogs and ferrets can contract heartworm from an infected mosquito. In dogs, heartworm can be fatal because adult female heartworms release their offspring called microfilariae. And if a mosquito bites an infected dog, it will ingest those microfilariae that turn into larvae over the following 1014 days. The cycle continues when the infected mosquito bites another dog, infecting him/her with the larvae that turns into heartworm. And the cycle continues on.

Heartworm can live up to five to seven years in a dog. Female worms can grow up to 10”-12” and male worms can grow to 4”-6”. They look like cooked spaghetti living in the dog’s heart and lungs. There are four classes of heartworm disease in dogs, ranging from mild to severe. Not all dogs die from heartworm.

Cats are resistant hosts for heartworm, so their symptoms are less severe since the worms don’t thrive as well in a cat’s body. Ferrets, like dogs, are susceptible to heartworm, but their bodies respond similar to a cat’s response.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound a cure when it comes to heartworm in dogs, cats and ferrets. Your veterinarian can guide you to the best preventative heartworm treatments available.

The 3 D’s of Mosquito Protection

There is an organization called the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and they give tips on mosquito prevention and protection. They suggest the following:

  1. Drain any standing water on your property. Mosquitoes need water to breed. You eliminate mosquito breeding grounds when you
    • Get rid of tires
    • Drill holes in the bottom of your recycling container
    • Clean out gutters
    • Clean dog or cat water dishes on a regular basis
    • Empty water from children’s toys
    • Change your birdbath’s water at least once a week
    • Turn over your canoes and kayaks to avoid pooling water
    • Repair outdoor faucets that are leaking
    • Check for outdoor objects where water can pool or puddle. Then empty or turn over those objects.
  2. Dress in light colors and loose fitting clothing. Mosquitoes love dark clothing and their bites can penetrate through tight clothing to your skin.
  3. Defend yourself and your loved one by using an insect repellent that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has approved these repellent ingredients: DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Talk to your doctor before applying DEET to young children.

Plants Mosquitoes Hate

You can add another level of protection around your home by installing plants that mosquitoes hate. As your Lewisville lawn mowing service, we want you to know the plants that will help reduce mosquitoes on your lawn and landscapes:

  1. Basil
  2. Catnip
  3. Citronella
  4. Lavender
  5. Lemon balm
  6. Marigold.

Indeed, you can’t fully eliminate mosquitoes from your property during the summer. Yet, as your Lewisville lawn mowing service, we at Main Street Mowing recommend following these suggestions to reduce your susceptibility to mosquito bites.

Are you looking for a reliable, professional lawn mowing company? We not only serve Lewisville lawn mowing clients, but we also mow lawns in Flower Mound and Highland Village. Give us a call at 214-317-8301 or chat with us, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sources:

AMCA. “Mosquito Prevention and Protection,” http://goo.gl/OPE1Um.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Prevent Mosquito Bites,” http://goo.gl/8r2OOL.

Figy, Stephanie. “6 Mosquito Repellent Plants to Keep Pests Away,” Angie’s List: http://goo.gl/M6ML3A.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Keep the Worms Out of Your Pet’s Heart! The Facts about Heartworm Disease,” http://goo.gl/NohlQ.