Avoid Summer's Sting: Tips To Control Mosquitoes, Wasps & Hornets

Avoid Summer's Sting: Tips To Control Mosquitoes, Wasps & Hornets

Sting and bite and scratch, scratch, scratch. It’s that time of year again when wasps and hornets and mosquitoes begin invading homes everywhere. Let us give you a few tips to help ensure your backyard doesn’t become a mosquito breeding ground or prime location for wasp and hornet nests.

Mosquitoes

Has your region had a particularly rainy spring? If so, then you may see an abundant and extended mosquito season, because mosquitoes breed in standing water. Keeping your yard free of standing water is the single most important step you can take to ensure your backyard isn't an open invitation to breeding mosquitoes.

Here are some easy ways to prevent breeding on your property: 

mosquitoes

  • Dispose of old tires, buckets, flower pots and other containers in your yard that collect water.
  • Drill holes into the bottom of tire swings.
  • At least once per week change the water in birdbaths and wading pools.
  • Turn over plastic swimming pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
  • Repair leaky outdoor faucets that can create a pool of stagnant water and clean clogged roof gutters.
  • Add No Mess Mosquito Larvacide Pouches into fish ponds, bird baths, gutters, rain barrels or any standing water. Kill mosquitoes in their breeding spots!
  • Clear driveways and walkways of rain puddles.
  • Add a Garbage Guard to your trash can to prevent a common breeding ground

Wasps & Hornets

Wasp or hornet stings can be a more dangerous problem, as they can cause serious life-threatening allergic reactions in some people. The best course of action is to monitor insect activity in your yard and eliminate nests whenever possible.  Often times, nests aren’t very large and can be built into any crack, gap or sheltered place. These nests are made from paper-like material or mud. Look for above ground nests in sheltered locations such as dense bushes or trees; wall voids; attics; behind shutters, children’s play sets, mailboxes or light fixtures.

Here are a few tips on how to get rid of the nests and stinging insects you find around your home:

  • Use a foaming Wasp & Hornet Killer which will allow you to entrap the entire nest wasp
  • Stand a safe distance from the nest- most sprays will reach 15-20’
  • Spray the opening of the nest until soaked and then spray the rest of the nest. The entrapping foam will remain on the nest to kill insects that return.
  • Wait at least 24 hours before removing the nest.
  • Also spray around areas where insects can enter your home, including gaps around outdoor plumbing and vents, cracks or crevices in foundations and along sills and ledges.

Let TERRO® Research Director Stew Clark show you how it's done!

 
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