Protect Yourself From Insects This Summer

Summer has arrived, and with summer comes insects. Furthermore, June 3rd is Insect Repellent Awareness Day, so Best Pest Control wants to take the opportunity to share with you the importance of taking precautions to avoid mosquitos and ticks. Take a look at the ways you can prevent them from taking over your lawn and summertime fun:


Avoid Insect Habitats
Typically ticks and mosquitos can be found in specific areas. For ticks, they generally tend to dwell in tall grass or wooded areas. You may come into contact with ticks during outdoor activities around your home or when walking through leaf litter or near shrubs. Always walk in the center of trails in order to avoid contact with ticks. Mosquitos prefer areas near bodies of water for breeding purposes. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant, standing fresh water oftentimes found around the home. Mosquitoes rest in tall grass, weeds, and brush near inhabited locations such as homes and other buildings.

Wear Appropriate Clothing
You can minimize areas of exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, boots, and hats. Tucking in shirts, tucking pants into socks, and wearing closed shoes instead of sandals may reduce risk. The less skin exposed the better chance of avoiding bites. Mosquitoes can't penetrate clothing that has a very tight weave. While cotton and linen typically aren't great armor against bug bites, many synthetic fibers tend to be woven tightly enough to keep mosquitoes out. Any garment that offers sun protection will also have a tight enough weave to block bites.

Use A Topical Insect Repellent
Insect repellents are important tools for prevention of insect-borne diseases as well as painful or uncomfortable insect bites. Repellents or insecticides, such as permethrin, can be applied to clothing and gear for added protection. Before doing any outdoor activities, be sure to spray down with a product with DEET or Picaridin. Sweating or swimming may decrease the amount of time the repellent is effective for, so depending on the activity you are partaking in, you should reapply accordingly.

Check For Ticks
Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks effectively. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, which even includes your back yard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body

Have Your Lawn Treated

Rather than trying to treat your lawn yourself, it's best to have a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks do the treating for you. Pest control products contain chemicals that if handled incorrectly can be hazardous. Best Pest Control has the proper knowledge and experience to use mosquito and tick control chemicals properly so as to avoid damage to property or health risk to people and pets. 


By following these simple guidelines while you're enjoying your outdoor summer activities, you'll more easily prevent mosquito and tick bites. Don't forget that the best way to prevent these pesky insects from taking over your lawn is to call Best Pest Control and have us come out to treat your lawn. We have a defense against pests in central Missouri so you do not have to worry. Call us today for a free estimate!

THE LAKE'S MOST TRUSTED PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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573-348-1600 in Osage Beach

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