Mosquito Control

While some Houston residents have already tested positive for Zika, each of these cases was likely the result of international travel. However, health officials last week reported what is likely to be the first local transmission for the state. The patient, a woman living in Cameron County near Brownsville at the Mexico–US border, had no recent travel history. This means the virus may have spread to … Read More

Mosquitoes are a member of the fly or Diptera order of insects. Beyond their annoying bites and itchy welts, mosquitoes are known to spread diseases. Because the females feed on blood they play host to some amazingly complex and deadly pathogens such as those responsible for malaria, dog heartworm, yellow fever, Dengue fever, and several forms of encephalitis. What is … Read More

  It’s no coincidence that mosquito-repellent clothing lines are taking center stage today. As images of babies born infected with Zika spread around the world, pregnant women are adjusting their lifestyles to limit their exposure to mosquitoes. Whether you live near a Zika transmission zone or just worry that your hometown will soon become the next official zone, you’re focus … Read More

  Recently, the news has been bombarded with stories about the Zika virus and the detrimental effects it has to newborns born to someone with an infection. During warm, humid weather, mosquitoes tend to be high in number, making those who frequent the outdoors prone to being bitten. The clothing one wears can actually have beneficial properties in keeping mosquito bites … Read More

It is nearly impossible these days to escape the reports of new Zika virus cases. The virus has spread like wildfire, and it is turning into a worldwide health crisis. Most people know that the Zika virus is transferred to humans through mosquito bites, however there are very few people in the world that realize the Zika carrying insect is … Read More

  Zika is the latest frightening insect-borne virus to hit the scene. Previously thought to be a mild infection that was asymptomatic in most cases, a link between zika and birth defects was recently discovered as the virus spread to South America. It is now known that zika infection in pregnant women can cause microcephaly – a severe birth defect … Read More

Do mosquito-repellent clothes really work? With the arrival of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in the United States — and the first Zika-related death happening in our own backyard — outdoor clothing companies are advertising products that can supposedly protect against mosquito-borne illnesses. But just how does your wardrobe prevent mosquito bites? Repellent-Treated Threads Clothing that has been pretreated with insect repellent … Read More

When it rains heavy, floods and mudslide aren’t the only things that can come. Mosquitos follow in percussion. While much water is appreciated in areas suffering from drought, you must be prepared that the little blood suckers will come with it. Mosquitos don’t just cause itchy, swollen bites. They can carry diseases like West Nile Virus or the Zika virus. … Read More

  With the Zika virus arriving in the United States, mosquitoes have been in the news quite often. Most mosquitoes can carry and transmit dangerous diseases, but the Zika virus ratchets up the concern a notch as it targets unborn babies. That’s why today’s technology is tackling the problem head-on with mosquito repellent clothing but does it really work? How … Read More

Standing Water in the Mosquito Life Cycle There are multiple species of mosquitoes, all with one requirement in common. All of these species need standing water in order to go through their life cycle, which includes four stages (egg, larva, pupa, and adult). As such, if you make sure to eliminate any standing water in your surroundings, you can potentially … Read More

  Late summer is prime time for mosquito infestation. With humidity and temperatures at an overall high, mosquitoes breed very easily and in the most inconspicuous places. Right in your backyard there may be dozens of breeding grounds for these pests that will contribute to the ongoing problem of mosquitoes. With the rise of concerns about the Zika and West Nile viruses, reducing … Read More

Since the breakout of the Zika virus, everyone has been wondering how safe they are and what they can do to protect themselves. This is especially important for pregnant women, since Zika is known to cause birth defects. The Zika virus is carried and spread by the Aedes mosquito. While no cases have been reported as originating from the Aedes … Read More

There has been widespread concern and uncertainty about the spread and effects of the Zika Virus. Recently a mother gave birth to the first U.S.-born infant with the tragic birth defects related to the virus in Harris County, Texas, Zika. The woman was infected while traveling in Columbia, but experts are bracing themselves for a second wave of Zika-infected expectant mothers. Doctors have … Read More

  It is not necessary to live with mosquitos and the potential danger that a bite can cause. It is best to call a professional. If you are seeing just a few though, there are some remedies that you can do to prevent a wide-scale infestation. Standing Water One of the major breeding grounds for mosquitos is standing water. Homeowners … Read More

  Utah officials remain stumped about how a Salt Lake City man contracted the Zika virus. Although the man was caring for his father, who died from Zika, he had not traveled to an infected area outside the U.S. How Zika Spreads Humans contract the virus via the bite or sting of an carrier insect or animal, or by having … Read More

  Keeping your yard free and clear of mosquitoes has never been more important. Viruses spread by these tiny insects, such as West Nile and Zika, cause serious health concerns. Although using repellents such as foggers and spray may help with some temporary relief, you need to get to the root of the problem to completely rid yourself of the … Read More

A pregnant woman in Utah County has been diagnosed with an infection of the Zika virus. She had recently moved to Utah from another part of the world affected by the Zika virus. The Zika virus primarily spreads by mosquitoes, and causes only a mild illness in most people. However, unlike other diseases of the flaviviridae family (like West Nile or dengue), the Zika virus … Read More

  Summer conditions often create ideal conditions for increased mosquito activity. Flooding rains create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and then the hot summer temperatures provide the perfect hatching environments. Rain Water Mosquitos lay their eggs in water, so flooding rains are ideal. Those heavy rainstorms leave behind puddles and standing water which foster mosquito larva. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in … Read More

  Nobody likes the festering, itchy bites that accompany a mosquito infestation. But considering the gamut of diseases carried by the little bloodsuckers — such as Zika, West Nile virus, malaria and others — mosquito bites can also be deadly. The scariest part is that mosquitos and their potentially deadly viruses could be breeding right in your back yard! Read … Read More

  The regional Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District is taking measures to prevent and control the risk of humans becoming infected with the West Nile virus after a sample of mosquitos collected in Eastvale tested positive in mid-June. As of June 24, Riverside County was one of 21 counties in California with West Nile virus (WNV) activity, although there … Read More

Chikungunya is another dangerous mosquito borne illness, similar in some ways to the Zika virus, but many Texas residents are unaware of what it means or how it has traveled to the United States. The Texas Department of State Health Services has recently announced the first local case of chikungunya, marking the first known spread of the virus to the … Read More

  Nearly everyone knows the awful sensation, the quiet buzz, then the irritating little sting. It means mosquitoes have arrived, and they’ve found whatever skin you’ve left vulnerable. Many people may not know much about mosquitoes except how they ruin your camping trip or backyard barbecue. We will explore how certain weather patterns affect mosquito activity, so you can be … Read More

Zika is a virus that is transmitted by a certain species of mosquito, the Aedes. It originates from climates that are more tropical in nature, but in recent months there have been reports of people infected with Zika in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been working to learn more … Read More

Getting pregnant is a time of great excitement for many women. The idea of bringing a new life into the world can be one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable. At the same time, such a responsibility no doubt comes with risks and the worry of potential complications. Unfortunately one of those complications is becoming more common and is often … Read More

How is Zika prevented and/or treated? There is not currently an approved vaccination for the Zika virus. Though a vaccine is being aggressively researched, the WHO (World Health Organization) anticipates that it will take at least 18 months before clinical trials can take place. How is the Zika virus transmitted? The virus infects people through the bite of an infected … Read More

  Mosquitos carry diseases.  Therefore, they can potentially cause sickness and death.  Also, they’re just a nuisance, and can ruin outdoor recreation activities.  These tiny insects can create huge problems. How can you protect yourself?  Keep mosquitos out of your yard, off your patio, and away from your desk.  Know where they live, how to repel them, and how to … Read More

Pest control is a buzzing business, and in Houston, one of our greatest adversaries is the mosquito. Mosquitos are a nuisance insect that’s been around for millions of years. And for millions of years, humans have tried everything to eradicate this bloodsucking creature. Aside from leaving behind an itchy bite, mosquitos have been linked to transmitting harmful infections such as … Read More

The Zika virus is a serious disease that is spread primarily through mosquito bites. While there is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus, you can protect yourself and your family by understanding how it is transmitted and taking some simple steps to avoid it. Transmission Like the dengue and chikungunya viruses, the Zika virus is most commonly spread through mosquito … Read More

Spring is the perfect time for a get together. As the new time of the year starts to softly roll in, you may start to think about how best to clean your house and welcome in the new weather. Unfortunately, spring can be the time when unwanted pests also come to life. Preventing spring pests from invading your home is … Read More

  Do mosquitoes seem to follow you wherever you go? With a few tips, you can identify mosquito bites, and learn how to fend off mosquitoes outdoors and inside your home. Mosquitoes can cause more harm than an annoying bite Mosquitoes cause an annoying bite but can potentially make you sick. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) points out that … Read More

Mosquitoes can quickly spoil the fun of a picnic, camping trip or a barbecue. Not only do they buzz around your ears, but also they bite with their mouthpart, which causes an itchy bite. Identifying a Mosquito Bite You will often catch a mosquito in the act of stinging your body: that’s the most obvious way of identifying what caused … Read More