Monthly Archives: April 2020

Raking leaves, planting flowers, and putting down grass seed are probably at the top of your outdoor spring-cleaning task list. If spring mosquito population control isn’t on that list, you may want to consider adding it! Mosquito season in Massachusetts has already started, so it’s important you prepare yourself from their itchy bites. Here are four ways to help control the mosquito population and prevent mosquito breeding in your yard:

1. Empty sitting water. Mosquitoes start to breed in any water that sits for more than four days. Empty out any places around your home where water might collect like gutters, tarps, wheelbarrows, and wading pools to prevent mosquito breeding. Don’t forget your birdbath and pet water bowls. Contrary to some beliefs, koi ponds or water features with running or moving water are not attractive to mosquitoes.
2. Plant mosquito-repelling plants. Lavender, Marigolds, and scented Geraniums are said to ward off mosquitoes. All three plants are hearty enough to withstand Massachusetts weather and are easily grown in pots. Herbs like rosemary, basil, and mint can also help keep mosquitoes away (and they can be used for cooking!). 
3. Attract bats. Bats can eat as many as 1,000 mosquitoes per hour, making them a great source of natural mosquito control. There are nine bat species that live in Massachusetts, including the Eastern Red Bat, Hoary Bat, and the Little and Big Brown Bat. Putting up bat houses in your yard can encourage bats to take up residence in your yard and help decrease your mosquito population.
4. Call the pros at Mosquito Joe. Having a plan in place early for mosquito season in Massachusetts can be critical for curbing the population in your yard, especially if you live in a wet or swampy area. Consider working with a company that specializes in mosquito control to treat wet areas and prevent mosquito breeding before they become problematic.

Mosquito Joe of Walpole-Waltham provides barrier mosquito treatments that work right away and keep working for weeks. When a trained technician arrives at your property to treat your yard, they will spray your yard with an effect barrier treatment that eliminates mosquitoes, ticks and fleas for 21 days. Using a backpack sprayer, your technician will target shrubs and plants that kill outdoor pest on contact and bonds to foliage, where it acts as a repellant for weeks to come.

If you are tired of your outside keeping you inside, give Mosquito Joe of Walpole-Waltham a call today at 508-669-0271 or request a free quote at https://walpole-waltham.mosquitojoe.com/.

Warmer weather means mosquito season has begun in Massachusetts. Mosquitoes can force a cookout inside, make a walk or hike itchy and uncomfortable, and cut a pool party short. More than just a nuisance, mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. Both viruses can cause severe symptoms including death. Don’t worry, you can be prepared with our 2020 mosquito season prediction for Massachusetts.

Predicting Mosquito Season in Massachusetts

There are several factors we can use when predicting how bad the mosquitoes will be this year, but the most important are temperature and rainfall. Mosquitoes prefer temperatures over 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Places that stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit year round are ideal, but anywhere with warm spring and summer months, like Massachusetts, can have a mosquito problem. Increased rainfall typically means an increase in standing water. Since mosquitoes breed in standing water, an increase in standing water means the possibility of more mosquitoes. 

So, will mosquitoes be bad this year? 

The answer is, for Massachusetts, mosquito season will probably be worse than average this year. The National Weather Service has predicted that starting in April, temperatures in Massachusetts will average above 50 degrees. They have also predicted that temperatures will stay above 50 degrees until mid to late October, meaning that mosquito season in Massachusetts will span nearly seven months. They also predict significant rainfall during that time period, making April to mid-October prime mosquito season in Massachusetts.

How you can be prepared

While it may seem like outdoor season in Massachusetts is far off, the reality is that it’s just around the corner. It is important to start preparing your yard for mosquito season so you can enjoy your favorite activities itch-free. Here are some measures you can take to make sure mosquitoes aren’t bugging you:

• Regularly empty ponds, bird baths, fountains, buckets, kids toys and anything else that may gather water.
• Drill holes in tire swings, trash cans and recycle bins so stagnant water cannot accumulate.
• Cut grass and shrubs short – adult mosquitoes gather to rest in shady areas.
  Clean out gutters to avoid standing water.
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.

• Let Mosquito Joe be your second line of defense by getting a barrier treatment that protects your yard from mosquitoes, ticks and fleas

While these are just predictions, it is better to take precautions and schedule your mosquito service now. Mosquito Joe of Walpole-Waltham is here to make outside fun again for you and your family by protecting you from mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. Give us a call today at 508-669-0271 or request a free quote at https://walpole-waltham.mosquitojoe.com/.