Give Biting Bugs the Boot This Summer to Protect Yourself & Family
Summer is when we all want to enjoy the great outdoors, but unfortunately, it’s also the prime time for bugs, especially ticks and mosquitoes. These pests are more than just a nuisance. Bug bites can transmit many different types of diseases to the entire family, including pets. This doesn’t mean you have to spend your summer indoors, though. In fact, with these tips from Landscape Pros, you can stay safe while enjoying the great outdoors. Give Biting Bugs the Boot This Summer to Protect Yourself & Family call the “Pros” today.
Preventing Bugs from Invading Your Home and Yard
Use this twofold plan for preventing bug bites: take steps to keep bugs out of your home and yard in the first place, and then make sure you’re protected when you go outdoors.
Tell Bugs to Take a Hike!
You can’t bug-proof the woods when you go on a hike, but you can take action in your own yard to keep bugs away. Ticks love dense areas of plants, which means they’re most likely to hide out in woody spots and tall grass. One of the simplest things you can do is keep your lawn well-manicured so that ticks don’t have a good place to call home. That’s why you should hire an expert from Landscape Pros to get everything into shape and ensure you’ve eliminated trouble spots. Give them a call today at (571) 535-8622 for more information on landscaping services and How to Give Biting Bugs the Boot This Summer to Protect Yourself & Family.
When it comes to removing trees, however, you’ll need to rely on a different group of pros. Since this can be a costly job (between $50 and $1,500 for most trees), you need to research which companies you can trust with the task. Use websites like Angi to research tree removal experts and read reviews before you sign on the dotted line.
Along with getting rid of tall grass and other tick-safe havens, the other thing you can do is eliminate instances of standing water. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so getting rid of it also takes away their breeding ground. Landscaping helps here too because standing water can accumulate in overgrown bushes. Besides the obvious culprits, such as ponds and birdbaths, Popular Mechanics recommends keeping an eye out for unexpected spots too, such as tire swings, kids’ toys, plastic tarps, and potted plants.
Protect Your Family
Because you know that ticks lurk in wooded areas, one way you can protect your family is to be cautious around those areas. For example, children’s playhouses and toys can be moved to an open sunny spot in your yard. If you’re going to be in areas that are hospitable to ticks, make sure everyone dresses in long sleeves and pants, and tuck the bottom of pants into shoes.
Along with covering up, you can also protect yourself with bug repellent. Some people feel most confident using chemical repellents, but you may be just as safe with a natural solution like an essential oil. Even with these measures, there are always risks when you’re outdoors. This is why you should do tick checks on your entire family, including any pets. When you come inside, check all clothing and gear, then check the rest of your body and be sure to shower.
What’s All the Fuss About?
Anyone who has had a mosquito bite knows how irritating they are. Along with over-the-counter medicines like anti-itch creams, there are a number of home remedies that are also highly effective at stopping the itch. The website Gardenista recommends using kitchen staples such as ice, vinegar, and baking soda. Or, you can also use herbal remedies, such as dabbing on essential oils or making a peppermint poultice.
Even though you can manage those annoying itchy bites, mosquitoes and ticks can also carry a few serious diseases. While rare in North America, there is still a risk of contracting West Nile virus from mosquitoes, along with a newer virus called Chikungunya. If you are ever bitten by a tick, you may also be at risk of contracting Lyme disease. This is why it’s so important to prevent exposure, but you also need to know how to properly remove a tick, along with knowing when you should seek treatment if you have been bitten.
Summer is a time many of us look forward to all year long. It’s a time for outdoor adventures, hitting the trails for a hike or a bike ride. It’s when kids play in the yard until the sun goes down, and we have cookouts on the patio. So, don’t let bugs put a damper on the fun! An ounce of prevention, as well as taking quick action when bugs do bite, will keep your whole family safer throughout the long, lazy days to come.
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Give Biting Bugs the Boot This Summer to Protect Yourself & Family