Mosquito Prevention: Do’s and Don’ts

A micro photo of a mosquito on a person's skin.

Summer in Vermont is a special time of year. The weather is warm during the day but nights are cool and comfortable, making it the perfect weather for many outdoor activities. While you are outside enjoying your summer barbeques, mosquitoes are also out, ruining your good time.

These uninvited party crashers don’t just leave behind their signature itchy bites; they are also known to carry a variety of diseases such as West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and malaria. As a result, preventing these pests before they can make a meal out of you is important. Knowing which mosquito prevention methods work and which methods are just old wives’ tales can help make your efforts more successful.

A Few Do’s

When trying to keep mosquitoes out of your yard it is important to know which methods are most effective. Below are proven ways to keep mosquitoes away:

  • Remove standing water: Female mosquitoes will find even the smallest pools of standing water to lay their eggs. Make sure to empty any water out of buckets, kid toys, flowerpots, and those old tires you have stashed behind the shed. It is important to ensure your yard is water-free and inhospitable to these small flying bloodsuckers. 
  • Add mosquito netting to your doors/windows: Nothing is better than a nice summer breeze going through your home, but an open window is an invitation for mosquitoes or any other pests to enter. To keep these unwanted guests out of your home and away from your family, install mosquito netting or screens on any doors or windows you want to leave open. It will block any pests from entering your home while you enjoy the fresh summer air.
  • Add natural predators to your pond: Ponds are the perfect nursery for mosquito larvae. The best way to keep mosquitoes from multiplying in your pond is by adding natural predators. Animals like fish, tadpoles, and turtles enjoy snacking on mosquito larvae which will help keep the mosquito population in check. You can also create a welcoming habitat around your pond for mosquito hunters like birds and dragonflies.

A Few Don’ts

Battling mosquitoes in your yard can be frustrating. Don’t waste your money and add to your frustration by using the following ineffective methods of mosquito control! 

  • Bug zappers: While bug zappers can be extremely effective at eliminating many insects around your patio, they are ineffective when it comes to controlling mosquitos. Bug zappers work by emitting a light that attracts insects and then “zapping” them. Unlike many insects, mosquitoes are not attracted to light but are attracted to the carbon dioxide people exhale. These zappers can actually make your mosquito problems worse by killing insects that would normally eat mosquitoes for dinner.
  • Citronella candles: One of the most popular mosquito prevention methods is lighting a citronella candle. Citronella candles may have some effectiveness in keeping mosquitoes at bay but their range of protection is limited. They do not provide a long-term solution as they are only effective when lit. Instead of running to the store to grab citronella candles for your barbeque, consider using a proven mosquito repellant like those with DEET or picaridin. 

Professional Pest Control

Sometimes despite your best efforts, mosquitoes can win the battle over your yard. Undoubtedly, when you are ready to win the war against mosquitoes, contact the professionals at Vermont Pest Control. Our skilled technicians will help eliminate your mosquito problem and provide prevention tips for the ongoing season. With trusted help, you can enjoy your time outdoors without worrying about these annoying pests. Contact us today for a free quote and more information on our mosquito extermination services.

Houseplant Bugs?! How to Keep Them Out

Scale bugs on a household orchid plant leaf.

Houseplants can be a beautiful accent to your home décor. They act as an air purifier and replenish with oxygen. But, the addition of houseplants to your home may also mean the addition of bugs. From a Snake Plant, Bamboo Palm, English Ivy, or Spider Plant, bugs are attracted to any indoor houseplant. Houseplant bugs are not ideal, but, there are ways to deal with these added pests! Vermont Pest Control has provided the safest and most effective pest solutions for you and your home since 1991. We have identified ways that you can help rid your plants of bugs yourself.

Common Houseplant Bugs

  • Fungus Gnats – These pests make their home in the plant soil. They look a lot like fruit flies and if given the opportunity they will travel from one plant to another. Fungus Gnat larvae feed on fungus in the plant soil, which most commonly occurs while the soil is moist and/or in a humid environment. While fungus gnats will not kill the plant, they feed on the new roots, which damages your plant making them a nuisance.
  • Mealybug – Not to be confused with aphids, mealybugs are very similar. Like aphids, mealybugs feed on plant sap. They have white wooly exteriors that are caused by waxy secretions. Mealybugs are sometimes described as soft-scale insects, which means they don’t have armored scales. They can also live in the plant soil.
  • Scales – To the untrained eye, you wouldn’t identify scales as a bug because they don’t move. Some species are covered in armor-like plating, which is how they came to be named. Scales are most likely found in groups on the plant stems.
  • Spider Mites – Spider mites are so tiny they are hard to spot. They feed on leaves and green areas of your plants. Because they are nearly invisible, you sometimes won’t know your plant has them until you see the damage. Spider mite damage shows up as small brown spots on leaves.
  • Whiteflies – Though small and white like mealybugs, the whiteflies’ have wings, which allow them to fly. Both mealybugs and whiteflies suck nutrients from your plants which can leave plants damaged and yellow. Whiteflies have small triangular-shaped bodies and fly in small groups if disturbed. They leave a sticky residue that comes from their mouths while feeding, which is sweet and can attract ants.
  • Aphids – Aphids are small black, green, white or pink oval-shaped bugs. Some do have wings. They can be easier to remove as they aren’t as they don’t move around as much as mealybugs or whiteflies. Aphids also drain your plants of nutrients and if their numbers are large enough they can transmit viruses that can weaken and kill your plants. Aphids multiply quickly so it is important to get the upper hand before they are out of control.

How Do I Get Rid of Bugs on Plants?

You can identify the bugs, now how do you get rid of them? It may take a couple different routes to rid your plants of bugs.

Prevention – Before buying a new plant for your home inspect it for pests or yellowing leaves or leaves that are curling or appear to have died prematurely. If unable to inspect the plant before buying it, at least inspect it before bringing it inside your home. It is always best to err on the side of caution as bugs can travel from plant to plant and you want to protect your other plants from infestations.

Isolation – If you have a plant that is infested with a houseplant bug it is best to isolate it from the rest of your plants. This lessens the chance the bugs will spread to your uninfected plants. This especially is true if you have a plant that has scales as this pest is transmitted from plants touching one another.

Topical treatments –Some bugs, such as mealybugs, can be knocked off by rinsing the plant under a strong spray of water like in a shower or a hose. Also, you could wipe the plant off with a damp cloth.
Additionally, you can also use insecticidal soap, but make sure it is labeled for pest and plant use.
You can also use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol and wipe down the entire plant. This rarely is a one-time application but once you think the pest population is taken care of, rinse the plant with water.

At Vermont Pest Control, we are here to provide any pest resources you may need. Contact us today for a free quote!

What is QualityPro Certification?

Two pest control technicians in uniform hold cases filled with pest control equipment

It can be hard to shop around and choose a pest control provider. How do you know which companies are reputable and which companies aren’t? These days you need to shop smart to ensure you get quality service for your household or business. At Vermont Pest Control, we know this and that’s why we want to educate you on an important credential that a quality pest control service should have: QualityPro certification.

What is QualityPro?

You may have seen the blue and white QualityPro logo on a pest control company’s website if you’ve searched for pest control online. Think of it as the seal of approval from the NPMA, or the National Pest Management Association. It’s given to companies that meet a certain standard of excellence and complete rigorous ongoing testing and training. Both management and employees receive training and ongoing education annually as part of renewing their certification.

What Does it Mean to be QualityPro Certified?

Let’s be honest, not every pest control company is fit to be a QualityPro company. The NPMA is the non-profit leadership group that represents the pest control industry, and they demand a lot from QualityPro-certified businesses. As a result, to be QualityPro accredited, you have to do more than just pass a test. You also have to certify that your company:

  • Conducts background checks on job applicants
  • Meets minimum insurance coverage requirements
  • Has an on-the-job safety policy
  • Provides Integrated Pest Management (IPM) information to consumers
  • Tests and trains employees to the highest industry standards
  • Agrees to periodic audits to ensure compliance with QualityPro standards

Benefits of QualityPro

QualityPro is the most recognized professional pest management certification. It lets you as a consumer know that a pest control company is committed to excellence. You’ve probably encountered similar certifications in other industries. The National Insititute for Automotive Service Excellence offers the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification for auto repair shops, for example. Maybe someone once advised you to buy a kitchen appliance that’s EnergyStar certified. 

It makes sense to choose a provider with a seal of approval for something as important as your home’s pest control. You don’t need to know everything there is about the exterminating industry. QualityPro certification tells you that you can be confident about your choice of pest control company.

Vermont Pest Control is QualityPro Certified!

If you’re looking for a QualityPro-certified pest control company serving southern or mid-Vermont, look no further than Vermont Pest Control. In addition to QualityPro certification, we’re licensed by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. Quality service is what you’re going to get when you call us, no matter what the pest or the circumstances. If you want to feel confident that the pests will be gone and that you’ve chosen the right pest control company, contact us today!