• Dans Best2017

East End Tick Control®

Now Is the Time To Get Winter Tick Shield Protection

by

tick shieldWhen temperatures dip, you may think pest-related threats have ended for the winter. This is true for some pests but not so for ticks. April through October is considered tick season in the northeast United States, but these disease-carrying pests can thrive well into autumn and winter. Ticks are active when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, emerging from mulch beds and from under wood piles. Our Tick Shield granular treatment will kill new ticks as they hatch, providing year-round protection.
[Continue Reading]

When Is the Best Time To Begin Mosquito Control Services?

by

best time for mosquito controlIt seems to happen overnight. The days get longer, temperatures rise, flowers burst into bloom, and then you hear the whining drone of a mosquito moments before you become its latest meal. You may not be expecting or prepared for them, but mosquitoes are predictable pests, always returning when conditions are ripe for their arrival.

What Time Of Year Should You Start Mosquito Spraying?

To know when mosquitoes will return (and when to spray for them), it’s essential to understand their life cycle and how they respond to temperatures and the changing seasons.

Mosquitos don’t fare well in cool or cold weather. They function most efficiently when temperatures are between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, become lethargic at 60 degrees F, and cannot function at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In New York, mosquito season lasts from April through October, but climate change will likely extend the season even longer in the coming years.

There are two main species of mosquitoes in this region, and both become problematic around the same time. The common house mosquito, culex pipiens, emerges from hibernation when temperatures consistently reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The Asian tiger mosquito, aedes albopictus, often doesn’t survive winter temperatures. Still, the eggs they lay in late fall hatch at roughly the same point on the thermometer when their culex cousins emerge.

The best time of year to start spraying for mosquitoes is right before the season begins. It is more efficient to attack emerging and larval mosquitoes than trying to get rid of fully developed, fully functioning adult mosquitoes. If you miss this window, the fight will be a bit more complicated, but homeowners cannot ignore the battle.

When Is The Best Time Of Day To Spray For Mosquitoes?

The best time to spray for mosquitoes is when they are most active. Spraying is most effective when they feed, at dusk and dawn. This isn’t always practical, though, especially if you engage the services of a professional mosquito control company. They will visit your property during daytime hours, considering the differential between the time of treatment and peak mosquito activity.

Should I Mow Before A Mosquito Spraying?

Mow your grass a day or two before having your yard sprayed. This will discourage crucial pollinators like bees and butterflies from being in your yard and protect them from anti-mosquito treatments. Shorter grass provides less cover for mosquitoes and other unwanted pests, so it’s sensible to keep it trimmed regularly anyway.

Should I Wait Until After It Rains To Spray For Mosquitoes?

Mosquito sprays and foggers target flying insects, so rain does not necessarily affect spray treatments. Other mosquito treatments are usually oil-based and water-insoluble, so they will not wash away in the rain. It is wise to give these some time to bond to surfaces and foliage before exposing them to rain, lawn sprinklers, or other water sources. Your mosquito control professional will provide detailed instructions on how long you should wait before allowing a specific treatment to get wet.

We Are Your Mosquito Control Expert

One of the best things you can do to defend your family, pets, and property from this pest is getting a mosquito yard spray treatment from East End Tick and Mosquito Control®. If you wish to schedule a preventative yard spray, give our experts a call today. We have been Eastern Suffolk’s most trusted name in tick and mosquito control for 25 years. If you live near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. And if you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always email us as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

Planning Your Winter Tick Prevention

by

winter tick prepNow that the official start of winter is only a few short weeks away and the temperatures have been steadily growing cooler, many of us tend to forget that ticks still pose a genuine threat when we go outside. On any day that the temperature is more than 40 degrees, ticks will be active and looking for their next meal. So how do you protect yourself when you don’t know what the temperature is going to be? Fortunately, we have the ideal off-season protection solution – Tick Shield Granular Treatment.
 

Tick Shield Provides Off-Season Protection

 
On the temperate days of winter, ticks emerge hungry from breeding grounds in mulch beds, leaf piles, woodpiles, and tall grasses. These newly hatched ticks will latch quickly onto unsuspecting passersby who don’t even know there is a threat. So homeowners who choose the warmer days of winter to do yard work or spend some leisure time outside are exposed to a budding crop of hungry ticks.
 
Tick Shield uses Talstar XTRA granules that are applied to the areas where ticks tend to emerge. The first treatment is scheduled for December, with subsequent treatments scheduled for later months. Since early winter temperatures tend to fluctuate significantly and recent Long Island winters have been warmer, the need for full-year protection has become apparent.    

Ready Your Property to Prevent Off-Season Tick Bites

 
Aside from scheduling our granular Tick Shield application, there are other ways that you can help protect against tick bites during the wintertime.

     

  1. Move woodpiles away, far from your house. Many of us enjoy having a roaring fire in our home’s fireplaces during the winter, but that doesn’t mean that you need to keep woodpiles close to the house. Ticks love to hide in wood, so keep the piles far from home and only bring in what’s required.
  2. Get rid of leaf piles and other seasonal debris. Another favorite hiding place for ticks is piles of dead leaves. Be sure to get rid of these piles as quickly as possible. Bag leaves and pile them as far from the house as possible. If your kids and pets like to jump around in the leaves, be sure to check them thoroughly for ticks afterward.
  3. Trim the lawn and bushes. Don’t make it easy for ticks to find an easy meal this winter. Before it gets too cold, make sure your grass is trimmed low and your bushes and hedges are cut back, particularly those which grow close to your house. Ticks hide in tall grasses and wait for unsuspecting victims to walk past.

Call East End Tick Control® for Year-Round Tick Prevention

 
East End Tick and Mosquito Control® is Eastern Suffolk County’s most-experienced pest control company. Since 1997, we have provided the Twin Forks and East End with the most effective extermination methods. Protect yourself and your family year-round by requesting a free estimate now or call our Southampton office at (631) 287-9700, our East Hampton office at (631) 324-9700, or our Southold office at (631) 765-9700.

Fall Tick Bite Prevention Tips

by

tick preventionMany long-time Long Island residents would argue that the fall is the best time of the year on the East End. Farm stands are full of locally grown pumpkins, squash, and apples. Every weekend in October, there are fall festivals and events for all ages. But there is a hidden outdoor predator that lurks amid the pumpkin patches and hayrides. Ticks remain active until the temperatures dip under 40 degrees. Here are some tips to help prevent tick bites while you are out enjoying all that a Long Island autumn has to offer. 
[Continue Reading]

5 Tips to Protect Your Pets from Ticks and Mosquitos

by

keep ticks off dogsTick season is still going strong and will be until temperatures drop below 40 degrees. It is essential to protect not only yourself and your family but your pets as well. Not only do you want to keep your precious pet safe and prevent them from contracting Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases, but your pets can also unknowingly introduce ticks into your home. Even worse, mosquitos can transmit the parasite, leading to heartworms, a preventable yet potentially deadly disease. So how do you protect yourself and your dog or cat?
[Continue Reading]

Three Tips to Prevent an Indoor Tick Infestation

by

A cartoon image of a tick inside of a home.When you hear about tick prevention, the main focus is usually on preventing ticks from biting you while you are outdoors. While this is important, not bringing ticks into your home is critical as well. Having an infestation in your home can be dangerous to your health if the ticks are carrying bacteria or infections such as Lyme disease. The tick extermination experts at East End Tick and Mosquito Control® are here to give you three tips to prevent an indoor tick infestation.
[Continue Reading]

Three Hacks to Keep Mosquitoes Away On The 4th of July

by

Dead cartoon mosquitoes on a white background.
The 4th of July is a holiday when family, friends, and loved ones spend time together in the warm summer sun. While you are having a lively conversation, grilling up some delicious food, and hanging out poolside, the last thing you should be worried about is mosquitoes. These pesky insects can turn your outdoor gathering into a disaster.
[Continue Reading]