A world without mosquitoes……

What would the world be like without mosquitoes?  Would their absence damage the food chain or affect other species?  Would we miss getting a bite or two?  It’s very hard to disagree that enjoying our backyards all spring, summer, and even early fall without them would be delightful.  However, if they serve a purpose, we wouldn’t want to mess up the ecosystem!  The article below from the Scientific Journal Nature  says that if the mosquitoes were completely eliminated, it wouldn’t make an impact.  Even though we are far from eradicating all the mosquitoes, here is the very interesting article.  Send it to your friends!

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100721/full/466432a.html

In the news!

First, apologies for the time since last posting!  Facebook has been our main presence, but we need to enrich this blog for non-facebookers like some of our own family (me, Rich)!  Here’s some of the recent relevant stuff we’ve seen on mosquitoes and ticks:

a) From the city of Alexandria come good reminders of how to do your part with your yard!  Video link.

b) See this good article from Roanoke.com on ticks, the likes of which I’d not seen.  It notes nearly 29,000 CDC documented Lyme Disease cases in 2008.  Given the likely undocumented cases, that number is likley light and not decreasing!  If you’re planning a hike or even time on the local golf courses, consider repellent and a post-play check for ticks.

Second, to the pleasant side of outdoor life in Hampton Roads, check out the recent Virginian Pilot review of an old local favorite, Rudee’s.  They now have a cabana “annex” to the 27-year-old favorite restaurant.  While Rudee’s may never be as good as when raw-bar-master and tune-spinner extraordinaire Dan Dougherty worked that domain back in the day, Rudees is worth a visit with friends.

Mosquitoes expected to be a nuisance in Hampton Roads

From the Daily Press article April 3rd:

“Bring out your sunscreen and possibly your best bug spray because this weekend’s warm weather is expected to bring out a wave of unwelcome and annoying visitors — mosquitoes.

“The first three months of the year have seen 14.03 inches of rain — creating plenty of puddles and pools of water for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. People who monitor for mosquitoes say they are seeing a large number of eggs and the squiggly worm-like larvae waiting to develop into fully developed mosquitoes.”

Our expertise will make a difference this year especially.  Call Mosquito Squad at 200-BITE (2483) now to find out how!

Mosquito Control news for Chesapeake, VA!

“Combat is underway,” wrote Tony Stein (steinstuff@aol.com) in the March 28th Virginian-Pilot article on Mosquitoes in Chesapeake.  He noted that “Aerial spraying has started to kill mosquito larvae – the infant stage – targeting woodland and watery areas like southern Chesapeake and Deep Creek. Hand spraying of other woodland areas is also under way.”

These are great steps in an integrated mosquito control strategy.  But as the article points out, vigilance on the home front is also necessary.  This is where Mosquito Squad experts can help you.  Call us to visit your home, assess your risks, and design a strategy for taking your yard back!

By the way, we’ve had quite a few inquiries about the infamous Asian Tiger Mosquito.  The answer to the question is yes, both our all natural and optimal barrier spray products will kill these aggressive mosquitoes.  Why are people asking about them?  They are prone to bite during warmer portions of the day, they can be found in large numbers, they can breed outside of (but near) water, and they love the CO2 humans emit.  We’re prepared for them all right!

Early season sign-up specials are available now at 200-BITE (2483) or via our website: Get the Experts at Mosquito Squad! We’re a local family serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and more with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Mosquito Squad Barrier Spray Safety

As parents ourselves, we at Mosquito Squad of Norfolk-Chesapeake researched products and services that  eliminated  mosquitoes.   There are propane/bait solutions, deet sprays, and our former favorite, the big blue bug zapper (we like the comforting sound of frying mosquitoes!).    We looked around and found this emergingly popular approach: barrier spray service!

While understanding it’s strong effectiveness in ridding the problem, our first question was how safe is this in our backyard where our children live in the summer time? Also, will it affect our plants, flowers, and vegetable garden?   We are convinced this is the best solution for our mosquito issue and healthy living standard.  Plus, for those of you lucky enough to have dogs, it can help prevent heartworm and rid them and you of flea bites!!!!

Here are some details on the Mosquito Squad Barrier Spray approach.

Mosquito Squad comes to Norfolk, Chesapeake & Virginia Beach!

A Great Home and Flower Show put on by the Tidewater Builders Association was the forum for our arrival.   The booth and location were amazing and allowed us to educate many on our ability to fight mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and more outdoor pests with an environmentally friendly approach!  Thanks and nice job to our friends in Virginia Beach who did more than their share of the work!  Highlights of the show:

Chamwow!   The miracles of science led to many a purchase. We highly recommend this product as owners ourselves. The last spray nozzle you’ll ever need brought to you by Glen from GA! Delivered by a trade-show pro, Glen was the MVP of the show, and his product was a big hit!

SPCA – always good to see these good people bringing pet adoption to the people! We’re pet friendly; we wouldn’t bring you our solutions if we weren’t absolutely so. Heck, our 8 year old is worried about the mosquitoes!

Best display of backyard living goes to K&D Rounds Landscape Services – the guys with the full pool, grill, etc. Not only was their display the best, but the grilled pork and beverages post-Sat’s show made a small difference in our view!

If you haven’t been yet, go to the show next year. There really is something for everyone.  Even our kids had a great time!

Special thanks to our friends of Mosquito Squad of Virginia Beach, who drove the booth setup.