Field Notes
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Blood-sucking pests like ticks and mosquitoes are more than a nuisance — they can be a health risk. And they don’t just wreak havoc in your backyard; they can also affect your business.
The truth of the matter is that mosquitoes and ticks can actually spread diseases to your employees and customers. Learn the need-to-know information about the risks they could pose, as well as how to help minimize their activity on your property.
Mosquito and Tick Risks
Mosquitoes and ticks are both public health pests and vector pests. As public health pests, they can transmit diseases reportable to and tracked by the CDC, and as vector pests, they are able to transfer diseases to humans. This means that mosquitoes and ticks are not simply annoying pests because of their bites – they are pests that should not be ignored, given their potential to possibly cause more serious health problems.
Mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as:
Ticks can transmit diseases like:
Mosquito and Tick Hot Spots on Your Property
You can take steps to help reduce mosquito and tick populations on your property by working with your pest management partner to minimize conducive conditions for each pest. By doing so, you can help reduce the habitats where they thrive. To make these changes, you must first identify mosquito and tick hot spots, which include:
Mosquito and Tick Prevention Tips
To help prevent mosquitoes and ticks from harming your customers, employees and business, consider taking proactive measures. Simple outdoor upkeep can help keep these pests at bay, such as maintaining landscaping; minimizing water build-up; and clearing away brush, fallen leaves, logs and other items they may use as shelter. Adding fans to outdoor areas with heavy foot traffic can help deter mosquitoes further, since they are weak flyers.
Further preventive measures include installing screens on windows and doors to keep pests from entering your building, installing traps in discrete areas and creating a 3-foot wide barrier between trees and grass using wood chips or gravel. Last, consider planting mosquito-repelling plants such as citronella, marigold, mint or lavender.
Hiring a professional to handle mosquitoes and ticks can take the pressure off of you and your employees. In fact, Orkin can help develop a customized plan including a comprehensive inspection, habitat modification, production application as needed and ongoing monitoring and maintenance for your property’s needs. With our assistance, you can do more than help protect your customers and employees – you can help protect your business.
Ready to help declare victory over vector pests this year? Learn more about our mosquito and tick services by scheduling a free audit at your property.
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