Mosquito Squad Columbia can take care of all your biting outdoor pest control problems.
The Asian tiger mosquito displays similar markings to its namesake, the tiger.
The Asian Tiger mosquito ( Aedes albopictus), also known as the forest day mosquito, made its debut into North America in 1985 by hitching a ride in a shipment of used tires from Asia bound for the port of Houston, TX. Since that fateful day the Asian tiger mosquito has been moving its way across the United States rapidly and can now be found as far up our East coast as Maine.
Named for its similarities in coloration to its namesake, the Asian Tiger mosquito has bold black and white stripes on its legs as well as its body. The similarities to the tiger don’t stop there. This mosquito is said to also be very aggressive at feeding time as well. What makes the Asian Tiger so unique is the way in which it feeds. There are over 3,500 species of named mosquitoes throughout the world, most of these species typically like to feed from dusk until dawn. The Asian tiger mosquito however, is what is called a “day feeder”, meaning that it will feed anytime throughout the day with little regard for the presence of humidity or heat. This species is well-acclimated to tropical and sub-tropical regions and is steadily gaining resistance to some of the cooler climates found here in North America. As this invasive species moves into more regions of the U.S., it is continuously evolving to accommodate its ever-changing environment. Its feeding is more aggressive and many cite that the Tiger’s bite is more painful.
One of the reasons behind the Asian Tiger’s aggressive feeding habits quite possibly lies in its persistence. All female mosquitoes must ingest blood for proper development of their eggs. This particular mosquito will return to feed off of its victim to get it’s fill of blood even once it is swatted away. The Asian also feeds off a variety of mammals which leads to cross pathogens that can contribute to the transference of certain mosquito-borne diseases and illnesses. The Asian Tiger mosquito is a known vector of West Nile, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, Encephalitis and Heartworms in pets – all of which have been reported in the Midlands of South Carolina.
This mosquito, along with being one of the most bloodthirsty of its class, is also known to be a master at laying its eggs in some of the smallest crevices in miniscule amounts of water including gutters, holes and crevices in trees, dense foliage and brush that may hold moisture and even in our trash and litter. A single soda bottle cap can become a nursery to hundreds of mosquito larvae. Anything that can hold or pool water within your landscape and around your home can serve as a place for a female mosquito to lay her eggs. It is of the utmost importance to inspect your surroundings on a regular basis and turn over, tip over or throw out anything that can aid in the mosquitoes reproductive process. Mosquito Squad calls this the five T’s of mosquito prevention.
- Tip
- Toss
- Turn
- Remove Tarps and tires
- Treat
Following this formula will prevent mosquitoes from biting you and your family and pets, and to reduce the risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness or disease.
Mosquito Squad of Columbia is waging war on mosquitoes and fighting the bite!
Mosquito Squad of Columbia understands the concerns that arise when you or someone you love gets even one unnecessary mosquito bite this season. The magic part of our treatment is that you don’t have to experience even the first bite by using our system. Our service entails spraying your property on regularly scheduled intervals for optimum mosquito control. Our barrier sprays are safe, effective and worry free. Once you have signed up with us, you won’t have to worry about scheduling or keeping track of when it is time to call us because our service is automatic. You may even forget about mosquitoes altogether without the hassle of having to spray yourself and your family down with dangerous topicals before each trip into your yard. Our philosophy is to treat your yard, instead of yourself.
To learn more about fighting the bite this season, including the dreaded Asian Tiger mosquito, contact Mosquito Squad of Columbia and enjoy your time outdoors for all the right reasons. Call us today to sign up• (803) 345 – 7575 • email: columbia@mosquitosquad.com
February 26, 2012
Mosquito Squad of Columbia is putting an end to the woes South Carolina spiders can cause.
This Agriope spider is another common spider seen throughout South Carolina
If there is one single insect that strikes fear in our hearts, it would undoubtedly have to be the spider. Spiders get their reputation for being the focus of terror in movies as well as books, they have even made their appearance in children’s nursery rhymes. The good new is that most spiders are harmless, here in Columbia there are only a small handful of spiders that are considered to be venomous. These dangerous spiders include the Brown Recluse, Brown Widow, and the Northern as well as Southern Black Widow. A bite from these arachnids can make you very ill and in some cases can be fatal.
Up close and personal with the state spider of S.C., the Carolina Wolf Spider.
In South Carolina alone there are over 50 types of spiders. One such variety is the crablike Orb spider named because they resemble a crab more than a spider. Our state even has its own state spider, the Carolina Wolf Spider, which was named so in 2000 and is the largest known Wolf Spider found in North America. Other spiders that are indigenous to South Carolina include the Ant Mimic Spider, Black and Yellow Garden Spider, Black tail Crab Spider, North American Jumping Spider, Orb Weavers, Parson Spider, Running Crab Spider, Running Spider, Spined Micrathena, Triangulate Cob Web Spider, Woodland Jumping Spider, Banded Garden Spider, Grass Spider, American House Spider as well as many, many more.
Spiders are a huge problem on waterfront homes and here in the Greater Columbia area, the Lake Murray waterfront and smaller lakes and rivers serve as home to many of our residents. Many of the state’s spider species also call the waterfront home. When you have a home that is relatively close to water you will undoubtedly have a spider problem at one point or another. Spiders need to set up webs to capture bugs as part of their diet. Bugs are abundant near water, and thus the spider can have a backyard buffet of bugs to choose from. Spiders are a territorial insect that once they set up shop, it is difficult to get rid of them without intervention.
This Argiope spider spins quite a web. Spiders often leave their sticky traces of web on our homes as well.
Mosquito Squad of Columbia offers spider control that will rid you of your spider woes. You will see immediate results. Our treatment is applied every 21 days from April until October (and in some cases year-round) and you will never have to worry about the dangers or mess created by a spider problem.
Contact Mosquito Squad of Columbia to take care of your spider problems as well as problems with other bothersome bugs. We also protect your home from mosquitoes, fire ants, fleas, ticks, and flies. Our program is backed by our expertise and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Call us at (803) 345 - 7575 or send us an email at columbia@mosquitosquad.com
What member of your family spends the greatest amount of time outside? The answer just may be your dog. When you head outside to do yardwork, barbeque, or enjoy some fun family time, your faithful friend probably heads outdoors with you. And your dog probably spends time outdoors alone as well, investigating new smells or relaxing in the sun.
It’s great for your dog to be able to get exercise and fresh air outside, but there’s a very serious threat looming, and that is the threat of mosquitoes. For humans, mosquitoes can pose great harm, but more often than not you will associate them with the discomfort of itching as a result of their bites.
But for man’s best friend, not only is there the threat of West Nile Virus that humans must worry about, but there is also the threat of contracting heartworm from mosquitoes, which can be a fatal disease.
When a mosquito bites a dog who is infected with heartworm, it carries that infected blood and transmits it to other dogs when biting them. The most prevalent region for heartworm in the U.S. is the southeast, so the risk of your pet contracting heartworm from a mosquito bite here is unfortunately especially high.
So what can you do to help protect your loving companion? First of all, invest in a preventative heartworm medicine. These are available in a chewable form that your give your dog once a month, and they are highly recommended by veterinarians. Second, make sure you call Mosquito Squad of Columbia SC to schedule a mosquito spray session. We have a variety of products that can be used to eliminate mosquitoes and prevent future breeding. This way, you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your dog is safe, and your dog can enjoy his or her time outside without the pain of being stung.
Mosquitoes are so prevalent during the spring and summer months that they almost feel like they are an unavoidable part of the seasons. But there are things you can do to enjoy the outdoors without the nuisance of mosquitoes. One of the most effective strategies is to reduce opportunities for mosquitoes to breed around your home. After all, the fewer mosquitoes being bred, the fewer you will have to deal with. Here are three easy-to-follow steps for helping to control mosquitoes in your Columbia-area neighborhood.
- Eliminate any standing water. Mosquitoes seek out old stagnant water for breeding purposes, so if you take away any sources of water, you can greatly reduce their opportunity to reproduce. Begin by looking for anything around your yard that might collect water. Buckets, cans, tarps and sheeting are just a fee examples of items that may seem harmless, but which can provide perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Empty water from those or better yet eliminate them from your yard altogether if possible. For items which may need to constantly have water like wading pools and bird baths, be certain you are regularly changing out the water.
- Remove weeds and excess vegetation. Shady areas offer refuge to mosquitoes, so by pulling weeds regularly and pruning shrubs, trees, bushes, and any other area which might provide the safety of shade, you are enacting an easy measure of mosquito control.
- Schedule a mosquito spray session. The absolute most effective way to kill mosquitoes and prevent new ones from breeding is to use a mosquito spray system like those offered by Mosquito Squad of Columbia. Many people assume that the mosquito spray products found at their local hardware store will do the trick, but the truth is, these products lack the correct active ingredients in the right concentration to be as effective as the barrier spray products we use. For real results, you can trust our mosquito control products.
With these 3 easy steps, you can plan on spending more time in your yard this spring and summer without worrying about the annoying and persistent threat of mosquitoes. Watch out for water, pull those weeds, and contact Mosquito Squad of Columbia today for our mosquito spraying services!
One of the most attractive features of the beautiful, historic homes of Rosewood, Shandon, and Heathwood are the mature trees that grace the landscaped yards of the neighborhoods.
These trees look wonderful, and they provide the added benefit of comforting shade during the hot summer days.
However, you are not the only one who likes the cooling effects of these trees’ shade. For Columbia mosquitoes, this shade makes for the perfect breeding ground and refuge.
There can be literally millions of mosquitoes in Columbia-area trees, particularly in the large, full trees that are located in these historic neighborhoods. Area residents know all too well that the dangers of these mosquitoes extends beyond a mere annoyance; a Shandon resident was affected by the West Nile virus just last year, and is still feeling its effects. So this problem is clearly nothing to be taken lightly.
The solution is a mere phone call away. Mosquito Squad of Columbia can effectively treat mosquitoes problems in these and many other Columbia neighborhoods with an array of safe but effective mosquito control sprays. You can rest easily knowing that the treatments will not harm your family or your trees or landscaping.
Don’t let mosquitoes detract from your enjoyment of your shade trees. Let Mosquito Squad of Columbia eliminate the problem with safe mosquito spray solutions.
If in the past, you have been used to enjoying mosquito control efforts as performed by Columbia and Richland County, you will be in for an unpleasant surprise this Summer.
In the current economy, municipalities across the country have had to make difficult cutbacks, and here in Columbia SC we are no exception. One of the areas that has been impacted by Richland County budget cutbacks is mosquito control.
You can no longer count on the government to provide mosquito spraying and larvicide services in your area. The service has been reduced in many areas, and eliminated altogether in others.
Thankfully, we here at Mosquito Squad of Columbia are able to help. Our mosquito spraying solutions are every bit as effective as the spraying solutions previously provided by Richland County, and they are available at very affordable rates.
From our Standard 21-day and 14-day all Natural Barrier Spray programs that keep your family protected all season long to our one-day Event Sprays that allow guests to enjoy your outdoor Weddings and Events bite-free, we have a variety of mosquito control sprays designed to help any Columbia-area resident.
Even though Richland County has reduced its mosquito spraying coverage, you can still spend a safe summer outdoors. Call today to set up an appointment for mosquito spraying services in Columbia!
Midlands' largest Home & Garden show opens this Friday, March 12
The Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia presents the 45th Annual Carolina Classic Home & Garden Show at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13, 2010.
The Carolina Classic is the largest home and garden exhibition in the Midlands and will feature over 300 construction, home improvement and outdoor product exhibits.
Dread Skeeter and the team from Mosquito Squad of Columbia are featured as a new exhibitor and will be offering Free Barrier Sprays for lucky winners who fill out entry forms at their tent in the outdoor exhibition area near the food vendors. Valued at $129 each, a total of three winners will be chosen. Free literature on mosquito repellent solutions and tick control through use of barrier sprays will be distributed. Children can pick up free coloring book pages from The Adventures of Dread Skeeter.
We hope to see you at the Home & Garden Show!
Super hero Dread Skeeter recently spotted in downtown Columbia.
More than 80 eye witnesses report seeing Dread Skeeter, mascot for Mosquito Squad of Columbia, at this week’s Historic Columbia Foundation’s Gardening Symposium. Considered a super hero by many who despise mosquitoes, fleas, biting insects and the misery they spread, Dread has dedicated his life to the eradication of mosquitoes, ticks and other disease-carrying pests with his mosquito repellent barrier sprays and misting systems. Many symposium attendees shared their stories of biting insect infestations with Dread, who promised to meet with each one of them individually to determine the best strategy to help them “Fight the Bite”.
When asked what motivates him to do this work, Dread stated ”My life’s mission is to kill mosquitoes and ticks. I don’t kill because I hate. I kill because I love. I love kids. I love pets. And I know that mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases that hurt kids and pets (and adults too).”
Dread awarded Free Barrier Sprays to three lucky winners, then big farewell to all, with promises to appear next week at the Home Builders’ Association Carolina Classic Home and Garden Show March 12, 13 and 14, 2010, at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds. At that event, Dread will once again be offering Free Barrier Sprays to several lucky winners, and looks forward to discussing how he and his Mosquito Squad team can help you control biting insects at home, at your business, or at your outdoor wedding or special event.
