Tag: mosquito control

Here Are Some Backyard Mosquito Control Systems For Your Home

There’s nothing worse than having your backyard barbecue or pool party marred by mosquitoes. That’s why you should always have a backyard mosquito control system that you can rely on. The good news is that you have some options.

There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes inhabiting the Earth. About 176 of these species are found in North America. And there are roughly 55 species alone flying around in Michigan. Only a few of these carry diseases, but they’re all significant nuisances.

Whether you’re trying to decrease the risk of contracting the West Nile Virus or just trying to enjoy the outdoor space in your backyard, there are plenty of reasons to want to keep mosquitoes away. So, let’s look at a few backyard mosquito control systems that you can try at your home.

Outdoor Residential Spraying

You can put together a plan that is designed to spray pesticides around your yard. 

Our Defender Program is a great example of this. It combines three effective and proven pest control services into one plan.

A multi-tiered approach works best when spraying. It will provide you the best chance at keeping all types of bugs at bay.

Integrated Pest Management

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that a combination of approaches is most effective at controlling mosquito populations.

It’s generally known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and employs several strategies, but the foundation of your IPM should be built on eliminating standing water around your home. 

That’s because almost any size container can provide a habitat for mosquitoes to hatch if they remain filled with water for more than a few days. Killing mosquito larvae by draining water before they emerge as adults can reduce or eliminate the need to spray pesticides to kill adult mosquitoes. 

Integrated Pest Management for mosquitoes may also include the following:

  • Keep the water in birdbaths from becoming stagnant.
  • Make sure to cover trash cans to prevent water accumulation.
  • Drill holes in old tires so they’ll drain.
  • Clean gutters and downspouts so water doesn’t collect in them.
  • Flip wheelbarrows over so they don’t fill with water.


Also, keep tall grasses under control. And remember that many naturally-occurring fish are predators of mosquito larvae. Fish of almost any kind will eat mosquito larvae, including goldfish.   

Implementing these tactics in combination with the use of mosquito repellants and pesticides can help keep mosquitoes at bay.

Natural Mosquito Control

If you’d like to avoid chemical insecticides and try a natural mosquito control solution, you can use natural mosquito control.

These treatments both repel living mosquitoes and destroy their nests and eggs in places like standing water. This will allow you to drive away ​ mosquitoes without exposing your family to harmful chemical pesticides. 

Lush Lawn Backyard Mosquito Control System

Eliminating mosquitoes entirely is very hard to do. They can move around quickly, so any control efforts may just be temporary. You may need a team of experts behind you to get the job done.

Lush Lawn can provide you with an effective organic backyard mosquito control system. Our mosquito control treatments will form a barrier around your yard to best protect you and your family from mosquitoes. 

If you’d like to learn more about our mosquito control services, contact us today.

How To Implement A Natural Mosquito Control Program At Your Home

If you’re wondering about natural mosquito control, you know it’s almost that time of year again when those biting bugs will be buzzing about your yard at dusk. Natural mosquito repellants are safe. And they’re a reliable way to chase away mosquitoes.

Continue reading “How To Implement A Natural Mosquito Control Program At Your Home”

Scale Insects on Trees: The Impact of an Infestation

Scale insects on trees are not something you want to have to deal with. 

They’re waxy insects that pierce trees with their mouths and suck sap from them. This makes it more difficult for trees to maintain moisture and nutrients in the short term. The honeydew that scale excretes onto trees can provide sustenance for sooty mold that can cause further infestations and damage to trees. 

There are more than 60 varieties that occur in Michigan, and many times they are not noticed or are ignored until tree or shrub branches start to die. So, let’s take a look at some of the negative effects scale infestations can have on tree health and the importance of applying treatments as quickly as possible.

Types of Scale Insects

Soft (Lecanium), kermes, and bark scales produce honeydew. These scales feed directly on plant parts that transport fluid and nutrients. This can reduce plant growth and cause leaf drop or branch dieback. The most common symptom of soft scale infestation is an accumulation of honeydew and sooty mold on or beneath a plant.

Armored Scales

Armored scales do not produce honeydew. The armored scale’s straw-like mouth moves like a plumber’s snake to burst plant cells and feed on their contents. This can reduce plant growth and vigor. Common symptoms of infestation include premature leaf drop and branch dieback.  

Pit Scales

Pit scales are likely to do the same to the raised plant tissue that surrounds them. If there are large numbers of scale, the pits coalesce, making the twig surface appear dimpled and roughened. Feeding by oak pit scales can kill twigs and the dead leaves remain on infested twigs through the winter. 

Juniper Scales

The Juniper scale is a very common and sometimes serious pest of juniper. They are light gray or white, very small, and nearly circular. That’s because they like to attach themselves to the underside of the needles, rather than the bark. 

One of the first signs of an infestation is when leaves on individual branches begin losing their color and may eventually die.

Lecanium And Cottony Maple Scales

Lecanium scale and Cottony Maple scale are the most common in Southeast Michigan. They will cover the branches of silver maple, honeylocust, and many other species of hardwood trees in our area.

The biggest problem comes from the droplets of honeydew raining down from infested trees in May and early June. Honeydew is the sugary liquid waste excreted by scale insects. A considerable amount of honeydew is excreted because scale insects need to suck a lot of sap from trees in order to get the amount of protein they need for growth and development.

Another problem that can develop is mold. The honeydew is often mistaken for tree sap as it covers cars and buildings under infested trees. The accumulation of honeydew can lead to the growth of black, sooty mold. Finding sooty mold under a plant is often the first indication that there are scale insects, but it may also indicate aphids and other sucking insects.

Do Scale Infestations Kill Trees?

Scale infestations rarely kill trees but can damage them and be especially hard on young trees. Even the most mature trees can become thin, and experience branch dieback from an infestation. And repeated heavy Lecanium scale infestations can kill branches or crown dieback in trees. 

When Do Scale Insects Appear?

There are typically two times of the year that scale insects become active. It’s because there are two generations in Michigan. The first hatching in early to mid-June, and the second in late July or early August. 

How To Control Scale Insects

The good news is that there are ways to control scale populations.  Even after noticing eggs on your trees and shrubs, these natural predators can be held in check. A proactive approach is best. 

But keep this in mind, scale insects are not so easy to control with traditional contact insecticides because of the covering that protects their bodies.

The most effective control strategy is to spray with insecticides, beginning at egg hatch, when the so-called crawlers first appear. Because using insecticides during the hatching period when crawlers are first observed will provide maximum effectiveness.

You don’t have to let scale insects destroy your trees! If you’d like to find out how to get them under control or get rid of them altogether— contact Safari Tree. One of our professional arborists will be happy to give you a rundown of the quick, effective treatment and prevention services we offer.

What Is the Best Way to Control Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes can make the spring, summer, and fall months absolutely miserable, especially if your home is near a body of water. And while bug zappers and insect repellents are more of a temporary fix, the best way to control mosquitoes is to form a barrier on your property.

But how do you do that?

Let’s take a look at some of the ways to keep them at bay.

Why Treat For Mosquitoes?

Before we talk about controlling mosquitoes around your home, it’s important to understand the reasons why you should keep your mosquito population from getting too big. First, they’re a nuisance. No matter where you go or what you do, they’ll find you and bite. 

Secondly, mosquitoes can transmit a number of different infectious diseases, many of which cause long-term health problems or can be fatal. After they get a piece of you, they travel from host to host, transmitting mosquito-borne diseases, diseases found in Southeast Michigan include:

  • West Nile Virus
  • Zika
  • Eastern Equine Encephalitis 

Mosquitoes can also affect the local economy. If you live in an area that’s prone to mosquitoes, it can hurt home values and tourism dollars. 

Mosquito Breeding Grounds To Look For

There are a few things that attract mosquitoes to be aware of so you can start to reduce your mosquito population. The first step in doing this is to control the areas in which they like to breed.

Mosquitoes can breed anywhere with standing water. As long as there is an inch or more of water, mosquitoes will lay their eggs. 

You can prevent a mosquito problem by removing water sources, including:

  • Ponds
  • Swimming pools
  • Birdbaths 
  • Puddles 

Essentially, areas where their eggs won’t wash downstream. And remember, mosquitoes understand that water can evaporate at a rapid rate, so they often search for deep pools of water to lay their eggs.

Best Way To Control Mosquitoes

To reduce mosquito numbers around your home, form a barrier between you and the bugs. 

While at-home sprays can help temporarily ward off mosquitoes, the best way to control mosquitoes is to have a professional apply a powerful spray. That way, you’ll have a barrier in place that prevents mosquitoes from entering backyards in the first place — versus having to fight these insects off after they’re inside the “fence,” so to speak. 

A professional team will also know exactly what type of insecticide to use and where to place it. 

They’re trained to locate and eliminate your mosquito problem at its source.

Investing in a professional mosquito spray treatment, like those offered by Safari Tree, can protect you and your family all season long.

Our mosquito control is GUARANTEED to kill mosquito larvae. We use ​proven methods to do this, as well as natural mosquito control. It’s a powerful mist treatment that covers your property without jeopardizing safety.

Contact Safari Tree’s professional pest control services today to get a free estimate.