Mosquito Prevention and Control Archives | Topbest Pest Control Services

February 10, 2023March 9, 2023

Role of Professional Mosquito Control Services

Mosquitoes are carriers of diseases that impact humans, animals, and plants, making mosquito control services crucial, especially in urban areas where most of the population resides. This necessitates the need to curb the mosquito population. In this article, we discuss the role of professional mosquito control services.

Professional mosquito control services stop the spread of disease by using various methods to reduce the population of mosquitoes. These methods include the following:

Source reduction: This involves removing or reducing sites where mosquitoes can breed, such as stagnant pools of water, flooded areas, and gutters.
Larvicides: This is the process of applying insecticides to mosquito breeding sites to kill larvae before they mature into adult mosquitoes.
Adulticides: This involves spraying insecticides into the air to kill adult mosquitoes.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): This involves a combination of methods that include source reduction, larvicides, and adulticides. It also includes surveillance, public monitoring, and public education.

Most professional mosquito control services utilize IPM to achieve complete success in curbing the mosquito population.

Why are professional mosquito control services so important?

As mentioned above, mosquitoes are carriers of a wide range of diseases that range from mild to deadly. Among the more significant diseases, the following are particularly thought of in connection to mosquito proliferation:

Dengue fever

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. It is a worldwide public concern, especially in tropical and subtropical places like the Philippines. Typical symptoms of dengue may include high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, rashes, nausea, and vomiting. A more severe and life-threatening progression of dengue is dengue hemorrhagic fever, which has symptoms of severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, easy bruising and bleeding, and tiny red spots on the skin. While there is no specific treatment for dengue, it can be prevented by reducing the mosquito population and protecting the self from being bitten.

Malaria

Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by a parasite transmitted through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It’s widespread in areas that have big mosquito populations; namely, tropical and subtropical areas. Symptoms of malaria may include high fever, chills, headaches, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, jaundice, and anemia. In severe cases, it can even lead to kidney failure, cerebral malaria, or death. There is a treatment for malaria in the form of antimalarial drugs, but it is also prudent to prevent it by staying away from mosquito-prone areas.

Zika virus

A viral disease also transmitted through the bite of the Aedes mosquito, the Zika virus has symptoms that are usually mild, like fever, rash, muscle and joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), headache, and fatigue. However, infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects and brain abnormalities in the infant.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a viral disease that can cause jaundice, fever, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it can also be fatal. It is transmitted by the Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes and is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America.

West Nile virus

West Nile Virus or WNV is a viral disease spread by the Culex mosquito. Having first been discovered in the West Nile regions of Uganda, it has since spread throughout other parts of the world. Most people do not show symptoms, but around 20% develop West Nile fever, and in severe cases, it can cause West Nile neuroinvasive disease, which can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, thus leading to much more serious symptoms.

For all these viruses, curbing the mosquito population is vital to prevent the spread of mosquito-carried diseases. That’s why professional mosquito control services are so important.

Why should you hire a professional?

Above all, hiring a professional ensures that you get services of the highest quality. Yes, it is possible to spray insecticide in your own home. But that is a temporary solution, especially if you live in an area prone to breeding sites. There are various ways to protect your home from mosquitoes, but at the end of the day, a thorough inspection, evaluation, and maintenance will work wonders for you if your home is frequently infested with mosquitoes.

If you’re looking for a professional, look no further than the top pest control services in the Philippines to ensure that you get your money’s worth. Our clients’ testimonials prove that our service is top-notch because we value your home or building just as much as you do, and thus, we want to preserve it. We also value your health and that of your family, so we want to do all we can to keep those pests away.

Contact us today for a quote on our mosquito prevention and control services. We guarantee you’ll be getting only the best!

October 19, 2022October 18, 2022

Dengue Prevention and Control: 7 Things Every Homeowner Should Do

What are things to do for dengue prevention and control at home?

Reduce possible habitats
Stay in screened areas
Use mosquito repellants
Keep your home airy and well-lit
Dry wet clothing and fabrics as soon as possible
Dispose of waste properly
Use pest control

Dengue fever is unfortunately very common in our tropical home — and the risk of catching it gets higher during and after the rainy season.

Dengue symptoms include high fever, nausea, vomiting, rashes, and various aches and pains. This sickness can be very difficult to deal with and recover from.

That said, there are many ways to reduce the risk of dengue, and possibly even avoid it entirely at home. It’s important to know what these are to help keep you and your family safe during this time of year! In this post, we’ve prepared seven dengue prevention and control tips for you to use at home:

Reduce possible habitats

Mosquitoes are known to like living near stagnant water because it provides the perfect environment for them to lay their larvae. When these hatches, the pupae can easily survive and grow since there is little to no water flow.

This is why it is important to look around your home for any possible habitats — i.e., pools of stagnant water. Whether they’re clean or dirty water, you should get rid of them. Take a look at objects such as tires, flower pots, pet water bowls, plastic containers, etc. around your home for any pools of water.

We also recommend checking your water systems (such as your septic tank and plumbing pipes) are free of any leaks. You can also drain and clean your roof gutters to avoid any build-up of water.

Reducing the habitat available for these mosquitoes by getting rid of these bodies of water can help prevent dengue at home.

Stay in screened areas

Adding screens to your windows and doors can prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. If you already have screens, make sure there are no holes or gaps. And, if there are any, have them replaced or repaired promptly.

Once you’ve checked your screened areas, make sure to keep them tightly shut once the sun sets, as this is the time of day when mosquitoes are most active. Keeping these areas closed off will also reduce the risk of them entering your home.

Use mosquito repellants

Using mosquito repellants, such as sprays, mosquito bands, anti-mosquito wipes, and even burning coils or incense around your home can drive these pests away. You must use these measures when you are outdoors, as you’re more exposed.

Indoors, you can use these repellants at night, when the mosquitoes are active.

Keep your home airy and well-lit

As we mentioned, mosquitoes like to frequent areas that are damp and have pools of water. But, they also like staying in places that are dark and cool.

To make them less likely to infest your home, you should try to keep your home airy and well-lit. This should help prevent your home from getting too humid, as well as dry up any damp or wet spots around the house.

Dry wet clothing and fabrics as soon as possible

Likewise, you should also avoid keeping any piles of wet clothing, towels, rugs, or other fabrics. This can attract mosquitoes, as they make the area cool and moist for them.

Keep any wet and soggy clothes or other items away from dry ones. Also, try to dry them as soon as possible, by either hanging them to dry under the sun or placing an electric fan nearby to air-dry them.

Dispose of waste properly

Aside from water, mosquitoes are also attracted to junk and dirt. Avoid leaving trash around your house. Likewise, avoid letting it pile up outside your house. Any pile of trash can end up housing these pests, and providing a nice habitat for them to lay their eggs. This is a big risk, as it could lead to an infestation — especially if your trash is wet or soggy.

We also suggest separating any liquids or wet garbage you want to throw away from the rest of your trash. Keep these in a closed and sealed bin until your trash is collected.

Use pest control

You can also periodically get your home inspected and treated for any mosquito problems you may have. Pest control partners, such as Topbest, are equipped with the materials, tools, and know-how you need to get rid of any pest problem you have — for good — and keep your home safe!

You never know when these mosquitoes will strike, or if any of the ones hanging around your home are carriers of a deadly disease. While these prevention methods above are a great way to control their numbers, it’s important to work with the professional team of Topbest. We will provide the right household pest control and preventative measures to prevent outbreaks within your home!

Key Takeaway

Dengue is one of the biggest threats that our home faces today. We never know where these pests are lurking, or when they might infect us — but thankfully, there are several dengue prevention and control measures that we can use at home to keep ourselves safe!

If you’re interested in working with us to clear out any pest problems you have, contact us here — we give free consultations!

October 18, 2022October 18, 2022

6 Reasons Why Schools in the Philippines Need Pest Control

What are the reasons why schools in the Philippines need pest control?

Schools must be a safe environment
Schools must be sanitary
Schools provide the ideal conditions for pests to thrive
Schools are empty several times a year
Children and infants are more susceptible to pest-related problems
Pests can cause damage to school property

Schools, much like other structures in the Philippines, are susceptible to pest infestations. These can provide an environment ideal for rodents, mosquitoes, and other insects to thrive in, which poses serious health risks for both students and staff.

This is why availing pest control services in the Philippines, and exerting regular prevention and control measures, are so important for schools. These are key to ensuring that school is not only a place where children can learn, but also feel safe and comfortable. Here are 6 reasons why schools in the Philippines need pest control.

Schools must be a safe environment

Schools are required, by law, to do their best to remove possible safety hazards from their buildings and campus. Though it isn’t a legal requirement for a school to have pest control contact, it does help get rid of the pests that are common in schools, such as flies, ants, cockroaches, rodents, spiders, and mosquitoes.

This is a sensitive matter for any school to manage as their own, as a pest problem can quickly get out of hand and cause health and safety risks to everyone in the building. A pest control company can effectively and quickly deal with infestation problems before it causes harm or damage to the school.

Schools provide the ideal conditions for pests to thrive

There are many areas in the school that are perfect for pests to hide, eat, and breed in. These include hard-to-reach places, such as roof spaces and corners. And, humid rooms or places with lots of food sources (like the school cafeteria, food stores, janitor’s closets, and the like) are also common hotspots for pests. They provide the ideal conditions for many of them, including cockroaches and rodents.

Pest control can help make sure these areas are inspected and treated regularly for effective prevention measures. Pest control teams can also help make sure these places are less than ideal for pests so that they’re discouraged from infesting the area. These two things are essential measures to reduce the risk of a pest problem.

Schools must be sanitary

Schools must be hygienic to keep everyone inside safe. This is especially true for schools that deal with younger children, who are often very messy. They drop food on the floor while eating, aren’t careful in restrooms, and leave other messes around — which end up inviting a variety of pests.

This makes sanitation a very big concern for schools. Luckily, pest control companies can help devise a custom strategy to not only protect children from the health issues linked to pest problems but also to keep them at bay.

Schools are empty several times a year

Did you know that pests prefer to never go near humans? As often as we might see them, they’d actually go out of their way to avoid human contact.

While this does keep them out of sight, it creates another problem for schools. Since these buildings aren’t active every day, there are many windows of time where pests get to roam around as they please, without fear of encountering a human. This is also the perfect time for them to multiply and create an infestation.

Pest control professionals often schedule school-wide inspections during the weekend or summer vacation for this very reason. By using their services, you can guarantee that your school opens its doors pest-free and with a robust pest control strategy in place.

Children and infants are more susceptible to pest-related problems

Children are still growing in many different aspects while they attend school. This also includes their immune systems. They’re much more immature and underdeveloped compared to adults, which means that they don’t have as strong protection as we do against the kinds of germs and bacteria that pests bring around.

Unfortunately, a school with a pest problem is putting its children at risk of sickness. This is because young children like to play on the floor, place objects and fingers into their mouths, and try to get into small and dark spaces as they explore.

This can expose them to different germs, pests, insects, or their eggs and larvae — which can cause serious illness. For other kids, insect infestations can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

Proactive measures and an experienced pest control company are a must to prevent pests so that your students are safe.

Pests can cause damage to school property

Rodents, termites, and other pests can cause significant damage to things inside your school. Rats and mice can tear up papers and wires, while termites eat through wood and furniture.

Even a minor pest problem can cause damage to your school, especially since they can find their way across campus and can even access locked rooms.

Pest control is an effective way of keeping your pest problem under control and reducing the damage that can be caused by them.

Key Takeaway

As you can see there are many problems that pests can cause in a school in the Philippines, which is why schools need pest control services.

If you are looking for a professional who can offer your school the highest standard of service, a wide variety of pest control methods, and ongoing support, then contact Topbest! We provide the best pest control services in the Philippines, and have just the right solution to keep you pest-free!

September 8, 2022September 7, 2022

How To Keep Mosquitoes Away During Rainy Season

What are the different ways to keep mosquitoes away during the rainy season?

Avoid leaving stagnant water
Close your doors and windows
Use insect repellents and creams
Set up mosquito traps
Make use of natural methods
Get a few mosquito repellant plants

In the Philippines, the rainy season falls from June to November. With the rainy season here again, households and families need to take extra precautions against mosquitoes from coming into the house. During this type of weather, pesky mosquitoes thrive. Many places are made available to breed on, and since their reproductive cycle is quick, a large-scale mosquito infestation can happen in no time.

That’s why it’s important to know how to keep mosquitoes away during the rainy season. In this article, we list down effective pest control methods you can apply to your house and among your family members.

Avoid leaving stagnant water

During the rainy season, households need to be more aware of stagnant or standing water. The rainfall allows various objects to fill with excess water. These places become a hatchery for mosquitoes. Since their reproductive cycle is quick, it can easily lead to mosquito infestation.

Look around your yard and house for signs of standing water. These can be in unused tires, pots, and even trash cans. You can clear your yard of these items or make it a habit to empty them multiple times a day.

Aside from the house, you must also stay clear of areas that have stagnant water. These can be places in your neighborhood, school, or workplace that are prone to flooding. By doing so, you can avoid getting bitten by these pesky insects.

Close your doors and windows

With the rain pouring every few days, the humidity in the air rises. It’s even at 100% when it’s raining. The high humidity is a favorable environment for mosquitoes to breed.

To keep your household safe, keep the doors and windows closed especially at night. This will prevent mosquitoes from entering and breeding inside your house. You’ll be saving the member of your house from various diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

Use insect repellents and creams

Applying insect repellant sprays or creams is an effective way of keeping yourself safe during the rainy season. There are different products available on the market, from creams to lotions to sprays and even mosquito patches.

Before heading out of the house, apply insect repellent products on exposed parts of your skin. It’s also important for you to read the instructions provided on the packaging of these products. It tells you its wear time and how to properly apply the product.

Set up mosquito traps

You can also set up mosquito traps both inside and outside your house. These are lamps that are designed to kill various insects. The light bulb of the lamp attracts insects, including mosquitoes, towards it. Once it’s near, an electric device kills the insect. These traps make a sound every time a bug has been killed.

This can be very effective in keeping your home insect free. It’s also good to have it set up outside, near doors, to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house. However, households with children need to be extremely careful in dealing with these lamps. They can be dangerous when left on the floors. Make sure your children aren’t left unattended when these are in use.

Make use of natural methods

There are also natural methods you can use to keep mosquitoes away during this season. The things you need can already be inside your pantries.

Garlic

Garlic is not only handy in cooking but also insect repelling. This bulb contains sulfurs that are effective in driving away a wide range of insects, including mosquitoes. On top of that, the lingering odor of garlic can deter mosquitoes from areas for days.

To use garlic for mosquito repelling, you can turn it into a spray. Simply crush some garlic cloves and put them in the water to boil. You can spray this in areas of your home to act as an insect repellant.

Citronella Oil

This is an essential oil that is extracted from citronella grass. It’s known to be very effective in keeping mosquitoes from biting.

Citronella oil can be used in many ways. You can directly apply it to your skin just like you would with other insect repellent creams. This essential oil can also be added to air humidifiers. Add a few drops of it so that its smell can be emitted and spread all over your house.

Get a few mosquito repellant plants

There are also indoor plants that are known to repel mosquitoes. You can think of adding these plants to your collections of plant babies. Place them on windows or by the door so that they can effectively keep the mosquitoes away.

Tulsi Plant

The strong aroma of the Tulsi plant is what repels mosquitoes away. It is also known for effectively killing mosquito larvae.

This plant is from the same family as the Basil plant. So other varieties of basil like Lemon can also be used in repelling mosquitoes at home.

Lavender

Known for its medicinal properties, the lavender plant can also ward off mosquitoes. Its sweet aroma is actually what keeps the pests away.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know how to keep mosquitoes away during the rainy season, it’s time to act. Be extra cautious of different breeding grounds of insects and always have insect repellent sprays ready.

Keep in mind that DIY mosquito control methods might not always be effective and can cost more in the long run. Get rid of your mosquito infestation problem while getting the best value for your money!

Book a free pest inspection here at Topbest. As a reputable pest control service provider in the Philippines, our team can help you eliminate mosquitoes from your home with our effective mosquito prevention and control service. Contact us here at Topbest today!

September 7, 2022September 7, 2022

Importance Of Indoor Mosquito Control

What is the importance of indoor mosquito control?

Mosquitoes can enter your home through various points
Prevents mosquitoes from breeding indoors
Prevents nuisance biting
Protects your family from diseases

Mosquito control should not be limited to the outdoors. It’s easy for people to remember to put on mosquito patches and lotion to avoid getting bitten when heading out, but what about indoors? The inside of your home is not safe from these destructive pests. You must understand the importance of indoor mosquito control because there are many spots inside your house where mosquitoes can breed. They also bring different problems into your home like nuisance biting and fatal diseases. Continue reading to find out just how important it is to keep your home safe!

Mosquitoes can enter your home through various points

Even with your doors locked tight, it’s still possible for mosquitoes to get inside your house. Your home has many spaces that mosquitoes will want to settle in especially cool, shaded places.

There are various entry points in your house that you may be unaware of. Mosquitoes can easily get in through your carports and garages since you’re bound to leave the doors wide open when parking your car.

Mosquitoes can also get in through damaged screens and poorly sealed windows. You can easily prevent this by getting screens patched up or repaired once you spot once you see signs of damage. Make sure to also tightly seal windows since mosquitoes don’t pick a time of day to enter your home.

If mosquitoes get into your home, they’ll find solace in cool, shaded places provided by indoor plants because they like to stay away from the sun. They like vegetation and organic materials! You can prevent them from breeding in your plants by keeping leaves properly trimmed and avoiding over-watering to prevent standing water from accumulating.

Prevents mosquitoes from breeding indoors

There are two things that mosquitoes look for in a hatchery: standing water and organic material. This makes it possible to have a mosquito hatchery both inside and outside your home. The mosquito larvae feed on the organic material in the standing water to develop into adult mosquitoes.

It’s important to be aware of the different places at home where mosquitoes can breed.

Here are a few places where they can breed:

Beverage Cups

Leaving a cup with water and organic material in it allows mosquitoes to breed in that space. That’s why those who drink coffee and tea need to be careful. The organic materials in these two drinks can easily attract mosquitoes. After drinking any kind of beverage, take it to the sink for immediate washing. Don’t give mosquitoes a reason to stick around.

Flower Vases & Indoor Plants

There is organic material left in flower vases. Standing water with flower debris and leaves is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. For your indoor plants, overwatering them creates standing water on top of the soil. Change your flower’s water daily and keep empty vases clean to not attract mother mosquitoes there.

Soap Dishes in the Bathroom

There is a lot of organic material in the bathroom, both from humans and bacteria. Since humans use soap to clean their bodies, organic material is easily transferred to them. The little standing water in soap dishes can easily attract mother mosquitoes. Make it a habit to empty your soap dish to keep those mosquitoes away.

Water on Drains

There are drains around the house that aren’t used daily like the shower and laundry drain. However, water can lie on top of it especially if the drain turns out to be clogged. This can be a haven for mosquito larvae. Check if your drains are properly working to prevent standing water from developing.

Prevents nuisance biting

When mosquitoes land on your skin, there is a lot of biting involved. That’s because these pests naturally feed on blood and nectar.

Once bitten, you may get itchy red spots. When a mosquito bites, its proboscis pierces the skin to suck the blood. While it’s feeding, their saliva is also injected into the skin. Human bodies react to that mosquito’s saliva, creating those itchy red spots.

This is why indoor mosquito control is important. You can prevent nuisance biting and itching.

Protect family from various diseases

Mosquito infestation can bring many diseases into your home. In tropical countries like the Philippines, mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever. This is caused by the Aedes mosquito. Symptoms of dengue fever include high fever, severe headaches, dry rashes, and joint pains. When it’s not treated, it can be fatal.

Another disease brought in by mosquitoes is Malaria. Infected female Anopheles transmits a parasite into your body’s system and directly attacks your liver. Once in your body, the parasite reproduces quickly and aims to target your red blood cells, resulting in a disruption in your body’s entire blood flow. Severe infections of malaria can lead to malaria and even death.

It’s important to have professionals take care of your mosquito control. A mosquito-free household is a safer one.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know the importance of indoor mosquito control, make sure you take the necessary steps on preventing these pests from entering your home. It lessens the risk of bites and contracting mosquito-transmitted diseases.

If you’re looking for a trusted pest control company in the Philippines, you can contact us here at Topbest. We have a staff of certified professionals ready to keep your homes safe from mosquito infestation and we offer free consultation.

August 2, 2022

How A Pest Control Company Can Help with Dengue Prevention

Man itching and scratching on hand from allergy skin rash cause

How can a pest control company help with dengue prevention?

Inspects your property thoroughly
Understands the most effective mosquito treatments
Prevents mosquito breeding
Follows up with mosquito control

Dengue virus is an infection transmitted to humans through an infected mosquito bite. It is transmitted mainly by the species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These are the same mosquitoes that transmit the chikungunya, Zika virus, and yellow fever. 1 in 20 people with dengue will develop severe dengue, which has a risk of shock, internal bleeding, and worse, death. What’s more concerning is that up to 400 million contract dengue disease each year.

Worried about mosquitoes in your home? Keep on reading to learn exactly how pest control can help with dengue prevention!

Inspects your Property Thoroughly

As mentioned above, mosquitoes can transmit the dengue virus. So, once you have a mosquito infestation on your property, it’s crucial to be proactive and seek a pest control professional.

When you ask for help from a pest control company they will first send pest control experts for inspection. Effective pest control treatments start with an inspection.

Pest control professionals will look for places where mosquitoes are likely to appear, identify potential breeding grounds, and seek out the root cause of your pest problem. Sometimes, a thorough mosquito control inspection will also uncover other pest infestations that you are not aware of. For example, during the inspection, a growing termite or rat infestation might be discovered.

Understands the Most Effective Mosquito Treatments

Once your property has been thoroughly inspected, pest control experts will know how to treat the root cause of the mosquito infestation.

Proper treatment is needed to remove the risk of the dengue virus on your property. But, keep in mind that every mosquito infestation case is unique and the treatments will need to be customized. There are over 3,000 mosquito species, and 2 of those are dengue-disease carriers (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). In addition, every mosquito species goes through distinct life cycles, which can require different pest control methods.

Mosquito control and treatment options can include management of larvae and adult mosquitoes, residual spraying, misting and fogging, and more.

One of the most effective ways to control mosquito populations is to implement the treatment when the mosquitoes are immobile and concentrated. This is when the mosquitoes are still in their immature life cycle stages, like the egg, larva, and pupa stage. This approach ensures the effectiveness of pesticides and also lessens the need for widespread pesticide application.

To combat the outbreak of dengue, it’s also important to control the population of adult mosquitoes, as these are the ones who can bite and transmit the virus to humans.

Prevents Mosquito Breeding

Habitat modifications might also be recommended to prevent the breeding of dengue-causing mosquitoes. The main goal is to keep these pests from finding a spot where they could lay their eggs. Pest control experts will work with you to address areas where mosquitoes can breed.

It only takes a few days for mosquito eggs to hatch, then develop into adult mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus. Stopping the eggs from hatching is crucial for controlling the pest problem on your property.

Remember that mosquitoes will only need an inch of water to lay eggs. Overall, the life cycle of a mosquito from egg to an adult will only take approximately 8-10 days.

Once adult mosquitoes develop, the male ones will feed on nectar from flowers while the females will feed on humans and animals. Aedes aegypti, the species that can transmit the dengue virus, prefer to bite humans. After feeding, they will look for water sources where they can lay their eggs.

Follows Up with Mosquito Control

When you hire a pest control company, a follow-up appointment will be recommended to make sure that the mosquito treatments are effective. Further treatments will be done if needed.

Hiring a pest control company can ensure that your mosquito problems are truly eliminated and that the danger of dengue is significantly reduced.

Key Takeaway

Mosquitoes, especially the species of Aedes aegypti, are vectors of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika virus. While most people affected by dengue will recover after a week, 1 in 20 people can develop severe dengue and die. To remove or significantly reduce the risk of dengue virus on your property, it’s a good idea to consider pest control.

Now that you know how pest control can help with dengue prevention, protect your loved ones’ health from this growing endemic! As a reputable pest control service provider in the Philippines, our team at Topbest is here to tell you that the most important thing to do to prevent dengue is by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds from your home in the first place. Mosquito prevention and control is the key to avoiding dengue.

Don’t hesitate to book a free pest inspection with us here at Topbest! With years of experience providing pest control services in the Philippines, you can rely on us to solve your mosquito problems. Rest assured that our specialists and exterminators will provide you with protection from mosquitoes, effectively reducing the risk of dengue!

May 6, 2022May 12, 2022

How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes Outdoors

How do you get rid of mosquitoes outdoors?

Tidy up your outdoor area
Clear up standing water
Use mosquito repelling plants
Install a fan
Set up mosquito traps
Use insecticides
Hire a professional pest control team

Mosquitoes may be small, but they can be bothersome and annoying. Some mosquitoes bite people or animals and cause itching and swelling. Other than that, there are also mosquitoes that can spread pathogens that can make you sick too. Remember that it just takes a few infected mosquitoes to cause an outbreak in your community. That’s why it’s important to know how to get rid of mosquitoes outdoors. Keep on reading!

Tidy Up Your Outdoor Area

Mosquitoes love to live in dark and humid places. Some common examples are in tall grass, hollow trees, and under leaves. If you have much debris in your outdoor area, then it’s almost possible to make them leave. That’s why the first thing you do for pest management is to keep the outdoor area clean. Trim tall grass, get rid of weeds, and remove any fallen branches where mosquitoes may hide and breed.

Clear Up Standing Water

By preventing mosquito breeding, you can get rid of mosquitoes for good. For reference, a female mosquito can lay more than 700 eggs in her lifespan. Through the first three stages of life of a mosquito — egg, larvae, and pupae — they depend on water. This is why one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of mosquitoes outdoors is to get rid of standing water!

Check for pooling water in plant pots, birdbaths, pet bowls, buckets, trash can lids, gutters, and more. Fix water leaks immediately to prevent this problem.

Use Mosquito Repelling Plants

The general rule of thumb is to move potted plants indoors if possible. This is because pots can fill up with excess water where mosquitoes can breed. But if you still want to beautify your landscape, then it’s beneficial to use mosquito-repelling plants outdoors. Some of these plants have fragrances and chemicals that can help get rid of these pests.

Examples of mosquito-repelling plants include citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint. When using planter boxes, consider installing drainage pipes to prevent standing water.

Install A Fan

Mosquitoes are not very great flyers. They won’t be able to fly and navigate properly when exposed to streams of air. That’s why fans can help you mess with their flying ability. This can help you deter mosquitoes in the area. As a bonus, fans can also help keep you cool outdoors. This is useful when you need to stay outside for a prolonged time — such as when having an outdoor barbecue.

Set Up Mosquito Traps

Mosquito traps can help control the population of mosquitoes in your outdoor area, as long as you do it right. There are traps with a sticky surface and others that use electrocution to get rid of mosquitoes.

To make the most out of a mosquito trap, place them in areas where these insects tend to stay and breed. You might have to move the trap around to find the best placement. Aside from that, you might also have to try out different traps to see what’s effective and what’s not.

Use Insecticides

If you’ve done everything and mosquitoes are still a nuisance, then you can use an insecticide. This can kill eggs, larvae, and also adult mosquitoes. Make sure that you only do this as one of the last resort, as insecticides can also harm other insects, such as bees and butterflies — which are beneficial for the environment.

Hire A Professional Pest Control Team

To save your time with trial and error with DIY methods, consider hiring a professional pest control team to help you get rid of mosquitoes outdoors. They are experts when it comes to dealing with different kinds of pests — including those pesky mosquitoes! Aside from that, they are knowledgeable about the safety practices needed when applying chemicals, so you don’t have to put your safety at risk when using insecticides.

Key Takeaway

Mosquitoes are a nuisance, even if they’re outdoors. Don’t wait for them to get into your home or office before doing what you can to get rid of them! Some mosquitoes can even spread pathogens, so it can put your family or community at risk.

If you want to know how to get rid of mosquitoes outdoors, you can contact us here at Topbest! Our specialists will use tried-and-tested methods to get rid of mosquitoes for good. You can schedule a free pest consultation for your home or office by clicking here.

October 19, 2021October 18, 2021

6 Things That Attract Mosquitoes

What are some things that attract mosquitoes?

Blood and breath
Body odor
Dark colors
Floral scents
Stagnant water
Cool, dark places

For a long time now, mosquitoes have been a problem in the Philippines. These insects are deadly because of their ability to rapidly spread disease. A good example is how the dengue fever outbreak was notoriously caused by mosquitoes. Malaria is also widespread. In fact, mosquitoes kill around 725,000 humans every year, being named as the world’s deadliest animal.

This means we need to find out the things that attract mosquitoes to understand them better and learn how to control these outbreaks. Mosquito attraction has been heavily researched through the years, and we’ve compiled in a short list the most attractive things to a mosquito. Read on to find out!

Blood and breath

Mosquitoes are insects that naturally feed on blood and nectar. It is the female mosquitoes who primarily need blood, and humans are definitely on the menu. Because of this, mosquitoes have a special liking for some substances and chemicals that our bodies produce. This dictates their instinct on where to get the blood that they need.

Do you know what your blood type is? We’ve never known mosquitoes to be picky eaters. But believe it or not, mosquitoes are more attracted to some blood types than others. People with type O blood are apparently more appetizing to mosquitoes than others!

These insects are also attracted to the carbon dioxide that we all exhale. Some speculate that the heat of our breath is a factor too. Recent studies add that lactic acid also attracts mosquitoes to us. Since our breath is a mix of chemicals such as both carbon dioxide and lactic acid, it becomes an appetizer for the mosquitoes.

Body odor

They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This time, one man’s body odor is another mosquito’s next meal. The body odor we have that comes from our sweat and other secretions could cause a mouthwatering reaction to mosquitoes (if they had mouths!)

This means that if you’re exercising, with the combination of sweat, body odor, and increased breathing rate and body heat, you start to look like the juiciest dinner for mosquitoes around!

The stuff we eat and drink also affects the secretions we produce, like lactic acid. This means that downing a beer after that workout will make you even more attractive to mosquitoes!

Quickly dry yourself, cool down with a drink of water, and cover yourself with repellant to avoid getting bitten.

Dark colors

Mosquitoes are not known for their eyesight. For whatever reason, they seem to be more attracted to darker colors. They can’t tell colors apart as well as we do, so maybe the strength of the color you are wearing will make you more detectable. It will serve as a signal to mosquitoes that something is nearby.

Wearing dark clothes outside will make you a bigger target for mosquitoes, so make sure you wear lighter coloring outside!

Floral Scents

Male mosquitoes feed on nectar from flowers. While female mosquitoes are the ones who like blood, the scent of flowers still contributes to what they find attractive. What scents do your skin products use?

If your lotion, perfume, or other products smell like flowers, then it might be attracting more mosquitoes for you. Consider using different scents to avoid more mosquitoes. Or if you want, there are some floral-scented mosquito repellants out there too!

Stagnant water

When the dengue outbreak was at its peak, we were always reminded to avoid stagnant water. We should spill the water collecting in old tires, washing basins, and other places where water could collect. This is because stagnant water can attract mosquitoes as well.

Mosquitoes breed and lay eggs in stagnant water. Not only would spilling water avoid attracting mosquitoes, but it could also possibly eliminate eggs in the water. The fewer mosquitoes there are, the fewer vectors for disease are active.

Cool, dark places

Humans are not the only animals who try to steer clear of the heat. Mosquitoes also like to rest in cool, dark places, away from the heat of the sun. Tall plants often provide good shade for mosquitoes, and they can collect stagnant water from the rain. In other words, mosquitoes love vegetation too!

Keeping your plants properly trimmed and free of standing water should help.

Key takeaway

If your home has all these things that attract mosquitoes, then it might be a breeding ground for disease. Mosquitoes are deadly animals, and it should be our priority to protect our families from the diseases that they carry, especially in the summer.

Do you often notice mosquitoes hovering around in your home? Do you always get bites despite using repellants? Then you might need professional help. Well, you’re in the right place! We offer mosquito prevention and control, along with other pest control services! Just send us a message here and we’ll set things up!

September 9, 2020

How to Prevent Mosquito Infestations During the Rainy Season

How can you prevent mosquito infestation during the rainy season?

Eliminate Stagnant Water Immediately
Utilize Mosquito Replants and Sprays
Keep Your Doors and Windows Closed
Professional Maintenance and Prevention
Declutter and Get Rid of Trash Daily

The rainy season has finally arrived. While we all indulge in the colder months, you should also be aware that it can come with downsides for your home. One of them being an influx in mosquitos. These pests just love moisture and humidity, and if your home is not well taken care of, you may experience a mosquito infestation. Luckily, there are many easy ways to prevent them from coming close to your home. In this article, we will explore some of the most effective ways on how to prevent mosquitos during the rainy season. If not prevented, these pests can put you and your family at higher risks to not only bites but to mosquito-transmitted diseases such as dengue, diarrhea, viral fever, typhoid, and more.

Eliminate Stagnant Water Immediately

Standing or stagnant water is one of the most common places that mosquitos breed and lay their eggs. In fact, female mosquitos can lay eggs that can turn into over more than a thousand mosquitoes. So make sure that you get rid of stagnant water immediately and thoroughly clean and empty pools, buckets, and containers and fill them with fresh water regularly.

In the case that you do accumulate mosquitos in a part of your home with stagnant water, make sure that you kill them first before throwing it out. This can be easily done by adding one milliliter of soap for every gallon of water. The mosquitos will drown with the addition of soap.

Utilize Mosquito Replants and Sprays

Now is the time you should maximize the use of your mosquito repellents and sprays. It is one of the quickest and most effective ways to prevent mosquito infestation in your house. Although it is important to use these with caution and as per the guidelines mentioned on its labels, especially if you have children and family members with respiratory concerns. If you are going outdoors, make sure that you also apply mosquito repellent cream on your body for an extra level of protection.

There are also a bunch of natural alternatives for chemical insect repellents such as camphor, garlic, coffee grounds, essential oils, and mint. However, they may not be as effective and work as fast.

If you don’t have any repellents and sprays stocked up on your home, you can easily find these products in a grocery store near you.

Keep Your Doors and Windows Closed

Always remember to keep your doors and windows at home shut during the rainy season. If you want some air and ventilation inside, make sure to use window nests or screens to prevent mosquitos from entering your home.

Professional Maintenance and Prevention

If you really want to prevent a mosquito infestation and mosquito-transmitted diseases at home, it’s best to rely on professionals such as pest control services to get the job done. With this, you are offered a reliable and guaranteed method. Plus, there are pest control companies that also offer environment-friendly and low-risk chemicals that will be safe for everyone in the family.

And if you haven’t considered pest maintenance at home, now is the time you should. It keeps your home free from pest-related diseases and ensures proper and safe pest control for all year round.

Declutter and Get Rid of Trash Daily Declutter

Mosquitos also love to breed on trash and any type of clutter. So, make sure that you keep your trash bins tightly sealed. It is also highly recommended to take the trash out daily for further prevention.

Key Takeaway

Now that the rainy season is here, make sure that you are taking steps on how to prevent mosquitos during the rainy season to lessen you and your family’s risks of bites and catching mosquito-transmitted diseases. If you’d like a mosquito and pest-free home throughout the rainy season, Topbest holds a staff of certified professionals who can help! Contact us for your pest control needs by clicking here!

September 10, 2019

Understanding the Behavior of Dengue Mosquitoes

What are the important things to remember regarding dengue mosquito behavior?

Preliminaries
Habitat and Reproductive Cycle
Feeding Pattern and Biting Behavior
Tips for Mosquito Control

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, otherwise known as the dengue mosquito, is an insect that has been under scrutiny recently due to the widespread outbreaks of the dengue virus. Since the virus is yet to have a vaccine that has been proven to be effective, mosquito control and prevention are still the main priority when it comes to combating the dengue epidemic.

This brings us back to the Aedes aegypti. As the only vector for the disease, knowing its specific characteristics and behavior is crucial to effective mosquito control. No one wants to be afflicted with the potentially lethal disease, so for that not to happen being informed is the first step. Here is what you need to know about dengue mosquitoes and their behavior.

Preliminaries

Before going into specific behavioral information, it is always important to be reminded of the basic information. The Aedes aegypti is a small, dark mosquito with white, lyre-shaped markings and banded legs. They are the only mosquitoes aside from other members of the Aedes genus that can transmit the dengue virus.

In terms of the virus itself, there are four known kinds of dengue and getting infected with any one of the four leads to the same symptoms and complications. Getting infected would also mean developing a life-long resistance to the virus itself, but do not forget that there are four variations and that you are only going to be immune to the specific type of dengue you have already contracted. This means you can potentially be infected with four different types in four separate instances if you’re unlucky. Just because you’ve recovered from one instance doesn’t mean you’re already safe. Complacency should be avoided.

Now that we have the preliminary information out of the way, it’s time to bring the focus back to the insect itself because there is much to know about them.

Habitat and Reproductive Cycle

If you didn’t already know, the Aedes aegypti is an insect that likes to live and breed around wet areas, especially open sources of water. This is because their eggs and subsequent larvae can only survive in water. After male and female mosquitoes mate, a process that can be as quick as fifteen seconds, the female will need a good amount of nutrients to help produce the eggs i.e. protein-rich blood.

This is where it will go out and find people and other organisms to bite. After successfully producing the eggs, the female mosquito will find a water container, be it natural or artificial, to lay their eggs in. This can come in the form of a tree stump, a flower pot, discarded tires, buckets, tin cans, gutters, and many more as long as it has stagnant water. Aside from that, places that are within close range to where humans live are ideal larval habitats. Underground collections of water are also not out of the question.

Feeding Pattern and Biting Behavior

Since females are the only ones that require blood as a food source, they are the only ones that bite other organisms. They prefer biting people because human blood is usually protein-rich and has nutrients. However, they also bite other creatures like dogs and other domesticated animals. Male Aedes aegypti are content with consuming plant nectar and will not bite.

Aedes aegypti bites are most common during the day, specifically two hours after sunrise and a couple of hours before sunset. However, don’t feel complacent at night because well-lit areas naturally attract mosquitoes and they will still bite if the opportunity arises. In terms of where they prefer to bite humans, the Aedes aegypti has been observed to prefer biting from behind, targetting your ankles and elbows.

Tips for Mosquito Control

Now that you have information to work with, here are a couple of tips for mosquito control that you can use to help prevent the spreading of dengue:
Source reduction – eliminate unnecessary container habitats that collect water because mosquitoes can, and will, breed their larvae in those habitats.

In connection to source reduction, using direct water sources and minimizing the use of wells and other water containers as a water source will be helpful.
To prevent bites, use mosquito repellant or wear long-sleeved clothing to protect your elbows and ankles.

If possible, look at the mosquito biting you because Aedes aegypti will have white marks on its body. It’s hard to miss it once spotted.
Contact your health authorities if you see an alarming amount of mosquitos in your area so that they can conduct an inspection and implement the necessary countermeasures.

Key Takeaway

A Dengue epidemic can be frightening, especially if it happens in your area. However, there’s no need to panic because there are things you can do to combat it and avoid getting infected. It all starts with being informed and then acting upon the information you’ve gained.