mosquito 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, 2022June 22, 2023

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. If you need professional help with your septic tank, why not look here for reliable experts who can provide the necessary help and guidance? 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!

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.

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.

January 26, 2021January 25, 2021

4 Mosquito Borne Diseases You Should Know About

Close-up of mosquito sucking blood from human arm.

What are the mosquito-borne diseases you should know about?

Dengue
Zika virus
Chikungunya
Yellow fever

During rainy seasons, dengue is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the Philippines, South-East Asia, and many other regions. But did you know that there are other diseases caused by this pesky insect? When left untreated, the worst of these diseases may even lead to fatalities. Some may not be life-threatening, but they may leave lasting effects that can make living a normal and healthy life, challenging.

Aside from dengue, mosquitos are also the cause of Zika Virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and many more. If you want to avoid getting sick by these insects in the first place, keep a lookout for potential symptoms and make good hygiene a priority. Continue reading to learn more.

Dengue

Dengue needs no introduction, but it’s still important to understand how this is spread. This viral disease is transmitted mainly when an individual gets bitten by a female Aedes species mosquito. The females need to consume human blood in order to facilitate the reproduction of eggs. When a mosquito bites someone who is infected with the dengue virus, they will become carriers or vectors and will spread the diseases to other humans through biting.

Fever is a common dengue symptom, but you should also look out for other signs such as vomiting, nausea, headaches, skin rashes, and other body pains. There is currently no treatment. However, the World Health Organization has recommended the use of Dengvaxia (dengue vaccine CYD-TDV) only for individuals that have previously caught the infection.

If you’re recovering from dengue at home, you can also do a number of pain relief techniques such as consuming paracetamol (ibuprofen or aspirin is not prescribed, since they may cause harmful side effects, like bleeding. Make sure that you stay hydrated and that you don’t drink water that has been left stagnant for some time.

Zika Virus

The first recorded outbreak of the Zika Virus was in the mid-20th century in the tropical region of Africa. There have since been other reported cases of this virus in areas like Central America, Africa, the Caribbean, South-East Asia, and the Pacific Region.

Zika Virus is transmitted similarly to dengue — i.e. through the bite of an Aedes mosquito — however, there are a few key differences. For one, there is potential for human-to-human transmission, especially after intercourse with an infected person. Pregnant women who contract this disease are also likely to pass it onto the baby, causing potential birth defects.

Another difference is that people infected with the Zika Virus may be asymptomatic or may only show mild symptoms like fever, body pains, conjunctivitis, or rashes. Consistently applying mosquito-repellent lotions, wearing covered outfits, and making sure that there is no standing water at home can help oneself from this disease.

Chikungunya

Also known as CHIK fever, chikungunya is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito and has spread in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Similar to the Zika Virus and dengue chikungunya is spread through bites from infected mosquitoes.

Symptoms from this mosquito-borne virus in infected individuals will show around 3 to 7 days after being bitten. These symptoms can be mild to debilitating, which can affect everyday life. Muscle and joint pains, in particular, may last for several months even after all other symptoms have gone away (fever, rashes, headaches).

Patients that have recovered from either any of the three diseases on the list may already be protected or immune from further reinfection in the future. You can protect yourself from this disease by practicing proper hygiene, wearing covered clothing, applying mosquito repellents, and keeping your surroundings clean and tidy.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is another mosquito-transmitted disease caused by the Aedes or the Haemagogus species. A typical symptom of this disease may be the following: body pains, nausea, vomiting, headaches, exhaustion, lethargy (weakness), chills, and fever. In some cases, patients may even develop jaundice which causes the skin and the eyes to turn yellowish.

The disease is endemic in Central America, South America, as well as Africa. Upon infection, the symptoms can be mild or severe. Most patients are able to recover and will not show any symptoms after four days. In severe cases, however, patients may experience a number of cardiac, kidney, and liver issues — all of which can result in fatality.

Yellow fever prevention can be done by taking precautions similar to what you’d do to prevent dengue, Zika Virus, and chikungunya. Vaccination is also effective and can provide long-lasting protection against the virus.

Key Takeaway

Some of the mosquito-borne diseases covered in this guide include the following: dengue, chikungunya, Zika Virus, and yellow fever. The most common type of mosquito species causing these diseases is the Aedes, but in the case of yellow fever, the Haemagogus species may also be the culprit. As long as you take all the necessary precautions to counter diseases, you can stay safe without any worries.

Is your building a breeding ground for mosquitoes during the rainy season? You may need professional pest control services from Topbest. Get in touch with us now and get a free consultation!

July 31, 2018

Do’s and Don’ts of Pest Control

What are the dos and don’ts of pest control?

Do’s

Properly identify your problem.
Keep your home clean and well-maintained.
Alert your neighbors of any infestation.

Don’ts

Mix up pest control products.
Leave traps and chemicals in children’s reach.
Try to do it all on your own.

When it comes to pest control, we either decide to do it our own or hire experts to get the job done for us. There are people that prefer the latter because it is the most effective solution to any pest problem. Experts have the right skills and knowledge to get rid of these pests permanently. The methods they use also do no harm to our environment and our family, which is an important yet often overlooked aspect of pest control.

Then again, not all of us has the means to hire experts – they do cost a significant amount of money. So we settle for store-bought pesticides and traps while those who care more for the environment opt to make their own products. Although our own methods and products are nothing but temporary solutions, we still go through with it. For many, it’s what we’ve grown accustomed to and so we continue with the practice.

Whichever route we decide to go with, it is important to note of the do’s and don’ts of pest control and follow them strictly for the safety of our health and the environment.

Do Properly Identify Your Problem

There are as many pest control methods and products as there are kinds of pests. In order to ensure a successful extermination, you first have to identify what you are dealing with. Rodents, cockroaches, and termites – these are the usual invaders, but they aren’t the only ones.

Even if you’re hiring pest control experts, it’s still best to have a rough idea of the problem so that they can conjure up a solution faster and easier.

Do Keep Your Home Clean and Well-Maintained

Nothing attracts pests and insects like uncleaned dishes, food crumbs on the floor, overly filled trash bins, standing rainwater, and untrimmed, poorly kept gardens and lawns. These are things you need to remove from your home if you don’t want to share it with a few dozen kinds of pests.

It is also a necessary step in pest control because it keeps these creatures from ever coming back. You can also treat it as a preventive measure from having to hire pest control services or perform pest control on your own.

Do Alert Your Neighbors of Any Infestation

Whenever an infestation happens in your home – whether it’s termites, rodents, bed bugs, or cockroaches – it is your duty as a homeowner to inform your neighbors of the problem.

Speed is key to pest control. Once pest problems and infestations start, they can easily spread like wildfire and affect the whole neighborhood! When it gets to that point, it will be hard to completely rid of the problem and you don’t want fingers to be pointed at you for not immediately alerting people.

Don’t Mix Up Pest Control Products

In every sense and meaning of the phrase, do not mix up pest control products. Don’t use products meant for outdoors inside your home. Don’t switch up contents and containers. Do not mix pesticides and insecticides in hopes of creating a more potent solution.

Doing any of these can easily lead to accidents that may severely affect you and your family’s health. The easiest way to avoid this is to carefully read the labels and instructions and do as the manufacturer says.

Don’t Leave Traps and Chemicals in Children’s Reach

Leaving pesticides, insecticides, and traps around is a huge hazard especially if you have children in the house. The little ones are filled with curiosity and they will grab, use, and taste everything they can.

No matter how carefully you watch them, you can’t really know for sure what will happen once you turn your back even for just a minute. So, the best way to avoid accidents like this is to simply keep these harmful products out of their reach. If you need to lay down rat traps, then make sure they’re in a place where a child won’t accidentally touch it or set it off.

Don’t Try to Do It All On Your Own

As said in the introduction, DIY pest control is nothing but a temporary and convenient solution to your pest problems. There is absolutely no way to permanently get rid of these creatures besides calling in the experts and having them pick the problem by its roots.

Moreover, products bought over the counter can cause harm to the people in the household when not used properly. There are also cases where they exacerbate the problem instead of solving it.

Key Takeaway

There are many pest control do’s and don’ts to keep in mind to avoid doing harm to your family and the environment and also to ensure that the problem gets solved permanently. If you stick by the things written above, you can guarantee that pests will never bother you again and live a happy life knowing that you will never have to call in the experts or do your own pest control!

April 24, 2018April 24, 2018

Have a Buzz-Free Summer with these Pest Prevention Tips!

The summer season is the time for outdoor activities, which is probably the reason why you have been waiting for it to come all year round.

Unfortunately, your summer play can be interrupted by pests who want to join in on the fun by lurking around you like an ardent lover or a persistent stalker.

The latter description is fitting since they can be really annoying.

To get rid of them, you’re in need of some pest control since it is important to have precautionary measures when dealing with these creepy crawlies. Thankfully, there are many methods of repelling them without taking too much time off your summer vacation.

In fact, you can be an operator of pest control with these pest prevention tips below:

March 26, 2018

Importance of Garden Weed Removal to Your Pest Control

Why is garden weed removal a necessary method of pest control?

1. Garden weeds can be a source of food for pests
2. Garden weed are sources of diseases
3. Garden weeds draw in pollinators

As much as possible, garden-loving homeowners want their beloved plants to be in pristine condition; meaning, they want their gardens to look great and have healthy plants.

With extra tender loving care, flowery plants are sure to bloom beautifully while crops will definitely grow bearing the essential nutrients they can provide.
Sadly, despite the extensive efforts that garden owners allot for their gardens, there are factors that could still negatively affect the plants, such as the passing weather and the bothersome pests.

Pests are almost everywhere, which is why garden owners invest in pest control, especially on mosquito control.

It’s a good thing that there are numerous methods to dispel them from the premises. But first things first, you need to determine the cause of your garden pest control problem.

Among the possible factors that could attract pests are garden weeds that are common in most gardens.

Weed removal is mostly done by garden owners for cosmetic purposes, however, they do not know that this also helps get rid of the bugs in your plants and produce.

If you want to know how exactly the removal of garden weeds is considered as a method of pest control then read on because this article contains all information regarding the relationship of garden weeds and pests.

What is a Garden Weed?

Before anything else, the nature of garden weeds and its negative implications for plants should first be established.

Basically, garden weeds are plants that grew in unwanted areas.
For most garden owners, especially those with flowering plants, the unexpected growth of weeds can prove to be an eyesore.

On the other hand, the growth of garden weeds is considered to be very alarming because they are highly competitive. These growing invaders fight with the plants for their sources of water, nutrients, light, and space.

Unfortunately, garden weeds are quick to grow which means that a significant amount of space can be covered by these weeds even in just a short amount of time.

Garden Weeds can be Food Sources for Insects

A number of pests prey on plants. In fact, they are pretty much drawn to them. As a result, the nearby crops also have a high chance of being devoured by these herbivore predators.

For example, if the amount of weeds in a garden is significantly limited and the pests have already consumed most of them, it is very likely that they will move on to your produce.

Such occurrence is even more alarming once the insects have already established the garden as their habitat since even the other crops and flowering plants are exposed to pest infestation.

For weed removal, it is not enough to get rid of the weeds that are growing in the garden. Even those weeds present in areas like fence rows and irrigation ditches should be removed because these areas that can be possible causes of insect infestation.

Garden Weeds are Sources of Diseases

Several weeds naturally harbor diseases that could possibly affect the overall health of the surrounding plants.

Since insects can also use crops as food sources, diseases can be transferred if an insect first eats an infected weed and then eventually devour a crop.

The infection can be transferred the same way a mosquito transports illness from one person to another. Such is the reason why the same level of concern must be given to weed removal to that of mosquito control.

Pollinators are More Drawn to the Weeds than the Other Plants

Even some insects have their positive effects, one example is their capability to be natural pollinators.

Sadly, this natural occurrence can be distorted by the presence of an excessive population of weeds. As the majority of pollinators become more drawn to the weeds rather than to the plants, especially the flowery kinds; because of this natural pollination is less likely to occur.

A degenerative rate of pollination can affect the balance of the ecosystem since some plants are the primary source of food and nutrition for herbivore and omnivore animals.

How to Control Weeds

As a bonus topic for this article, here are some ways on how you can control the growth of weeds in your garden.

Add Mulch

The simple task of scattering chopped leaves as mulch can help solve a garden weed problem. The mulch will act as an outer covering and obstruction to light which will then prevent any further development of the garden weeds.

Mechanical Removal

This method may be time-consuming and laborious because it involves pulling, mowing, hoeing, and digging. However, this system of weed removal is highly effective. This is because it promotes further development of garden weed is slowed down.

Key Takeaway

The presence and growth of garden weeds can highly affect the overall condition of a garden.

Such is the reason why their growth must immediately be regulated to prevent further development that could cause severe damage to the plants.

With the various ways to remove garden weeds, garden owners should move fast to ensure the welfare of their beloved plants.

March 2, 2018March 10, 2023

Pest Control: 5 Ways to Protect Your Pets from Pests

What are the ways to protect your pets from pests?

Consult your veterinarian.
Examine your pets.
Wash your pets regularly.
Keep your surroundings clean.
Get rid of unnecessary reservoir of water.

Pest control and mosquito control services aren’t just for humans. These pests don’t merely ravage your home and plague your everyday life—they’re also a menace to your beloved pets. And the worst thing is, sometimes, you won’t know that your pets are being perturbed by these nasty insects until it’s already too late—such as when your dogs or cats are already mottled with bites and howling unceasingly.

This is why, if you’re a pet owner, it’s vital that you familiarize yourself with pest control practices that can safeguard your pets.

If this is your concern, then you’ve come at the right place.

Here are 5 ways to protect your pets from malicious pests!

Consult your veterinarian.

Prevention is always the way to go. To keep your pets safe from harmful pests, make sure to consult your veterinarian about pest control practices that are suitable for your pet.

This includes medication, recommended shampoo, flea collar, and so on.

Examine your pets.

Awareness is the key. Examining your pets rings especially true after they meandered outside. Pay extra attention to concealed areas near the ears and under the thick fur.

More than that, it’s also important to be cognizant about skin irritations on your pets. Some manifestations are bite marks and red, itchy skin. Another indication is when your pet scratches itself a lot.

Wash your pets regularly.

This should be obvious, and should be one of the first things that you take into consideration. Similar to humans, your pet will be less susceptible to acquiring diseases or attracting pests if they are constantly kept clean.

Bathe your pets with shampoo that are designed to keep pests at bay.

More than these, always keep your pet groomed. If your pet has long hair, you can opt to have it trimmed every now and then (especially during summer, when fleas and ticks thrive the most).

Keep your surroundings clean.

Fleas are arguably the leading pest that attack unwitting pets. Dogs and cats may acquire fleas after staying outside for a certain period of time, or from coming in contact with other animals. And if your pet transfers the fleas inside your home, then you’re in for a disaster.

Fleas, after all, can immediately multiply and invade bedding, carpet, clothing, and so on., thus you might need to call services such as the Number One Carpet Cleaning in Fulham.

Thus, keeping your surroundings clean includes both the interior and the exterior of your home, especially if you let your pets wander indoors.

For outdoors, frequently trim your yard, since, as you might have guessed, fleas are drawn to filthy areas.

For indoors, you’ll have to religiously vacuum your furniture and carpets. Also, sweep your home as often as you can, especially areas that are confined and hard to reach, such as under the furniture, the narrow spaces between appliances, and so on.

Additionally, always wash any fabrics that your pets come in contact with, such as bedding, clothing, and plush toys. You don’t want your home to be the breeding nest of fleas and other pests!

Get rid of unnecessary reservoir of water.

One of the most well-known advice when it comes to mosquito control is to eliminate standing water in the lingering vicinity of your home, as this is a surefire way to attract mosquitoes in your home.

Small as they might be, mosquitoes are the most dangerous insects of all, especially because of their capacity to quickly spread fatal illnesses. They’re responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, and they also affect millions of people all over the globe. And, of course, they’re also a menace to your pets. It doesn’t help that mosquitoes reproduce at a staggering rate. The best that you can do is to purge them as early as possible, and before they replicate.

As mentioned earlier, you can discuss with your vet regarding the repellent or the bug spray that are suitable for your pets. Also, it’s best that you don’t let your pets prowl during dawn and dusk hours, since these are the times when mosquitoes are most active.

Key Takeaway

As it turns out, pest control and mosquito control practices aren’t just aimed to humans. They’re also perfect for your cherished pets.

In order to protect them against the relentless attacks of these insects, it’s vital that you acquaint yourself with important pest control methods.