Eco-friendly mosquito control

By Melinda Myers

Don't let mosquitoes keep you from enjoying your garden and outdoor parties. Look for environmentally sound ways to manage these pests in your garden and landscape.

Start by eliminating standing water in the yard. Buckets, old tires, and clogged gutters and downspouts that hold water make the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Drain water collects in these as well as in kids' toys, tarps and pool covers. Store these items in the garage or turn them over to keep them from becoming a mosquito breeding ground. Even small containers hold enough water for hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes to breed.

Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week. Consider installing a small pump to keep water moving to prevent mosquito breeding. Or use an organic mosquito control such as Mosquito Dunks and Bits in rain barrels and water features. The Mosquito Bits quickly knock down the mosquito larval population, while the Mosquito Dunks provide 30 days of control. They are both certified organic and safe for pets, fish, wildlife and children.

Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. These pests are less attracted to the lighter colors and can't readily reach your skin through loose clothing. And be sure to cover as much of your skin as possible with long sleeves and pants.

Add a few birdhouses to the landscape to bring in the birds. You'll enjoy their beauty and benefit from their diet of insects, including many garden pests and mosquitoes.

Keep the garden weeded. Mosquitoes rest in shrubs, trees and weeds during the day. Removing weeds and managing neglected garden spaces will make your landscape less inviting to these pests.

Consider using a personal repellent to protect you against disease-carrying mosquitoes. For those looking to avoid DEET, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has also approved products with the active ingredient picaridin (found in Skin so Soft products), IR3535, and the synthetic oil of lemon and eucalyptus. Avoid products that contain both sunscreen and insect repellents as you need to apply the sunscreen more often than the repellent.

Add a bit more protection while sitting or eating outdoors. Use a fan to create a gentle breeze that keeps the weak flying mosquitoes away from you and your guests. Some gardeners even take a small fan into the garden while weeding.

Then add a bit of ambience to your next party by lighting a few citronella candles for your evening events. Citronella oil and the scented candles do have some mosquito repelling properties. Scatter lots of candles throughout your entertainment space. Position the candles within a few feet of your guests. This can provide some short term relief from these pests for you and your guests.

Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written more than 20 gardening books, including Can't Miss Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener's Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone" DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers' web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.

Don't let unwelcome pests take refuge in your home

Better Business Bureau

Living in a hot and humid state like Texas means you have probably encountered a few spiders, a trail of ants or an occasional cockroach in your home. Unfortunately, the occasional "home invader" could become more frequent thanks to weeks of constant rainfall and flooding.

In the summertime, ants tend to be the biggest problem. The hotter weather causes them to enter homes and businesses in search of water and food. They generally get in through tiny gaps in bricks, around windows and through other holes and cracks. Also, don't be surprised if you see more spiders and cockroaches than usual - these insects come out of the woodwork after rain. If your home is in or near a wooded area, fleas and ticks could be a problem.

If your home is seeing more pests than usual, it may be time to call a pest control service business. In 2014, BBB received more than 4,000 complaints against pest control services nationwide. Many complaints alleged they paid for services that were not provided, extermination attempts were ineffective and companies hid high cancellation fees.

To prevent pests, your Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin recommends:

• Store food in sealed plastic or glass containers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consumers should try to remove sources of food, water and shelter that attract pests. Garbage containing food scraps should be sealed tightly and remove garbage regularly.
• Fix leaky plumbing. Don't let water accumulate in trays under your house, plants or refrigerator. Also, don't leave pet food and water out overnight, as it could attract rodents and ants.
• Get rid of clutter. While this is sometimes hard to avoid, especially in your garage, clutter provides places where pests can enter, hide or even make a home. Cover any holes with wire mesh and caulk cracks and crevices around cabinets or baseboards to keep pests out.
• Learn about the pests around you. Research the kind of pests that could enter your home and the options to control them. If it is a persistent problem, your best option might be to hire an exterminator.

When looking for a pest control service business or contractor, BBB advises consumers to:

• Compare prices. Solicit bids from at least three different pest control companies before making a decision. BBB provides a free Request a Quote service to make it easier to gather estimates from local BBB Accredited Businesses. You can also go to checkbbb.org for a full list of BBB Accredited pest control services in the area.
• Get references. Ask family and friends for recommendations from pest control companies they have used. Beware of companies that offer to give your house a free inspection for pests or pressure you for immediate or costly treatments.
• Ask about safety. Because pesticides and pest control products can be dangerous to touch or inhale, be sure to ask the company about the safety of the chemicals they use. Let the company know if you have children, pets or sensitive plants as that may impact the products they select for your home.
• Check for licensing and insurance. Always hire a qualified pest control company and verify they meet state licensing requirements with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Also, find out if the pest control company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.
• Carefully review your contract. Be sure you fully understand the nature of the pests to be exterminated, the extent of the infestation and the work necessary to solve the problem.
• Get it in writing. Make sure the contract and all guarantees are clearly stated in writing with details about the service agreement. Be sure you understand what the company will do if pests continue or come back after treatment.