Here in eastern Tennessee, the mosquitoes are already out, and man are they hungry! I seem to be in the most fortunate category of people who are extremely delicious to mosquitoes. I’m sure you are jealous! Last summer, every day I would get bitten by at least one mosquito in the time it took me to go from my back door to the car (9 seconds…I’ve timed it).
Darah and Layah both really love to play outside, and I want them to get to enjoy the beautiful weather and get to play in the yard, with their splash table, and with the kiddie pool. And I want this all to happen without them being bit by mosquitoes like crazy. Also, I’d like to avoid that fate, myself!
I recently connected with Arrow Exterminators, a pest control company with offices in 9 different states (Alabama, Arizona, Flordia, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas). They came out and provided a mosquito treatment to our property, and they also taught me quite a bit about their services and what strategic steps I can take to help reduce the mosquito population around my house. I highly recommend this company, but even if you don’t live in their service area, you can still learn some great tips from them, so keep reading!
I have never had my yard sprayed for mosquitoes out of concern that very toxic chemicals would be used. I was really relieved to hear that Arrow uses products that are registered with the EPA and that is designed to bond to foliage, and not to people! Once the area that has been sprayed is dry, it is completely safe to walk around on (even barefoot!). In my experience, it takes about 4 hours for the product to dry. I also thought the fact that the person spraying our lawn wasn’t wearing special clothing or a special mask was very telling. If he trusts the chemicals enough not to be “suited up” and he sprays them all day, every day, then there’s little to worry about!
I was also concerned about the cost of the treatment. For a yard my size (which is admittedly small) and for the Chattanooga area, the montly cost of a mosquito treatment would be $55. Honestly, that’s not a price I would have paid before having kids, as I personally don’t like to spend a lot of time outside, but it is something I’m strongly considering now. Because my kids like to do this. A lot.
The exact cost for your property to be serviced is likely not going to be the same as mine, but Arrow can provide you with a free estimate.
I asked Arrow for some tips on helping me make the very most of my monthly treatment, as well as some good general tips for keeping the mosquitoes at bay. Here’s what I learned.
Tip #1. Eliminate as much standing water on your property as possible. For example, if you have empty pots on your deck that just collect rain water, turn them upside-down. If you have larger water containers like a kiddie pool or a splash table, it isn’t necessary to empty them daily, but they should be emptied once a week. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, which is why it needs to go! If you have something like a pond in your backyard, Arrow has specific chemicals it can use that targe mosquito larvae and that won’t harm the pond plant life.
Tip #2. Do you have any areas of your back yard that are overgrown? Mosquitoes rest on foliage, and LOVE to congregate on bushes, trees, or better yet, clusters of such things. We actually got rid of a lot of overgrowth this past winter, and I think that is going to help us significantly. If you ever needed a good reason to do some cleaning up in your yard, now you have it!
Tip #3. Mow your grass BEFORE you have it treated for mosquitoes. The product adheres to the blades, so if you cut your grass right after your treatment, your results will not be as optimal. Unfortunately, we were due for a grass cutting when our exterminator came over, but we let the grass continue to grow for about 5 more days so that we could get as much as possible out of that treatment. It has been 2 weeks now, and even though we have cut the grass, I am still not noticing nearly as many mosquitoes in our yard, so I’d say our treatment was successful!
If you live in an Arrow Exterminators service area, please do get in touch with them to get an estimate on servicing your yard. Your body will thank you for the lack of mosquito bites it will have to endure this summer!
I received a complimentary treatment for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
FYI, the link on the ‘trackback’ has a person performing a mosquito equipment with most of the personal protective equipment. He’s missing the respirator, but has the sleeves, goggles, hearing protection, and gloves. Hope that help.
I’m a professional pest control operator. Sorry to be a Debbie downer on the situation. We do mosquito services as well. This is not to promote our company or down another company, only to shed some light on the situation. All the products that pest control companies use are registered by the EPA. The only exception would be what are called exempt products (those mainly containing oils such as mint). Our mosquito services (performed with the same piece of equipment shown in the picture) involve a respirator, long sleeves/slip on sleeves, goggles, rubber gloves, and hearing protection. Many of those are mandated on the label as personal protective equipment. I agree that after the product has been applied and is dry it is perfectly fine to carry out your normal activities. Hope that helps.
Thank you so much!
The office in Kannapolis, NC would be the closest to me
I would go to 5325 Kelly Rd
Tampa, FL 33615
Nader’s Pest Raiders – Ponte Vedra
A wholly owned subsidiary of Arrow Exterminators
10066 Sawgrass Dr. West
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Telephone: 904-285-0091
I would be using the Stark Exterminators in Birmingham, AL.
I would use
Arrow Exterminators – Maryville
1744 Big Springs Road
Maryville, TN 37801
Telephone: 865-984-7550
Arrow Exterminators – Dickson
802 W. College
Dickson, TN 37055
Telephone: 615-446-5181
Hi Neighbor ! I’m from Nashville but we’ve been living in the Chattanooga area for several years now because of my husband’s job. I would be using
SERVICE FOR ZIP CODE 30741
Arrow Exterminators – Dalton
3333 South Dixie Highway?
Dalton, GA 30720
Telephone: 706-226-5455
Thanks for the Giveaway !
the office in Tucker, GA
this is a great giveaway–wish they were in our area
Arrow Exterminators – Dalton
3333 South Dixie Highway?
Dalton, GA 30720
Telephone: 706-226-5455
My center would be:
Nader’s Pest Raiders – Ponte Vedra
A wholly owned subsidiary of Arrow Exterminators
10066 Sawgrass Dr. West
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Telephone: 904-285-0091
I need it in my yard!
I would use Hughes Exterminators – Bradenton
A wholly owned subsidiary of Arrow Exterminators
2428 Manatee Ave. East
Bradenton, FL 34208
I would use Hughes Exterminators – Bradenton
A wholly owned subsidiary of Arrow Exterminators
2428 Manatee Ave. East
Bradenton, FL 34208
I would use the Villa Rica, GA office.
I would use the Chattanooga office on Amnicola. This would be perfect! I have a younger child and would love to sit outside this summer enjoying the beautiful weather.
What a treat to see a fellow Chattanoogan! 🙂 Good luck!
I would be using the
Arrow Exterminators – Cumming
221 Kelly Mill Road
Cumming, GA 30040
this would be great for my yard!!! they live here abundantly and we are always getting bitten.
I would use the Texas one ofr a family friend.
I’d like to win for my sister and she would use Hughes Exterminators – Bradenton
A wholly owned subsidiary of Arrow Exterminators
2428 Manatee Ave. East
Bradenton, FL 34208