Mosquitos Should Watch Out This Week

The week may be half over, but it's not too late to celebrate National Mosquito Control Awareness Week by smashing some of those blood suckers. 

Here are five tips from the American Mosquito Control Association to quell the mosquito problem in your backyard for the July 4 holiday.

1. TIP. Reduce standing water to eliminate mosquito threats, including those in children's sandboxes, wagons or plastic toys; underneath and around downspouts, in plant saucers and dog bowls. Other hot spots include tarps, gutters, and flat roofs.

2. TOSS. Remove excess grass, leaves, firewood and clippings from yards.

3. TURN. Turn over larger yard items that could hold water like children?s portable sandboxes or plastic toys.

4. REMOVE TARPS. If tarps stretched over firewood piles, boats or sports equipment aren't taut, they're holding water.

5. TREAT. Utilize a mosquito elimination barrier treatment around the home and yard. Using a barrier treatment at home reduces the need for using DEET-containing bug spray on the body. Mosquito Squad?s eliminates up to 90% of the mosquitoes and ticks on a property.

While generally a nuisance, mosquitoes and ticks can carry dangerous diseases such as West Nile and Lyme disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly 300,000 Americans have been sickened with West Nile Virus since it arrived in the U.S. 11 years ago.

For additional tips and information, visit www.mosquitosquad.com.