Mosquitoes, Bees, Wasps, and Clovermites -Oh My!

Round 3 of our interview with Pest Control pro Ken Holmes. (parts 1 and 2 can be found here and here.) Today we’re going to be talking about some common summertime pests, including mosquitoes, bees, and wasps. For more helpful tips throughout the summer on how to keep your yard and your home sting and bite free, keep an eye on the Absolute Pest Control Facebook page in addition to the content posted here.

Are there any products that I can put on my lawn to help protect against mosquitoes? Mosquitoes emerge as adults from standing water. They are attracted too, or arising from lawns -usually in an over-watering situation. Reduce the frequency and amount of water to your yard and keep the grass and non-manicured adjacent areas mowed shorter to minimize their harborage areas. Be certain to eliminate any standing water, and encourage your neighbors to do the same wherever possible.
We have a terrible mosquito problem, but we also have pets. Is there anything that we can apply to our lawn to get rid of the mosquitos without harming our dogs? Adult mosquitoes emerge from a larvae stage. This stage is developed in standing water. Old tires, trash, lawn supplies, and other debris can hold sufficient amounts of water to sustain a reproducing mosquito population. Elimination of these breeding sites is critical to the reduction of adult mosquitoes. Over-watering of lawns can also create a very attractive mosquito habitat. As mentioned above, grass should be mowed as short as possible, and weeds and other vegetation need to be cut or removed. Ponds, even those containing wild fish, can be treated with ‘dunks’that can effectively reduce the pre-emergent stages of breeding. Habitat modification, along with the application of dunks (available at many hardware outlets) will be effective to a degree. Success depends on property size and controllable habitat.
I have a big problem with bees and wasps around my house. They come back each year and build nests in different locations throughout our property. One year in the attic, one under the porch, another year they even took up residence in our basement. What is the best way to discourage them from coming back?

Image via Wikipedia

Homeowners with bees, wasps, and yellowjackets appearing around their homes should spend some time observing their activity. Should any of these stinging insects enter the home through any deficiency in the structure, they are probably trying to establish nesting areas within your home. Yellowjacket traps can be placed hanging from tree limbs or plant stands. However, it should be noted that these devices do not work for wasps or honey bees. Since these pests all fly, the best long term consideration may be to reduce the reproducing population. These insects also seem to be most attracted to pastel colored homes, whereas white homes do not typically have many issues with bees and wasps. (Please note that if you find a large nest, it is safest to call in a professional team to help out -we’ve got special equipment that makes tackling large bee and wasp infestations much easier and less dangerous!)
I was told I have clover mites around my dining room windows. They are tiny little red bugs, about the size of a pin head. Any suggestions? Clover mites inside a home can be considered anything from a minor nuisance to a nightmare. Eliminate all obvious clover mites by vacuuming. Next, mix a teaspoon of liquid dish soap and a quart of water in a spray bottle. You will need to open all of the windows on all floors of your home, although the north facing side of a home is rarely bothered by these annoying critters. Spray the soapy water around the track of each window and close as you go. Do this for all windows and exterior doors in your home. Use liquid dish soap in a hose end sprayer and treat the foundation on the East, South, and West sides of your house as well. Any grasses and vegetation within six to ten feet of your foundation should also be treated. This process may have to be repeated on a weekly basis, depending on how persistent your clover mites are. These bugs hate water and the soap makes your water softer, therefore more easily penetrating and uncomfortable to the clover mites.