Tag Archives: tick control

It’s important to understand the life cycle of a tick and where they lay their eggs so you can help prevent a tick infestation in your yard. Did you know that a female tick can lay up to several thousand eggs at a time? Not only are ticks a nuisance, but they also cause numerous diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The tick goes through four separate stages if its life cycle: eggs, larva, nymph and adult. Each of these stages can easily be recognized by its special appearance.

The Life Cycle of a Tick

Stage 1: Eggs
After feeding through some of the winter months and spring, adult females will lay their eggs in protected areas of grass. They can lay over a thousand eggs in their lifetime, and the eggs will normally hatch by summer.

Stage 2: Larvae
Once hatched, the larvae begin searching for a host to feed on. They wait on the tops of leaves and tall grass where pet and human activity are normally high.

Stage 3: Nymph
Once the larvae have eaten, they will drop off the host and transform into an eight-legged nymph. The process will then repeat itself where they look for a host. The nymph may also transmit disease.

Stage 4: Adult
Adult ticks will then go for a third quest, looking for a larger host. Successful adult ticks reproduce during the fall, and the female tick will survive through winter to lay more eggs in the spring. This entire process can take up to three years.

What Does a Tick Nest Look Like?

Unlike other social insects such as ants and bees, ticks do not form a communal colony like a hive or nest. Ticks are more likely to crawl into the burrow or hole of a potential host and lay their eggs there, creating a small, lone “nest.” This provides immediate access to a potential host to which the larvae can latch to and feed upon. Ticks may also opt to lay eggs in leaf litter or grassy areas and, in general, any location that is soft and warm.

What Do Tick Eggs Look Like?

Since a female tick is capable of laying thousands of eggs at once, these eggs are often easier to spot than the ticks themselves. They appear brownish-red in color and are translucent. A brood of eggs may look like miniature caviar. The eggs are not yet infectious and can be dealt with by simply coating with salt to dry out the eggs.

How to Prevent Tick Eggs and Tick Bites In Your Yard

• Know where ticks hide. Ticks live in tall grass and wooded areas. Hunting, gardening or spending time in your backyard are all activities where you, your family and your pets could pick up ticks.
• Dress to avoid ticks. Wearing long sleeves and long pants, tucking socks into boots and wearing light-colored clothing can help prevent tick bites.
• Utilize Mosquito Joe barrier treatments as an added layer of defense. Regular barrier treatments from Mosquito Joe eliminate ticks and give you and your family peace of mind.

Don’t Be Ticked Off This Season

To add an extra layer of defense against your outdoor space, contact your local Mosquito Joe today to enjoy a bite-free yard! We have special services that add against ticks and other pests, so let us help you protect yourself and your family throughout the year.

Whether you are spending time in the great outdoors or simply playing fetch with your furry friend in the backyard, we know that nothing ruins outdoor fun like unwelcomed pests; especially ticks in your lawn. Protecting your family from ticks is important because not only are they are a nuisance, they can also pose serious health risks, such as Lyme disease.

If you are looking for a more natural way to incorporate tick prevention in your outdoor spaces, essential oils are a great alternative. Naturally derived, essential oils can be applied to clothing or directly on the skin to help keep irritating ticks at bay. If you aren’t sure which ones to use or how to best apply them, the list below will help guide you on how to use essential oil for ticks.

What Are the Best Essential Oils to Repel Ticks?         

While essential oils are often not as potent as their chemical-based alternatives, they can be effective in providing a second layer of tick control. Here are few essential oils that have tick-repelling properties:

Eucalyptus

• A pleasant-smelling oil, eucalyptus can be used to repel ticks and pests. Be sure to dilute with a carrier oil or purchase a spray solution that has already been thinned with water. Due to the potency, use sparingly with pets or select a different repellent if you’re using it around furry friends.

Cedarwood

• Toxic to ticks and their larvae, cedarwood is a prime choice for a tick repellent. Combined with the fact that it is safe to apply to people and pets alike, this is one of the best options for essential oil repellent.

Garlic

• Useful beyond seasoning a savory dish, garlic can be easily transformed into a tick deterrent. Mince garlic, mix with mineral oil, allow to soak overnight, and then put in a spray bottle. This simple mixture can be sprayed directly on skin, pets, or even on plants to keep ticks away.

Geranium

• This oil can be a potent and effective tick repellent and is OK to apply to the skin or on your dog’s collar to deter ticks.

Lavender

• Versatile and virulent to insects, lavender can be a fantastic addition to the arsenal. This essential oil is safe for topical use on all ages, including infants, and is lethal to ticks and their eggs.

Pennyroyal

• A powerful member of the mint family, this can serve as a great tick deterrent. Pennyroyal is best applied under cushions, rugs, and fabrics in the home as a preventative measure should pets bring ticks into the home. It should not be used on the skin or on pets.

Did you know that Mosquito Joe also provides natural treatment options for your yard? Our natural treatments are an alternative to our traditional synthetic barrier treatment. There are several spray options,  garlic repellent treatment, and two variations of essential oil solutions which include peppermint,  rosemary, and lemongrass essential oils. Similar to our traditional treatment, trained technicians use a backpack sprayer in order to apply the natural formulas to the foliage on your property. , Your property will be treated on a 14-21 day cycle, depending on which natural solution you choose, to provide effective outdoor pest control. You can learn more about our natural treatment options here.

If your yard is still being overrun with ticks, it may be time to contact a professional tick exterminator.  Call Mosquito Joe today at 1-855-275-2563 to explore tick control options near your location or contact us online and kick the ticks for good this season!

At Mosquito Joe, we pride ourselves on being able to make outside fun again. For us, that means ridding properties of outdoor pests so families and furry friends aren’t itching and scratching. Our barrier treatments allow families and friends to gather in their backyard to enjoy a cookout without being the main course. They also give parents peace of mind knowing their children can play without getting bitten by mosquitoes, ticks or fleas. Whether our customers are mosquito magnets or under attack by ticks, Mosquito Joe technicians provide customized treatments in order to transform their backyards into a bite-free oasis.

Don’t believe us? Let these customers speak for themselves! 

Playtime is Back

• “I absolutely love Mosquito Joe! We have used them for the past five years, we haven’t had one bite that’s pretty amazing. My kids play outside all day long, I don’t have to worry. I would recommend them to anyone that loves a bite-free lawn. Thanks guys!”
• “My daughter loves playing outside and around our Koi pond, but she would get eaten up by mosquitoes after being out there for 2 minutes. Thanks to Mosquito Joe, we can go out and play and relax, even around our pond, without getting attacked by mosquitoes! Thank you Mosquito Joe!”
• “I am VERY pleased with the services! We played basketball for over an hour without one single bite! Before MoJo, we would have not lasted 10 minutes without at least a dozen bites. We have been outside daily now and cannot extend my gratitude enough. My kids are extremely excited to see him pull up for treatment! Tell the technicians not to be surprised if my children ask “Joe” for his autograph.”

Bye-bye Mosquito Bites

• “I’m very pleased with this service. I have never been bitten by a mosquito in my yard the entire time I have used Mosquito Joe! That is amazing for this mosquito magnet.”
• “I have always been a target for mosquitoes. I like to be outside and work in the yard. I had to use insect repellent every time I went out. After I called Mosquito Joe, it has been such a relief. I get to sit and enjoy all my hard work. You won’t regret giving them a call.”
• “It was great to be able to enjoy our deck this past summer. Anytime I get a mosquito bite, my bite swells up to a quarter size and itches for days. Thanks!”
• “I love that I can be outside, on my property, without worries from biting insects. I have autoimmune problems and bites turn into infections that potentially send me to the hospital. But now, I am able to sit outside and read or work on the flowers and shrubbery with no worries. It is great to be able to do these things again. I am so appreciative.”
• “This service really works! I’ve been a mosquito magnet for years. I’ve been working in the garden and not one bite since they started spraying. It is so nice to be able to eat outside again. Best money spent. Thank you!”

Pet Parents Love MoJo! 

• “I will always use these services. The staff was always friendly and flexible. They always accommodated my schedule and were mindful that I had a pet. Also, we could really tell a difference in the reduction of mosquitoes. It made our summer so much better!”
• “We loved being able to enjoy our pool area without bites. I especially loved the extra care that was taken in covering up my dog’s bowls when I forgot to. That shows the care and attention given to clients and we really appreciate it! We will see you again in spring!”
• “Service is great and your product does everything as promised! Techs are so trustworthy and responsible, my dog loves when you visit!”

Outside is Fun Again for these Outdoor Enthusiasts

• “This is money well spent! We live in the woods and with Mosquito Joe taking care of my property, we had no mosquitoes this season and could enjoy the yard and pool all season long. The staff is extremely friendly and professional and always go the extra mile to ensure I was happy and my yard was taken care of. Could not be happier!”
• “When we moved into our house right by the Bay we could not be outside in the evening. Once our yard started being treated by Mosquito Joe we have enjoyed the outside, not to mention beautiful views of the bay at sunset!”
• “I cannot say enough about Mosquito Joe and how they make my yard habitable! I can garden, enjoy campfires, landscaping and lounging in the great outdoors only because of Mosquito Joe. Also, the technicians are so polite, respectful and personable. They always have a smile. Thanks, Mosquito Joe!”

To Grandma’s MoJo Protected House We Go! 

• “Love having my yard sprayed. For the last 3 years we have had our yard sprayed. Before spraying I could only spend 10-15 minutes outside before getting bit by mosquitoes. Now we spend hours in our yard with the grandkids or just sitting on our back porch enjoying the evening.”
• “So nice to be able to enjoy being outside with my grandson and not get bitten by mosquitoes. Thank you Mosquito Joe!”
• “The Mosquito Joe crew bent over backwards to make sure my yard was ready for our 10 grandkids to spend the week with us. The owner himself came out to make sure everything was right. I call that SERVICE!”

Planning the Perfect Event? Mosquito Joe Makes it Itch-free!

• “I used Mosquito Joe for our backyard wedding….it worked perfectly! We are surrounded by woods and our backyard area is usually infested with mosquitoes at night. We had mosquito spray out for people, just in case, but nobody needed it! I would definitely use again!”
• “Great service. I use their service at my house. I also had them spray for a special event at another venue. People were amazed that we had zero mosquitoes as compared to previous years.”
• “We contacted Mosquito Joe just 2 days before a big family event because the mosquitoes were fierce. They came the very next morning and saved the evening for us. I appreciate the extra effort provided by this small, local operation, the friendliness, and effectiveness. Highly recommended.”

If you want to be itch-free like these satisfied customers, it’s time to add some MoJo to your backyard! For more information or to request a free quote, give us a call today at 855-ASK-A-JOE. With no contracts and the MoJo Satisfaction Guarantee, our work isn’t done until you’re happy. Visit us online to find your local outdoor pest control expert. With Mosquito Joe, outside is fun again!