‘Beat the Bloodsuckers’ with Mosquito Joe and the Dallas Red Cross

(June 24, 2016) In honor of Mosquito Control Awareness Week, June 26-July 2, Mosquito Joe of Garland-Rockwall is teaming up with the Dallas Red Cross to “Beat the Bloodsuckers.” Mosquitoes collect blood from us and our friends every day, without asking, but we’d rather be donating blood to a better cause. The Red Cross has to collect 15,000 blood donations every day to have enough blood to help patients in 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. That’s a lot of patients in need, and all of us, coming together, can help ensure patients receive life saving blood.

As part of our campaign, the employees of Mosquito Joe of Garland-Rockwall have pledged to donate blood during MCAW. We’ll also be donating 10% of all new customer sales through that week to the Red Cross of Dallas. You can help us by spreading the word! If you know someone who needs mosquito control, this a a great week to sign up and help the Red Cross. You can also help by donating blood and “Beating those Bloodsuckers!”

Our mission at Mosquito Joe is to eliminate mosquitoes from back yards, patios, special events, and public places. Part of that mission is to take every opportunity to provide education about mosquitoes.

What’s the Buzz?

• Mosquitoes date back over 100 million years.

• There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes!

• The journey from egg to adulthood (biting!) is about 4-7 days. They just can’t wait to start bugging us!

• Only female mosquitoes bite; they need the protein from blood to lay their eggs.

• Speaking of eggs, a mosquito lays 100-300 eggs at a time, and they average between 1,000 to 3,000 in their lifetime!

• The mosquito is actually the deadliest animal on earth, killing 725,000 humans each year. They top sharks, snakes and even other humans!

Why is Mosquito Control Important?

• Mosquitoes carry diseases like Zika virus, West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. As of June 21, 2016, there are 46 cases of Zika being tracked in Texas.

• Most people have the typical reaction to a mosquito bite and get the telltale itchy red bump, but some people who are allergic have what is known as “Skeeter Syndrome,” which can cause blistering rashes, bruises, and swelling.

• We all know how annoying mosquitoes can be when you’re trying to enjoy your backyard and you have to keep swatting them away!

What You Can Do?

• Regularly empty ponds, bird baths, fountains, plant pots, buckets, barrels, tarps, kids toys, pet water dishes or anywhere else that water may gather.

• Clean out gutters to avoid standing water – examine them for clots and damage that would cause water to collect.

• Drill holes in tire swings, trashcans or recycle bins so water drains out.

• Use soil to fill in low areas in lawns and landscaped areas where rainwater may collect and stand for more than seven days.

• Keep swimming pools clean, properly circulated and filtered. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.

• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.

• Cut grass and shrubs short, as adult mosquitoes gather to rest in shady, cool areas. Keep your yard weed-free and avoid overgrown vegetation.

Why Mosquito Joe?

• A professional service like ours is the best way to combat mosquitoes. We provide an ongoing defense and our technicians can point out problem areas and potential breeding areas on your property during treatment.

• Treatment is tailored to your property and conducted by certified technicians.

• Backpack sprayers help to precisely target shrubs and plants where mosquitoes rest.

• 100% satisfaction guarantee and no contracts are required.

Submitted by Jack McReynolds, Mosquito Joe Garland-Rockwall, a Blue Ribbon News advertiser.