Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquito Shield

Does Mosquito Shield® really work?

Absolutely. Mosquito Shield works so well that you will notice a difference even after your first treatment. In fact, we’re so confident you’ll love Mosquito Shield® that your Guaranteed Protection Plan comes with a full Money Back Guarantee. If you decide you no longer want the service, contact us within seven days of your first visit, and we will issue a full refund.

Read on to learn more about frequently asked questions regarding how Mosquito Shield works.
Does the size of my property matter?

No. When it comes to mosquito control and tick control, we focus on common use areas such as pools, decks, patios, and swing sets. The spray creates a vertical barrier, keeping the fun in and the bugs out. We also pay special attention to where mosquitoes and ticks breed and congregate.

In some instances, customers choose to treat beyond the common use areas of their properties and we will estimate this on a case-by-case basis. We also handle commercial mosquito control for even larger properties as well.
How long does each visit take?

On average, a visit takes less than 10 minutes, so you might not even notice we were there. But you will notice the mosquitoes and ticks are gone after we perform our control services.
Do I need to be home when you treat my property?

No, you do not have to be home for us to treat your property. It is customary that your technician will knock on your door at their first visit to introduce themselves and walk the property with you and if you are home, great! If not, they will be able to spray and will try to introduce themselves on a later visit.
How quickly can I begin using my property after you've sprayed?

Spray today, play today! You may begin using your property as soon as the spray has dried, usually by the time your technician has left.
How frequently do you treat my property?

On average we will treat every 14 days for mosquitoes and every 60 days for fleas & ticks.
When does your program start and end?
It varies regionally based on weather. Please contact your local Mosquito Shield location to discuss the seasonal timing of sprays and services. You can sign up anytime and start enjoying the full benefit of our mosquito control and tick services.

Related:
- Frequently asked questions about ticks
- Frequently asked questions about mosquitos

Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquitoes

Why do mosquitoes bite humans?

Female mosquitoes require a blood meal for every batch of eggs they produce. Proteins and nutrients from blood are reserved for egg production and consumed only by females. Both sexes instead rely on sugar as their main source of energy. They feed on plant nectar, fruit juices and other plant liquids containing sugar. The sugar is burned as fuel and is replenished on a regular basis.
Why are mosquitoes drawn to certain people more than others?

Many factors that determine mosquito-feeding behavior are still not understood. However, these factors seem clear: Female mosquitoes use carbon dioxide as a primary cue to a person’s location. A host-seeking mosquito is guided to its skin by following the carbon dioxide emitted when a host exhales. Once they’ve landed, a number of short-range attractants are used by the mosquito to determine if the host can provide an acceptable blood meal. Folic acid appears to be important in making this determination.
Can mosquitoes cause and spread disease?

Yes. Mosquitoes are the most formidable transmitters of disease in the animal kingdom. Several of the most severe diseases (human and other) spread by mosquitoes include malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever, dog heartworm, human elephantiasis, and West Nile virus.
Do mosquitoes transmit AIDS?

No. The AIDS virus cannot survive or multiply in mosquitoes. It is digested along with the contents of the blood meal.
What happens to mosquitoes in the winter?

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and, as a result, are incapable of regulating body heat. Mosquitoes cannot function below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. With the onset of colder weather mosquitoes enter hibernation in order to survive. Some species lay hardy eggs that survive the cold to hatch in spring, while others hibernate in various developmental stages (larval, pupae).
Are bug lights effective?

Ultraviolet bug lights, or ‘zappers’ are relatively ineffective against mosquitoes, who seek light colors, heat, and carbon dioxide, none of which is emitted by zappers. In addition, zappers kill indiscriminately, eliminating insects that are beneficial, as well as those who may feed on mosquitoes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks

What diseases do ticks spread?

Ticks transmit Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever, St. Louis encephalitis, tick paralysis, tularemia, cytauxzoonosis, Lyme disease, canine ehrlichiosis, hepatozoonosis, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
How do ticks attach?

Ticks have sharp mouthparts rather like tiny crab claws. Ticks begin feeding by secreting a numbing chemical so the host doesn’t feel their hard, stabbing mandibles pierce the skin. The mouthparts are barbed so the pet can’t scratch or rub to dislodge the tick.

A hungry tick is flat, like a freckle, but it has an elastic abdomen so a female can suck up a hundred times its own body weight in blood. Then, the female lays several hundred eggs before she shrivels up and dies. When she dies, she leaves behind the carapace, or outer covering and 8 legs.
How do ticks feed?

Ticks don’t digest solids, so they dribble saliva into the wound to dissolve tissues and suck up this soup. The saliva contains enough bacteria and protozoa that ticks are among the most potent disease vectors in the world.
How do I remove a tick?

Ticks literally bury their heads into the skin to suck fluids. Do not try to squeeze them. Do not heat them with matches, pour alcohol on them, or slather them with petroleum jelly. Instead, for tick removal, slip a pair of tweezers or tick puller as close to the skin as possible, and gently ease the tick out. GRAB BY THE HEAD, where the tick enters the skin, not by the body. Pull gently and do not twist.
How do I kill a tick?

Drop the tick into alcohol to kill it. Flushing down the toilet will not kill ticks; it’s a sewer theme park ride for them. Do not squish the tick to death with your fingers. Contagious tick-borne diseases are transmitted this way. Instead, drop the tick into a container of alcohol.

Get ahead of the game to make sure you, your family, and pets, enjoy outdoor living in comfort. Schedule exterior mosquito and tick control service – call us at 410-858-7506.