This is the first in a series of articles we will be doing to help protect your family and pets from mosquitoes and No-See-Ums.

Spring is here, which also means it is bug season. With the warmer weather quickly approaching, the bugs are starting to come back and they will get worse as the weather heats up. No-See-Um problems occur on and off through the winter, depending on outdoor temperatures.

Mosquitoes live in freshwater areas and No-See-Ums live in the brackish or salt-water areas. Both are typically inland near water and significantly reduced in the open water coastal areas.

No-See-Ums (culicoides sp) and Mosquitoes (culcidae sp.) are from the fly family. Only the females bite. The Female obtains a protein meal for their eggs. (Yes, so they can reproduce themselves)

Here are some tips to protect your family from the diseases that these creatures may bring into your families this season.

1. A good start is to get rid of that standing water. Areas that are often overlooked include:
   • Flower and outdoor plants that after the special occasion are placed outside. (Complete with their aluminum wrapper, which retains water)
   • Tires, hopefully you do not have these lying around.
   • Small kiddie type pools resting against the side of your home or other structure.
   • Empty pots.
   • Any other container buckets etc. that may be lying around.
   • Restricted Gutters (Yes, if you have leaves in your gutters they are restricted).
2. Mosquitoes and No-See-Ums, love damp, moist areas. The male and females are found in plant media, as they feed off the nectar, (when they are not feeding on you).
3. Always remember, do not place deet product on your skin they are to be sprayed on your clothing only. Deet products can cause many types of skin irritations, especially in tropical conditions.

Stay safe and bite-free. In the next issue we will discuss different options of home equipment that can help control these pesky bugs in your yard.