The comfort of warm weather and the enjoyment of the great outdoors is almost always tempered by the annoying persistence of mosquitoes. Fortunately, the everyday pain of mosquito bites can be reduced with the right course of action and prevention. Prevention that we at Orange Environmental Services specialize in. Here are the common signs of mosquito bites and how you can effectively treat and prevent them. What Does a Mosquito Bite Look Like? Mosquito bite symptoms generally lessen in severity as you age and your body becomes accustomed to them. The most common sign is white or reddish bubbled skin around the affected area occurring immediately after a bite. Bumps tend to harden and darken if they appear a day or so after you have been bitten. Children and people with compromised immune systems may show more serious symptoms because their bodies lack the tolerance to easily handle mosquito bites. Swelling...

Indoor and outdoor pest bites can range from completely harmless to annoying to life-threatening. Learning about the world and the environment around you can help you to understand the risks they pose. Most insects won’t bother you if you don’t go near them, but sometimes they are the ones that are invading your space. Read on to learn more about what kinds of pests bite and what the risks are.  Mosquitoes  Mosquito bites are probably the most common pest bites, especially in hotter, more humid environments where they thrive. The bites are small, sometimes sharp, and can leave an itchy red bump on your skin. Most mosquito bites are ultimately harmless, but in rare cases, they can harbor diseases like West Nile Virus.  Fire Ants or Red Ants  These ants aren’t just the type to bother you at a picnic. These ants are an aggressive breed that has a painful bite....

The state of Florida is home to 315 species of bees. About 29 of those species are only found in Florida. Unlike honeybees, the bees discussed in this article are native to Florida while honeybees were brought over from a different country. Keep reading to discover just a few of the bees that you may find in northeast Florida. Sweat Bees Over 60 species of sweat bees live in Florida. These bees mostly nest in the ground and are active all year round. On a hot day, they will seek out humans that are hot and overheated to lap up their sweat. They use the sweat for its salt and protein sources and feed it to their young. If you would like to attract this sort of bee to your garden, plant wildflowers and leave some of your soil untilled so that they can nest there. Mining Bees This species also...

Lawn care in Jacksonville, Florida is an important thing to keep in mind as a homeowner. If you notice the heat, humidity, and heavy rain in particular, you already have a good idea of how hard it can be to keep up with your lawn. There’s no one right way to take care of your lawn. You have many options at your fingertips when it comes to deciding how your lawn should bloom. If you’re having trouble deciding on what to do or if you don’t know what to do at all, read on to see our top two lawn services you can utilize with us.   Edging, Blowing and Mowing Grass grows quickly in Florida. That’s thanks to heavy rainfall that feeds the grass. If you want to keep up appearances, you should have your lawn edged, mowed, and blown on a regular basis. Much like a haircut, lawns can...

Keeping rodents out of your home is important for many reasons. In addition to raiding your pantry and leaving droppings behind, rats and mice can also spread various diseases to you or your pets. Luckily, there are many ways to protect yourself from a rodent infestation. Keep Your Home Sealed It’s very easy for rodents to sneak into your home through small holes in walls, doors, crawl spaces, fireplaces, and vents. Properly sealing your home will reduce your risk of rodents getting in. Smaller holes can be filled with caulk and/or steel wool. Larger holes and cracks can be filled with cement, gardening cloth, metal sheets, and plastic weather strips. Rats and mice can also burrow in through your roof or foundation, so check for holes and leaks regularly and hire a professional to patch holes if needed. Proper Home Sanitation Rats and mice will sneak into your home in search...

While pests are not typically synonymous with indoor gardens, there are some threats that you should be aware of when it comes to indoor plants. Obviously, no one plans on attracting pests into their house, but by not being fully aware, you could be harboring a perfect environment for them, thus ruining your plants and creating a mess in your own home. Read on to learn more about what attracts pests to your house plants . High Humidity High humidity attracts pests because the humidity in the air helps keep their bodies moist, warm and vibrant. Without humidity, pests would normally dry out and die off. Insects have a strong sense of where to find humidity. If your home is humid or even damp, consider investing in a dehumidifier to remove the moisture. You can also move your plants farther away from each other so that you give them more breathing room. Having...

Bee’s, although terrifying to some, actually have an important role to play in the ecosystem, specifically around plant and tree pollination and populations. Bees are believed to have been around for nearly 120 million years, but the first bee fossil was found about 65 million years ago. But, that doesn’t make them any less terrifying, especially if you are allergic to them. Here are some of the top ways to keep bees away from your fruit trees throughout the year. Benefits To Keeping Bees Away If you or someone you love is allergic to bees, having these flying friends can be a safety concern for all. While some experienced less severe allergic reactions to stings over time, others develop a more severe reaction that can actually lead to anaphylactic shock and/or death. While bees tend to stick to themselves and their colonies, they can get protective or get sick, causing them...

Silverfish are destructive pests that get their name from their steel-like outer shell and fish-like style of moving. While no longer in length than a nickel, they can do serious damage to a home, destroying wooden beams and eating clothes, important documents and expensive works of art. These pests cause untold damage all throughout the spring and summer; however, if you think that you’re safe from silverfish in the winter, you’re mistaken. Silverfish are nearly just as active in the cold temperatures as in any other time of the year. Here is why silverfish are resistant to low temperatures, and what you can do to keep them at bay year round. Why Silverfish Don’t Mind the Winter? Unlike many other types of pests, silverfish don’t hibernate. They may slow down and go into a state of diapause, where their development in halted, but they are still active. They are not warm...