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Ugh
THE MOSQUITO TERMINATOR
The Mosquito Terminator
Mosquito barrier control can help you reclaim your backyard.
f you're like most homeowners, you've
probably sunk a lot of money in your
backyard: landscaping, deck or patio,
freshly planted flowers, state-of-the-art
grill... Isn't it frustrating to have to aban-
don it all and make a run for the indoors
at dusk to avoid the pesky (and danger-
ous!) mosquito?
Mosquitoes are dangerous because they
carry and transmit disease such as certain
types of encephalitis, including West Nile
Virus. Mosquitoes also pose a threat to
pets. Dog heartworm has also made its
way into Michigan as a result of the mos-
quito.
The insects breed in standing water,
such as ponds, flooded areas, birdbaths
and buckets. Mosquitoes are most active
on still, humid summer days. Their pre-
ferred time of day is dusk to dawn, which
means they can only be avoided by limiting
time spent outside at those hours — which
makes it hard to enjoy your yard for a sum-
mer party.
Commercial skin repellants that contain
DEET are helpful, but the oily, smelly resi-
due left on the skin turns off many people;
and there are those who are just uncom-
fortable spraying harsh chemicals on the
exposed skin of their children.
Citronella candles have limited effective-
ness. The familiar blue light of outdoor
bug zappers does little to affect mosquito
population — although the snap, crackle
and pop does provide a certain amount of
satisfaction to listening humans. There is
no scientific evidence that high-frequency
sound devices are effective at keeping
mosquitoes at bay.
So what can you do?
MOSQUITO BARRIER CONTROL
Thankfully, there is relief available. Mos-
quito One, based in Belleville, provides
both commercial and residential bar-
rier spraying across Southeast Michigan,
including Livingston, Macomb, Monroe,
Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne
counties, to guard against the annoying
pests.
The company concentrates its efforts on
the areas where homeowners spend the
majority of their time: the deck, BBQ, pool,
around the entire house, shed, kids and
pets play areas.
"This enables us to have a reasonable-
priced approach to all households regard-
less of land size— up to 2 acres," said
owner Frank Szewczyk, who runs the busi-
ness with his wife, Rona. He started the
company last fall after having heard about
it during his work as a logistics executive.
"It was new. Mosquito-free living? I con-
sulted with experts and did my research,
and it works."
Since the company launched,
Szewczyk has experienced huge demand
from Michigan homeowners. "People are
sick of having to go inside at 6 p.m. to
avoid being eaten alive by bugs," he said.
This spring and early summer, mos-
quitoes are expected to be prominent
because of all the moisture left over from
the harsh, snowy winter.
AFFORDABLE OPTIONS
The service is affordable and can keep your
Employee Jeff Thomas of Livonia sprays a product that kills mosquitos where they like to hide.
yard mosquito-free from May through Oc-
EFFECTIVE PEST CONTROL
tober. The technicians from Mosquito One
"Mosquitoes don't live in the grass," Sze-
will come to you home and spray about
wczyk said. "They live in the trees, shrubs,
every three weeks.
bushes and under the deck. They tend to
First-time customers can get a one-time
live on the underside of leaves to avoid
application for $49.95; single applications
direct sunlight."
are $74.95 thereafter. If you want your
Consequently, that's where Mosquito
yard sprayed for a graduation or birthday
One sprays. An application takes about
party, or for the Fourth of July, order early,
20 minutes to a half-hour. Once it's dry —
suggests Szewczyk.
about 30 minutes —it's safe to return to
Seasonal rates are an even better value
normal activities for both humans and ani-
at $649.95 for the May through October
mals. The product doesn't wash away with
season. For paying in full, consumers get
the rain — or bake away in the hot sun.
a discounted rate of $584.95. A four-
"I have two small children and I spray my
payment plan is also available, with four
own yard," Szewczyk said. "The mosqui-
payments of $162.49.
toes are the real danger."
Homeowners can save even more
Last year, the U.S. experienced the
money by collaborating with neighbors.
largest and most deadly outbreak of West
For two yards paid in full,
each neighbor gets an
additional $50 discount.
For three yards, the
price would go down
by a $100 discount, and
so forth. The minimum
price would be $250 per
neighbor.
Mosquito One also has
options for special events
held at non-residential
locations such as an out-
door wedding at a park
or golf course, or cor-
porate events at a VFW
hall. The price is $349.95.
"Since it's a one-time
event, we double up on
our effots to ensure a
mosquito-free evening,"
Left: Owner Frank Szewczyk. Right: Thomas spreads a product used to stop
mosquito larva from developing.
Szewczyk said.
Nile virus since 1999, when the disease
first showed up in the country. More
than 37,000 people in the U.S. have been
reported with West Nile virus disease since
1999, and of those, over 16,000 have been
seriously ill and more than 1,500 have
died.
The application also effectively kills
other insects, such as ticks, fleas or gnats.
"We have even had several clients tell us
they don't have flies or spiders for weeks
after we spray," Szewczyk said.
The product used by Mosquito One
sets it apart from its competitors. "It's
microencapsulated. In other words, it has a
time-release quality, which means we use
less of it," Szewczyk said.
Unlike other providers who offer
mosquito control along with other
pest-control solutions, Mosquito One
focuses only on mosquitoes. "That's
our bread and butter," Szewczyk said.
"And because we aren't a franchise like
other mosquito control companies, we
can offer savings to our customers — no
franchise fees to pass along."
Mosquito One is committed to
upholding the highest level of service
in the mosquito barrier industry. "We
want your service experience to be one
of the best service experiences you have
ever had. That's why we offer customers
a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee,"
Szewczyk added.
For more information, logon to www.
MosquitoOne.com or call (734) 922-
5700. ❑
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