How to Prevent Pesky Mosquitoes in Your Yard

Mississippi summers bring the heat and fun, but they also bring one tiny, annoying thing: MOSQUITOES. Not only are they annoying, but as we all know, they can also be very dangerous and spread diseases like the West Nile and Malaria. Mosquitoes can lay up to 250 eggs at a time that hatch in a short period of 7-15 days. The key here is to prevent this pesky bug from ever taking up residence in your yard. The best step of prevention is to try and eliminate all areas of breeding ground that can be found in your yard, and Picture Perfect Places is here to help!

5 WAYS TO PREVENT PESKY MOSQUITOES IN YOUR YARD:

1. CALL FOR WEEKLY/BI-WEEKLY LAWN MAINTENANCE - Tall grass and overgrown shrubs are like pinning up a "Welcome Home!" sign for mosquitoes. Consistent mowing and trimming of bushes and shrubs will help deter mosquitoes from lingering in your yard.

2. KEEP YOUR GUTTERS CLEAN - Cleaning the inside of your gutters is like cleaning the top of your refrigerator... You never know how gross it is up there until you climb up and start cleaning! Here is a simple equation to explain the problem that unclean gutters create: Clogged gutters = standing water. Standing water = mosquitoes. Picture Perfect Places will be happy to climb the ladder and unclog your gutters (and kill a few mosquitoes while we are at it, too)!

3. INSTALL A FRENCH DRAIN - Any yard without proper water drainage will, naturally, be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and their infinite number of eggs. Call Picture Perfect Places for a free estimate for french drain installation in your yard today!

4. GET RID OF THE JUNK - We know the struggle. Sometimes an unseen backyard becomes the "catch-all" area. Whether it be tires, trash, tree limbs, or old toys, these easily collect water and coerce mosquitoes to come and live. Picture Perfect Places will come and haul off all of your unwanted accumulation. Email or call me (Keith) for more details.

5. PLANT MOSQUITO-REPELLING PLANTS - A few of the most well-known plants to repel mosquitoes for the Jackson, MS zone include: Basil, Catnip, Mint, Lemon Grass, and Lemon Thyme. There has been some debate back and forth about the efficiency of plants in deterring mosquitoes, but the previous plants have many more benefits to offer as well. Basil, Mint, Lemon Grass and Lemon Thyme can all be used in cooking, and Catnip (which your cats will love!) and many of the herbs stated also contain butterfly nectar. I would send the mosquitoes in my yard packing in place of the occupancy of beautiful butterflies any day!

If you find yourself at your wits end this summer with the incessant buzzing and biting that mosquitoes bring, give Picture Perfect Places a call. We will work with you to help prevent those pesky mosquitoes!

-Keith-
601-594-9991

5 Ways to Spruce Up Your Yard This Summer WITHOUT Breaking the Bank!

Summer is high time for family gatherings by the pool, barbecues in the backyard, and tons of outdoor fun! There is no time like summer to put Picture Perfect Places to work in sprucing up your yard to make it party-ready. We know that budgets are always tight after planning summer vacations, so here are a few budget-friendly ways that my crew and I can make your yard look like a million bucks this summer:

5 WAYS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR YARD THIS SUMMER WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

1. EDGING - It sounds simple, but (believe me) it makes a HUGE difference! Edging around driveways and walkways magnificently increases curb appeal in a matter of minutes. Flower beds that are edged not only look more pristine, but are also more functional in keeping unwanted grass and weeds out.

2. WEEDING - Everyone knows how annoying weeds are, and how in just a few days they can become a major eyesore in the areas of your yard that are supposed to draw people in. I also know that the last thing anyone wants to be doing in the Mississippi summer heat is sweating profusely while pulling weeds. Give Picture Perfect Places a call and we will have your beds looking, well, "picture perfect" in no time (while sticking to your budget)!

3. LAYING FRESH MULCH/STRAW- If you do not have the budget to plant new flowers, consider simply adding some new mulch or straw. It will revitalize whatever is in the bed currently and give your yard that extra zest it needs! 

4. ADD STEPPING STONES - Stepping stones are a great focal feature of any garden or backyard. At a relatively inexpensive cost, you can add stones of any shape, color, or texture to make your yard stand out. Go to your nearest home/hardware store and find some that you like, then give me a call to come install them!

5. PLANT FLOWERS THAT POP - Having Picture Perfect Places plant some colorful, annual or perennial flowers in a focal point of your flower bed is a great way to add some vigor and life to your yard. Give me a call and I will send you pictures and price points of the perfect annuals for the Mississippi summer heat!

Being a husband and father of two kids, I know how tight budgets can get. Give me call for free estimates on any of the services listed. I will work hard to spruce up your yard this summer, and work within your budget!

-Keith-

601.594.9991

pictureperfectplacesms@gmail.com

Behind Every Successful Landscaper Is...

A Supportive Wife!

This is at least true in my specific case. Here are a few scenarios that show how awesome she truly is:

When I told her that I wanted to stop working in the restaurant industry and start my own business, she didn't tell me I was crazy and to keep working for "The Man". (And she was a very emotional, very pregnant woman at that moment in our lives!) 

When I told her that I would be using her Honda CRV as my work vehicle to carry my push mower, weedeater, and blower she sweetly obliged. 

When I told her that I would be buying some very expensive equipment for the growing business, she gladly signed with me on the dotted line. 

And she continues to blow me away with her support and encouragement in helping me grow Picture Perfect Places into a business that will continue to provide for our growing family. (She is currently pregnant with #3, by the way!) 

She stays at home with our three year old son and almost-two year old daughter, but one day she had the opportunity to go to work with me when the kiddos were with Grandma. She wrote a blog post about the day. You will really see her heart and how much she believes in me and this business. Check it out HERE.

You can rest assured that when you hire Picture Perfect Places for any of your landscaping or lawn care needs, you are helping a dedicated husband/wife team provide for their family!