The barrier treatments used in professional mosquito and tick control go on plant surfaces, but they don’t damage plants. The active ingredients work by targeting the nervous systems of insects and arachnids, and plants don’t have the nervous systems that would make this an issue.
The last thing you want, when investing in pest control, is a bunch of dead landscaping. That’s an entirely reasonable worry, and it’s one that we can easily dispel. In short: your shrubs, trees, and landscaping are not harmed by the treatment.
Pest control works because of insect neurology. Synthetic pyrethroids interfere with nerve signal transmission in insects. Plant-based essential oils work through similar contact mechanisms. Plants have totally different biology, and the treatments used on insects won’t harm how they grow, photosynthesize, or reproduce.
There are a few other considerations to bear in mind, though. Vegetable gardens and edible plants are treated differently. Most professional applicators will avoid spraying directly on fruits, vegetables, and herbs that you plan to eat. If you have a kitchen garden, let your provider know its location so they can treat around it rather than through it.
Newly planted or stressed vegetation deserves a mention as well. Again, treatment itself won’t harm plants. But if you have a plant that’s still shrugging off transplant shock, there is no reason to make it harder for the plant to set down roots. Your technician can easily work around it.
Flower gardens that attract pollinators are another area where communication helps. The treatment won't damage the flowers, but as noted, avoiding direct application to blooms when pollinators are active is a standard practice among professional applicators.
If you'd like professional pest treatment that works with your Northern Westchester landscaping rather than against it, Mosquito Squad of Northern Westchester can help. Mosquito Squad applies treatments to the areas where pests harbor, reducing mosquito and tick populations by up to 90% with technician visits every 21 days.
