There's an old saying, a man's home is his castle. That is still so true, isn't it? Especially nowadays in this changing world we live in, we spend more time at home than anywhere else. It's our place of comfort and security, and for many of us, it's also where we now work and play. If you are fortunate enough to be a homeowner, your castle also comes with your very own outdoor living space. Your yard is your own private, verdant place for recreation, cultivation, and relaxation. But if you are like many people, you may find yourself unable to enjoy it. Instead, you stay cooped up inside, deprived of that fresh air and open space, and your enjoyment of your yard is limited to a few rueful glances out the window. Why? Because your castle is under siege. Even worse, you cannot see the invaders until you step out the door, but you know they are out there waiting to attack, and they're definitely out for blood. They're insects.

West Virginia is a beautiful place to live, but its temperate climate makes the state a veritable ground zero for bugs. Our state has a diverse and thriving population of insects. Mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks are a particular nuisance here, and they can make a simple stroll across your lawn, a very unpleasant, stressful, and hazardous experience.

Did you know that mosquitoes kill more people annually than any other living creature on the planet? There are about 30 different species in West Virginia alone. They carry many diseases, including La Crosse Encephalitis, Malaria, Yellow Fever, West Nile Virus, Zika, and many more.

Fleas are an incredibly annoying and dangerous parasite. They are relentlessly seeking a living host they can live, feed, and breed on. They pack a painful, itchy bite and infest our pets, homes, and even our bodies if given the opportunity. Not only can they make us miserable, but they also cause allergic skin diseases and respiratory problems. Furthermore, fleas transmit tapeworms and have been linked to the spread of other viruses and diseases, too, including typhus and plague.

Ticks are another problematic parasite that likes to latch onto a warm-blooded host. There are numerous species of ticks in West Virginia, including the Deer Tick, which is responsible for spreading Lyme disease. Lyme disease is devastating to our long-term health, and it is prevalent in our state. In fact, the government has identified it as an endemic issue in eleven different counties, including Berkeley.

Protecting yourself from these insects can be a nearly impossible task. When you get ready to stray from your castle, it may feel like preparing for a battle straight out of Game of Thrones. Sure, you can cover yourself from head-to-toe in suffocating clothing. You can even slather on a sticky layer of insect repellent thick enough to rival a suit of armor, but that is still not an adequate solution in terms of comfort or protection. Indeed, clothing can be easily breached by a tiny bug, and insect repellent itself can be dangerous to your health.

So, what can you do? The real answer is lawn treatment. Your wisest move is to have your lawn and outdoor living spaces treated by a professional pest control company. When you need a pro, Black Knight Pest Services is the most experienced and trusted exterminator in your community. We are trained and certified experts at lawn treatment, and we'll put a plan of action in place that will minimize the presence of those insects around your home, now and in the future. So, when you're ready to be saved from those blood-thirsty beasts out there beyond the castle walls, give us a call. We may not show up in suits of shining armor, but Black Knight will come to your rescue with the latest environmentally friendly products and modern technology. You can count on us to win that battle and give you an outdoor living space you can use and enjoy.