Understanding the Browder-Hite Premier Mosquito & Tick Program and Browder-Hite EcoGuard Mosquito & Tick Program
Nothing can ruin an evening outside faster than mosquitoes. Ticks are often less noticeable, but they can create serious concerns for families, pets, and anyone who spends time outdoors. On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, wooded edges, marshes, standing water, dense plantings, any open container or tire and humid weather can all contribute to persistent mosquito and tick pressure.
At Browder-Hite, Inc., we offer two professional options: the Browder-Hite Premier Mosquito/Tick Program and the Browder-Hite EcoGuard Mosquito & Tick Program. Both are designed to reduce mosquito and tick activity around the areas where people spend time. The difference is in the products, the way they work, and the priorities each program is built to address.
Why Mosquitoes and Ticks Are Difficult to Control
Mosquitoes need very little water to reproduce. Gutters, flowerpots, children’s toys, birdbaths, tarps, drainage areas, and other small water-holding locations can become breeding sites. Many adult mosquitoes rest during the day in shaded, humid areas such as shrubs, groundcovers, ornamental trees, fence lines, wood edges, and dense vegetation.
Ticks behave differently. They often remain in leaf litter, mulch beds, tall grass, groundcovers, and shaded transition areas while waiting for a person or animal to pass. Because both pests are continually introduced from neighboring properties and natural areas, we do not promise a completely pest-free yard. The goal is meaningful population reduction for your physical safety and a more enjoyable outdoor environment.
Browder-Hite Premier Mosquito/Tick Program
The Browder-Hite Premier Mosquito/Tick Program uses a professional bifenthrin-based insecticide. Bifenthrin is widely used in professional mosquito and tick management because it provides fast knockdown (kill) and residual control for about 25 days.
Our technicians focus on the places mosquitoes and ticks are most likely to rest or travel, including shrubs, trees, landscape beds, groundcovers, fence lines, shaded vegetation, tall grass, and wooded edges. Our treatment is not simply a broad spray over the your lawn. Careful placement improves results and avoids unnecessary application to areas that do not contribute as much to pest activity. In fact, ticks are not found in lawn grass that is mowed at least once per week.
Bifenthrin remains on treated surfaces for a period after application, normally about 25 days. Mosquitoes and ticks that contact those surfaces may be controlled, including insects that arrive after the visit. Because weather, plant growth, and outside pest pressure gradually reduce that residual barrier, regular monthly applications are important.
The Premier Program is often the best fit for properties with heavy pest pressure, nearby woods or marshes, frequent outdoor entertaining, or customers who want the quickest and most consistent reduction in mosquito and tick activity.
We use Bifenthrin Responsibly
Clients commonly ask whether bifenthrin can be used around children and pets. The important answer is that the product must be applied according to its EPA-approved label by trained personnel. Browder-Hite, Inc. follows label directions, application rates, weather limitations, and reentry instructions. All of our applicators are licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to apply bifenthrin and other chemicals and receive yearly training.
People and pets should remain away from the treatment area while the application is taking place and until treated surfaces are completely dry. Drying time varies with weather and site conditions; we recommend one hour before resuming outdoor activities.
Browder-Hite EcoGuard Mosquito & Tick Program
The Browder-Hite EcoGuard Mosquito/Tick Program is designed for customers who prefer to reduce the use of conventional residual insecticides around their property. It combines Nature-Cide botanical spray applications with In2Care mosquito stations.
Nature-Cide products use plant-derived ingredients and are applied to the same shaded resting areas targeted in the Premier Program. Botanical products can help reduce mosquito and tick activity, but they generally do not provide the same residual length as a conventional bifenthrin treatment. This makes consistent scheduling and good property sanitation especially important.
For mosquito control, the EcoGuard Program adds In2Care stations. These stations attract egg-laying female mosquitoes. After entering a station, a mosquito can pick up control agents and transfer them to other breeding locations. This helps address hidden water sources that may be difficult for the homeowner or technician to find.
The EcoGuard Program is especially attractive to clients who value a botanical spray option, want a reduced-conventional-pesticide approach, and appreciate the added breeding-site strategy provided by In2Care stations.
How In2Care Stations Fit Into the Program
In2Care stations are not traditional traps that simply capture every mosquito entering the property. They are placed strategically and maintained as part of a broader mosquito-management plan. Female mosquitoes are drawn to the station as a potential egg-laying location. The system is designed so they can carry mosquito-control material to other small breeding sites before they die.
This approach can be valuable because a property may contain numerous hidden breeding locations, including clogged drains, tree holes, containers, or water on neighboring land. In2Care stations primarily support mosquito control. Tick reduction in the EcoGuard Program depends mainly on targeted botanical applications and good habitat management.
Which Program Provides Better Results?
There is no single answer for every property. The Premier Program generally provides faster knockdown, stronger residual performance, and the most dependable combined mosquito and tick control. It is usually the stronger option where tick pressure is a major concern or where mosquito pressure is consistently heavy.
The EcoGuard Program offers a different set of benefits. It reduces reliance on conventional residual insecticides and uses In2Care stations to address mosquito breeding beyond the areas that can be sprayed directly. Customers should understand that botanical sprays may require more patience, more consistent service and realistic expectations about residual performance.
Neither program prevents every mosquito or tick from entering the property. Results are affected by rainfall, temperature, surrounding vegetation, marshes, woods, standing water, untreated neighboring properties, and the homeowner’s own maintenance practices.
What Homeowners Can Do to Improve Results
- Empty standing water at least once each week.
- Clean gutters and drainage areas.
- Refresh birdbaths regularly.
- Store buckets, wheelbarrows, toys, and containers so they cannot hold water.
- Repair leaking outdoor faucets and irrigation problems.
- Remove unnecessary yard clutter and old tires.
- Trim dense vegetation around patios and play areas.
- Maintain grass, leaf litter, and wooded edges where ticks may remain.
- Follow all our technician instructions regarding access and reentry.
Traditional and EcoGuard Program Comparison
|
Feature |
Premier Program |
EcoGuard Program |
|
Primary approach |
Bifenthrin-based residual treatment |
Nature-Cide botanical spray plus In2Care stations |
|
Mosquito reduction |
Fast and consistent |
Meaningful control that may build over time |
|
Tick reduction |
Strong |
Moderate and property-dependent |
|
Residual performance |
Longer-lasting |
Shorter botanical residual |
|
Breeding-site strategy |
Primarily habitat reduction by homeowner |
In2Care helps target hidden mosquito breeding sites |
|
Best fit |
Heavy pressure and maximum control |
Clients prioritizing reduced conventional pesticide use |
|
People and pets |
Remain away until treatment is dry (usually about an hour) |
Usually about an hour |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can either program eliminate every mosquito and tick?
No. Mosquitoes and ticks can continually enter from neighboring properties, woods, marshes, drainage areas, pets, wildlife, and other untreated locations. The purpose of professional service is to reduce pest activity substantially, not promise complete elimination.
Is the Browder-Hite Premier Mosquito/Tick Program safe around children and pets?
Once applied and dry, yes! People and pets should remain away during treatment and until treated surfaces are completely dry. Customers should follow the specific reentry instructions provided at each service.
What is Nature-Cide?
Nature-Cide is a botanical pest-control product made with plant-derived ingredients. It offers customers an alternative to a conventional residual spray, although its residual performance is generally shorter.
What are In2Care mosquito stations?
In2Care stations attract female mosquitoes seeking a breeding location. The system is designed to let mosquitoes carry control agents to other breeding sites, helping address hidden sources that cannot always be located or sprayed directly.
Does the EcoGuard Program control ticks?
Yes, the Nature-Cide spray is applied to vegetation and other tick habitat. However, customers with heavy tick pressure will usually receive stronger and more consistent tick control from the Premier Program.
How often are treatments needed?
Both programs work best when they are performed consistently throughout the active mosquito and tick season. The exact schedule depends on the service plan, product label, weather, and property conditions. Generally the Premier program is applied 1x monthly and the EcoGuard program 1x monthly when paired with the In2Care stations.
Will rain wash away the treatment?
Rain can affect products differently depending on how soon it occurs after treatment and whether the product had time to dry. Please call our office if you feel rain has affected your treatment soon after application.
Why might I still see mosquitoes after treatment?
Mosquitoes can fly in from untreated areas at any time. Occasional activity does not necessarily mean the program failed. The proper measure is whether overall activity is substantially lower than it would be without treatment.
Which program should I choose?
Choose the Premier Program when your priority is fast knockdown, stronger residual control, and the best combined mosquito and tick performance. Choose the EcoGuard Program when reducing conventional pesticide use is a major priority and you want botanical sprays combined with In2Care breeding-site control.
Customer Q&A: Common Questions We Hear
Will you spray the entire lawn?
Not usually. Our technicians concentrate on shaded vegetation, landscape beds, groundcovers, fence lines, wooded edges, and other areas where mosquitoes and ticks are more likely to rest or travel.
Is EcoGuard completely pesticide-free?
No. It is better described as a reduced-conventional-pesticide program. Nature-Cide is a botanical pesticide, and In2Care stations use mosquito-control agents. We apply all products according to their labels.
Will In2Care stations control ticks?
No. In2Care stations are designed for mosquitoes. Tick reduction in the EcoGuard Program comes from Nature-Cide applications and habitat management.
Which program is better near woods or marshes?
The Premier Program is generally the stronger choice where pest pressure is severe. The EcoGuard Program can still be useful, but expectations should reflect the shorter residual of botanical treatments and the constant arrival of mosquitoes from nearby habitat.
Can I switch programs later?
Yes. A client may choose to change programs if priorities, property conditions, or results change. Browder-Hite can recommend the best approach based on actual conditions.
Which Mosquito/Tick Program Is Right for You?
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Choose Premier If You… |
Choose EcoGuard If You… |
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Still not sure? Every property is different. We can review the surrounding habitat, level of mosquito and tick pressure, family priorities, and outdoor-use patterns before recommending the program that best fits the property.
Call Today!
Spend more time enjoying your yard and less time fighting mosquitoes and ticks. Call us to discuss the Browder-Hite Premier Mosquito & Tick Program or the Browder-Hite EcoGuard Mosquito & Tick Program and determine which option best fits your property. We’re here to help!