Summertime brings sunshine, rising temperatures, and some of the most popular wedding months. Planning is essential for the big day to go off without a hitch, but there’s one final detail to take care of if you’re planning your nuptials outdoors– how do you ensure the attention is on you, and not on your unwanted guests? RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) ® has tips to make sure you are prepared against mosquitoes on your big day.
Mosquitoes tend to crash outdoor events during the summer when the insects are most active and can carry diseases, such as Zika and West Nile viruses and chikungunya, that pose a threat to your guests if bitten; Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, transmitters of the Zika virus, are primarily located in the southern states of the U.S. and could impact a broader area that might include your wedding venue if they carry the disease.
Aedes are not your typical mosquito. While we often think of mosquitoes biting at dawn and dusk, Aedes bite all day. Setting an earlier wedding time might help with other pests, but it is still important to take precautions.
We want to offer four important steps you can take to ensure your guests are the only ones “buzzing” at your wedding.
- Talk to your venue. Many venues have the ability to treat the area for mosquitoes and other bugs prior to your wedding day. Ensure the grass is cut short, and survey the venue grounds for any standing water. If there is any present, ask to have it removed.
- Blow them away. Set up fans to use during the ceremony and reception. Not only do they provide a nice breeze for those hot summer days, but they also make it harder for mosquitoes to fly.
- Be smitten, not bitten. Provide EPA-approved insect repellent proven to prevent mosquito bites for your wedding guests either in baskets as they enter the venue or in the bathroom. Incorporate your theme by using containers or placing a sign that matches your décor.
- Don’t forget about your honeymoon. Water-front destinations are an ideal place for mosquitoes to thrive. Check that all screens on windows and doors in your room are in good repair, and keep windows and doors closed to keep mosquitoes out. Don’t forget insect repellent before heading outside!
