Memorial weekend is the unofficial kick-off of summer. So this weekend many people will be outdoors grilling.
"We're having a barbecue at my dad's" said Deanne O'Rourke. "It's a family thing of getting together. We like to do it every year and it's important to see your family, enjoy time with your family."
But before she and her family start grilling, they've stocked up but not on food.
"We've got the OFF stocked and citronella candles and we're ready to battle summer" O'Rourke said.
They're talking about the battle against the bugs like mosquitoes.
"Now with the season coming up, you worry about the mosquitoes and what they can do to you and what disease they can cause" O'Rourke said.
Because of the diseases mosquitoes carry, the Department of Health and Human Services want people to be cautious.
Last year more than 2,000 people in the country were hospitalized for West Nile Virus and two died in Michigan.
But there are ways of protecting yourself and your home.
"This water in here is dirty and nasty and stagnant and this is calling to a mosquito" said Mosquito Squad owner, Michael Hoover.
As owner, Michael Hoover says most homeowners don't realize they can prevent the bugs from flying around.
"There's so many customers and citizens that don't realize the amount of mosquitoes that are coming off their property could be coming off their gutters," Hoover said. "It could be coming from standing water around their property."
He says homeowners can protect their homes by walking a perimeter around your home and following the 5 T's: Tip, Toss, Turn, Tarp, and Treat.
Tip, toss, and turn over any containers with water. Before calling the experts, make sure to uncover your grill, car, or boat to get rid of any water.
"if you do all of the 5 T's you are really going to minimize the amount of mosquitoes that you have on your property and you're going to create the most safest environment that you can for your yard" said Hoover.
An environment Deanne and her family want to keep bug free.
