Mosquitoes are flying insects. They are small, 1/8 to 3/8 inches long. Mosquitoes have six legs and two wings. They are generally grey to black. Most importantly, they have an elongated proboscis that they use to drink nectar. The female mosquito also uses it to draw blood out of her victims because she must have a blood meal before she can lay her eggs. Most mosquitoes draw the blood from a specific type of creature, a bird, or a certain mammal. They take any blood they can get.
Most mosquitoes like to hang out in cool, shady foliage such as shrubs during the day. They are most active at dusk, at night, and at dawn. Other mosquitoes are active during the day.
Mosquitoes Are Dangerous
Mosquito bites are not just an itchy nuisance. Mosquitoes can carry diseases, some of them very deadly. In fact, mosquitoes are considered the most dangerous creatures on earth. They can spread:
- Zika virus
- Malaria
- West Nile virus
- Dengue fever
- Chikungunya
- Yellow fever
- Encephalitis
- Tularemia
- And more
Not all diseases are present in each locale, but there is always a chance that a disease may be present in the local mosquito population.
Mosquito Life Cycle
Mosquitoes, like most creatures, require water, food, and shelter. Mosquito eggs must be in the water to hatch. Some eggs can wait years before water engulfs them. When the eggs hatch, they become wrigglers, living in the water and eating plants or other small animals. They surface to breathe air. After several molts, they become pupae, which are nicknamed "tumblers" because they tumble in the water. They do not eat during this stage. Finally, adult mosquitoes emerge from the pupae and fly off to mate. After mating, the female seeks a blood meal to start the cycle again. The whole lifecycle usually takes two weeks, but it can range from four days to a month.
Reducing The Mosquito Population Around You
There are things you can do to reduce the mosquito problems around you. For example:
- Dump out all standing water in your yard.
- Wash birdbaths and water troughs out at least twice a week.
- Trim shrubs back at least 6 inches from any building so they do not stay cool and shady during the day when mosquitoes are looking for places to loaf.
- Wear personal repellants containing DEET on your skin when out at dusk and dawn.
Get Professional Help To Eliminate The Mosquitoes In Your Yard
Because mosquitoes can fly between properties, it can be hard to eliminate them in your yard. Call Pest & Termite Consultants to get rid of them. When you call, we will send a trained and licensed technician out to your house. Our technician will talk to you about your pest problems and inspect your yard to see where the mosquitoes are congregating. He will then develop a plan to treat the mosquitoes, a plan that uses the safest products available.
We use a backpack mist system that does not allow the pesticide to pool or puddle. We start at the borders of your property and work in, spraying vegetation and other places where mosquitoes may hide. We eliminate adults, eggs, and larvae. For best results, we recommend treating your yard every 21 days from the first part of spring through the first hard frost. If you are having a special event outside, we can treat your yard right before that event on a one-time basis.
The spray we use dries within 30 minutes and is friendly to the environment. It is safe to use around kids and pets. It will not harm beneficial insects, either. Call Pest & Termite Consultants at (919) 246-8831 to get mosquitoes under control in your yard.