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Here’s the Real Secret for Getting Rid of Mosquitoes

Aug 22, 2023 | Mosquito Control

Here's the Real Secret for Getting Rid of Mosquitoes
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Here’s the Real Secret for Getting Rid of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are not just annoying pests; they can also pose serious health risks to humans and household pets. As summer rolls on, it’s important to understand the factors that attract mosquitoes, their breeding habits, the health risks they carry, and the best strategies for mosquito control that homeowners can do in order to keep these pests at bay.

Everything You Ought to Know About Mosquitoes

Most people know the basics about mosquitoes – that they are attracted to water, multiply rapidly, and feast on blood. Yuck. But, there’s a lot more to these unwelcome guests, so, in this article, we’ll go ahead and delve into the secrets of effectively getting rid of mosquitoes, including tips for homeowners to prevent infestations and the benefits of professional pest control services when you just can’t get rid of them.

Attraction and Activity

Mosquitoes are attracted to several things, including carbon dioxide, body heat, moisture, darkness, and certain scents. They are most active during dawn and dusk when temperatures are cooler. Female mosquitoes require a blood meal to lay eggs, making them persistent biters. (Males don’t bite because they only feed on plant juices, such as nectar, to get the sugar they need for energy and survival.) Notwithstanding, here’s a quick breakdown of what attracts them most and why:

  • Carbon dioxide: Mosquitoes can detect the carbon dioxide that humans and animals exhale from up to 50 feet away. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide because it is a good indicator of the presence of a warm-blooded animal.
  • Body heat: Mosquitoes are also attracted to body heat. They can sense the heat of a human from up to 100 feet away.
  • Moisture: Mosquitoes are attracted to moisture. They are more likely to be found in areas where there is standing water, such as swamps, ponds, and even bird baths.
  • Darkness: Mosquitoes are more active at night. This is because they are less visible to their prey in the dark.

In addition, mosquitoes are attracted to sweet scents such as those found in perfumes, lotions, and even some foods. So, this explains why they go after people, who regularly use such products and also why they seem more prevalent when there’s food around.

Reproduction and Multiplication

Mosquitoes have a rapid reproductive cycle. Female mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, and these eggs hatch into larvae, then pupae, before emerging as adult mosquitoes. Depending on the species and environmental conditions, mosquitoes can complete their life cycle in as little as seven to ten days. While that isn’t long, it’s certainly time enough for them to wreak havoc on any given outdoor activity.

Mosquitoes can – and do – multiply quickly. A female mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs at a time, and those eggs can hatch in as little as a week. This means that a small mosquito population can quickly grow into a large one in a very short amount of time, giving them the ability to take over a yard with little effort.

Health Risks

Mosquitoes are known carriers of various diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and several types of encephalitis. These diseases can have severe consequences for human health. Mosquito bites can also cause allergic reactions and discomfort in not only people but pets as well.

Preferred Breeding Sites

Mosquitoes typically breed in stagnant water sources such as ponds, bird baths, flower pots, clogged gutters, and even small puddles. Eliminating or properly managing these water sources can help reduce mosquito breeding grounds. (Though, this won’t necessarily get rid of all of them.) Nonetheless, standing water is a prime attractor and any of it can bring mosquitoes onto a property.

Prevention Strategies for Homeowners

Fortunately, homeowners can take several proactive steps to minimize mosquito populations around their properties. These include removing standing water sources, such as emptying and cleaning bird baths regularly, maintaining swimming pools, clearing gutters, and covering rain barrels.

Additionally, wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellents, and installing screens on windows and doors can provide added protection. There are a number of things homeowners can do to keep mosquitoes from becoming a problem, including:

  • Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Eliminating standing water around your home is one of the best ways to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. This includes emptying bird baths, buckets, and other containers of water on a regular basis.
  • Drain water from areas around your home: If you have a lot of vegetation around your home, make sure to drain any water that collects in areas such as gutters, downspouts, and flower pots.
  • Trim vegetation: Mosquitoes like to hide in tall grass and other vegetation. Trimming vegetation around your home will help to reduce the number of mosquitoes that are around.
  • Use insect repellent: When you are outdoors, wear insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or IR3535. These are the active ingredients that have been shown to be most effective at repelling mosquitoes.
  • Cover up: When you are outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants to help protect your skin from mosquito bites.
  • Be sure to screen your windows and doors: Install or replace screens in your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home. Also, you can use a fan. A fan can help to keep mosquitoes away from you.

Lastly, have your yard treated by a professional pest control company: If you have a serious mosquito problem, you may want to have your yard treated by a professional pest control company.

Professional Pest Control Services

While homeowners can implement preventive measures, professional pest control services offer the most effective and comprehensive mosquito control. Pest control experts have the knowledge, experience, and specialized tools to accurately assess the extent of the mosquito problem, identify breeding sites, and implement targeted treatment strategies. They can employ a combination of larvicides, residual insecticides, and fogging techniques to control mosquito populations and provide long-lasting relief.

Putting All Together

Effective mosquito control requires a multi-faceted approach. Homeowners can play a crucial role in preventing mosquito infestations by eliminating standing water sources and adopting protective measures. However, for long-lasting and comprehensive mosquito control, it is advisable to seek the expertise of professional pest control services.

With their specialized knowledge, advanced treatments, and integrated management strategies, they can effectively reduce mosquito populations, minimize health risks, and create a more comfortable living environment.

Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your outdoor activities or compromise your well-being—take proactive measures and consider professional pest control like Invader, for the most effective mosquito control solution.