Mosquito Control: 4 Tips To Keep Mosquitoes at Bay
Hiya, welcome back to your favorite pest control blog! Summer is making an appearance in our area. That means many pests are shaking the dust off and coming out to play. One of the most bothersome pests is mosquitos. Not only are mosquitos annoying, but they pose a more significant threat to humans than all other animals on this planet. Mosquito control is practically a need in our area, not just a want.
Understanding Mosquito Lifecycles
Understanding the lifecycle of a mosquito and the diseases it can carry helps pest professionals like us determine the most effective methods for mosquito treatments.
Once the female has laid her eggs, it takes 7 to 10 for the adult to emerge during the warm, active months. There are four stages in the development of a mosquito: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. Female mosquitos lay their eggs just above the water line on the walls of anything that holds water. These eggs can survive the winter for up to 8 months in our region.
When the water covers the eggs, they hatch into larvae. Larvae are easy to spot with the naked eye because you will see them wriggling in the water. The larval stage is about 5 days long before developing into pupa.
Pupa live in water as well and develop into adult flying mosquitos in 2 to 3 days. Female adult mosquitos emerge and hunt for their first blood meal to start the cycle all over again. They repeat this process every three days, feeding and then laying eggs. Male mosquitos don’t feed on blood. Instead, they consume nectar and plant juices. The mosquitos we see in this area do not fly very far from their breeding site, typically only traveling at most about 500 yards.
Mosquitos can carry an array of diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and west nile virus, to name a few. We want to be the top mosquito control company to help you reduce mosquitoes at your property. We have a few tips to help you make your outdoor space less appealing to the raging mosquito population we've come to live with.
How Can You Control the Mosquito Population in Your Yard?
1. Standing Water:
Stagnant, standing water is the number one beacon for mosquitos, and water is necessary for their life cycle.
Females lay their eggs near any available water source. Emptying containers that hold water is an easy way to reduce mosquitos at home. Look for flower pots, saucers, bird baths, buckets, old tires, and backyard toys.
Another place that can collect water is rain gutters. Make sure they are free of debris and able to drain fully. Think about all the places in your yard where water can collect for a week. This is where the next generation of insects is developing and preparing to begin the cycle anew.
2. Maintain Your Yard:
Adult mosquitos need a place to rest, and high grass and overgrown vegetation are the perfect places to take a load off. Regularly trimming your lawn, bushes, and hedges can make them less attractive to mosquitos by opening the area. These areas are good for resting, and debris can hide and collect water.
If you have any low-lying areas in your yard, leveling them out will help maintain proper drainage and keep water from pooling. Mosquitos like wet ground for breeding, making it perfect for the next generation.
3. Outdoor Lighting:
Incandescent and cool-toned LED lights attract mosquitos the most. These lights emit higher levels of blue and ultraviolet light, which resembles the sun to insects. If you are often outside at night, using yellow lights can help reduce mosquitos.
Where possible, a good lighting option that can contribute to reducing mosquito attraction. Changing your outdoor lighting and following other tips we’ve discussed can help make your yard less appealing to mosquitos. Our professional methods can also contribute to reducing the mosquito population in your yard. These changes can create a more comfortable outdoor environment for you and your family.
4. Choose a Mosquito Control Company:
No mosquito control company can eliminate all mosquitos. However, following some tips and choosing the right mosquito control professional can significantly decrease the mosquito population.
Four Seasons Pest Control is here to help. Our dedicated mosquito technician takes his time going over the harborage areas around your property. He works tirelessly to research cutting-edge methods for mosquito control. We hit every angle by targeting the larvae and adult mosquitos for the best outcome.
Mosquitos multiply quickly and in large numbers. If you have a mosquito problem on your property, we suggest signing up for our monthly mosquito service.
Have a big outdoor event coming up? We also offer a one-time mosquito treatment to help keep your guests comfortable. Nothing ruins a family reunion quicker than a hoard of 'skeeters.
Give us a call today to reserve your spot for our monthly mosquito treatment today!
