As the weather begins to grow warmer in the spring, Feasterville area residents who spend time outdoors are bound to notice that a certain insect is making its presence known. This insect is the mosquito, and it may be one of the most annoying pests in existence thanks to its itchy bites.
Two species, the northern house mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito, are the most frequently encountered in the area. Their activity is impossible to ignore during the summer as these pests congregate in warm, humid areas to lay eggs and seek a blood meal.
Female mosquitoes, which must feed on blood in order to lay eggs, may obtain this meal from almost any mammal. People are frequent victims of these bites, and the small wounds may itch like crazy, but they rarely are more serious than that.
Unfortunately, there are mosquitoes that are known as vectors. These insects carry diseases that can be transmitted to human bite victims and make them seriously ill. In some cases, these illnesses can even prove to be fatal.
Seeking to avoid bites and the possibility of getting sick, people may look for ways to deal with mosquito infestations. Most remedies that are available to the public fail to truly control the mosquito population. To accomplish this, it is necessary to ask an exterminator to take control of the situation.
WHAT MOSQUITOES LOOK LIKE
Mosquitoes are closely related to flies. Like their relatives, the mosquito is equipped with a single pair of wings. Other distinguishing characteristics include long, thin legs and a prominent proboscis, which the female uses to eat a mammal’s blood. The majority of mosquitoes measure about three to nine millimeters long, and their bodies and wings feature tiny scales.
Common house mosquitoes are light brown and may exhibit faint stripes on their abdomen. The translucent wings appear to be a similar shade as the insect’s body.
The Asian tiger mosquito may be identified by its black body and distinctive white or silver stripes and markings. Even this insect’s legs feature this eye-popping coloration.
WHERE DO MOSQUITOES LIVE?
While many insects are highly social and live together in nests containing hundreds of individuals, this is not the case with mosquitoes. They tend to be more solitary, but a large population will gather when the right kind of habitat is found.
Usually, that habitat is populated by a variety of mammals, including people. The females need to be close to mammals for the sake of obtaining blood meals. Because the females congregate in such areas, the males are drawn here as well.
In addition to proximity to mammals, mosquitoes look for appropriately damp conditions. In fact, the female actually lays her eggs in standing water, and a very small accumulation is required for this task.
This means that a fallen leaf that has collected a bit of rainwater could provide good habitat for a mosquito. Females also will look at stagnant puddles and ponds, a tire lying on its side or a birdbath as potential sites for egg-laying. If a yard has problems with standing water or clogged gutters, these can attract mosquitoes. Likewise, a leak in a plumbing or sprinkler system may prove irresistible to these annoying pests.
WHAT DO MOSQUITOES EAT?
Sugary substances never fail to attract hungry mosquitoes. Usually, they will obtain a meal from nectar or sap, but they also may eat honeydew. Because they like sweet things, mosquitoes are bound to be drawn to any foods that contain sugar. Sodas, fruit juices, fruit, vegetables and dessert items are particularly vulnerable.
In addition, female mosquitoes must have a blood meal before they can lay eggs. This is their only reason for biting people. Because male mosquitoes do not need a blood meal, they do not bite people.
DO MOSQUITOES BITE?
Absolutely.
However, only female mosquitoes bite and draw blood from humans. While both male and female mosquitoes possess similar mouthparts called proboscis, the biting apparatus of the female is thinner and better designed for stinging and drawing blood which necessary for egg production.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY MOSQUITOES
Aside from their ability to spread disease, mosquitoes largely are seen as nuisance pests. This means that they generally are not responsible for property damage. Still, a robust local population of mosquitoes makes it difficult for people to spend time outdoors.
ARE MOSQUITOES AGGRESSIVE?
Mosquitoes need the right conditions to live and procreate. Warmth and humidity are essential, so members of the species rarely are encountered until temperatures begin to get warm in the spring. When conditions are appropriate, mosquitoes can multiply rapidly. Unless control measures are instituted, the population soon becomes out of control.
Mosquitoes continue to bite people and lay eggs until the weather cools in the fall. Until those cooler temperatures arrive, it is not unusual for people to feel that mosquitoes are uncommonly aggressive.
DO MOSQUITIOES CARRY DISEASE?
Yes.
Any mosquito has the potential to be a vector. All that it takes is for the mosquito to take a blood meal from an infected animal or person. After ingestion, the infected blood proliferates in the mosquito’s system. It eventually reaches the creature’s salivary glands where it can be passed to its subsequent hosts.
Common house mosquitoes are known to be vectors of the Zika and West Nile viruses. Zika virus, which is less common in the U.S., is characterized by symptoms such as rash, red eyes, fever, vomiting and headache. West Nile virus is more frequently seen in North America. People who develop body aches, painful joints, rash and headache after a mosquito bite may be afflicted with this illness. West Nile virus also is spread by the Asian tiger mosquito as are eastern equine encephalitis, dengue fever and Chikungunya.
HOW TO DETECT MOSQUITOES
Signs of a mosquito issue include:
• Mosquitoes encountered indoors • Several bites occur on a regular basis • Mosquito swarms are ordinary events • Standing water or leaks • Strange symptoms occurring after a mosquito bite
HOW TO PREVENT MOSQUITOES
To help prevent mosquito problems the following steps should be taken:
• Eliminate standing water and leaks • Frequently change the water in birdbaths and swimming pools • Get rid of items like empty planters and upturned soda bottle caps that may hold water • Keep gardens neat and tidy by removing brush piles that might conceal puddles • Clean out gutters and downspouts
HOW TO TREAT FOR MOSQUITOES
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we know that mosquitoes are much more than a mere nuisance and represent a potential health risk to you and your family. That is why we provide a thorough inspection, and then utilize only the finest professional-grade products combined with the most effective treatment methods.
To achieve the best results possible, Newtown uses a comprehensive system based on both treatment and prevention when providing mosquito control for your home or business.
