As your team and ally, AMCO Pest will deal with Mosquito prevention this season so you can get back to fine wines and summer evenings on your patio.
With over 170 species of Mosquitoes in the US and thousands more throughout the world, Mosquito prevention is a must. It is only a matter of time until you too begin to feel the first itch right there on that familiar spot, where you always get bit… your forearm!
Mosquitoes belong to a family of flies called the Culicidae. Not all species suck blood, but many of those that do can transmit diseases, including West Nile virus and yellow fever. Even disease-free mosquitoes are irritating because of their saliva, which causes an allergic reaction in the form of an itchy red bump.
Mosquitoes are considered the most deadly animals in the world and contribute to close to a million deaths per year, according to an article in Smithsonian magazine. This is not because of the itchy bite, but mainly because of the diseases transmitted by the bite.
Amco can help to control mosquitoes on your property. There are many methods that we use for mosquito control. Depending on the situation, source reduction (e.g. removing stagnant water), biocontrol (e.g. importing natural predators such as dragonflies), trapping, and/or insecticides to kill larvae or adults may be used.
Mosquito Life Cycle
1. Egg
Eggs are laid by Female mosquitoes lay on the surface of any pool of water and soil that tends to flood. Mosquitoes to stay away from ponds or streams that contain fish or other predators. Hotspots for Mosquitoes to lay eggs on are small pools of water or puddles, holes in trees, discarded vehicle tires and plant saucers. – the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
2. Larva
Tiny larvae come out of the eggs. These larvae live in the water and hang upside down from the surface of the water. Others attach to vegetation. The siphon-like tubes they breath with and eating the surrounding bacteria and algae keep the larvae alive until they grow and molt four times.
3. Pupa
Once molting is complete, pupa stage begins remaining in the water where it rests and develops which may take a couple days. A fully developed Mosquito’s life span is approximately a week or so.
4. Adult
After a few days of resting and drying it’s wings, the female Mosquitoes fly away to feed. The male Mosquitoes do not feed on blood but rather nectar from fruits. Female Mosquitoes do not feed on blood, the actually feed on the protein they can extract from the the protein needed to develop their eggs.
Mosquito Prevention Measures
Eliminate standing water
It takes approximately one week for mosquitoes to breed in undisturbed standing water.
Water like this can occur in some unlikely places or ones that you can easily overlook such as:
- Bird baths
- Clogged gutters
- flowerpots
- baby pools
- Old unused tires
- Potted Plant Saucers
Do a thorough inspection around your property to check for sources of standing water to eliminate breeding mosquitoes.
Contact us if mosquitoes are an ongoing problem on your property or you live on or near water. We can also treat your property if you have an upcoming event to reduce mosquito populations and ensure a more enjoyable outside area for guests.
