Mosquito bites cause about 10 deaths in the United States every year, and transmit infections to thousands more. We will go over what they do, how they behave, and what you can do to keep them away from your property.

If you already have a mosquito problem, or want to prepare for mosquito season a professional mosquito control service program should be considered. Don’t let mosquitoes and other insects become a problem in your yard or home.

What Do Mosquitoes Do?

Mosquitoes feed on people and animals. They are a species of small fly. In fact, the word “mosquito” is Spanish for “little fly.” Their bodies are slender and they have elongated mouths so that they can pierce the skin to feed.

The life cycle of the mosquito is about 8 to 10 days. Female mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. The eggs can survive from a few days to several months after being laid. When they hatch, they will take about 2 to 3 days to become fully developed, adult flying mosquitoes.

How Do Mosquitoes Find You?

Mosquitoes find you by sensing carbon dioxide levels in the environment. They can detect it up to 90 feet away. They’re also drawn to scents released by your body—especially body odor released through sweat. Depending on the species, mosquitoes can travel just 300 feet to over hundreds of miles to find prey.

The Dangers of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are quite dangerous since they are small, fly, and not always easy to detect until you see one already on you. Deadly diseases that they can transmit to people:

• Zika virus
• Yellow fever
• Dengue
• Malaria

These diseases can lead to severe illness, cause debilitation, and even death. Malaria is the prevalent disease transmitted by mosquitoes in the United States. The World Health Organization estimates that mosquito bites are responsible for over 1 million deaths worldwide every year.

Use the following information to help you form your prevention strategies, and check-in with pest control professionals each year to learn updates on the latest industry standards for mosquito and insect control. 

When Are Mosquitoes Most Active?

Knowing when mosquitoes are most active can help you avoid them or at least know when to be best prepared to deter them:

• Survive and breed most in warmer months
• Come out most at dusk and dawn
• Are most active in shady areas

Keeping Mosquitoes Away

Stop mosquitoes from reproducing by eliminating standing water. The CDC recommends that you walk around your property, check for standing water, and address any areas found at least once a week. A female mosquito only needs an inch of water to lay 100 to 200 eggs, so something like a pet’s bowl of water, or an unleveled portion of the yard after rain both make easily overlooked, yet ideal laying grounds.

As discussed previously, avoid activities outside at dusk and dawn to the degree that you’re able. If you’re going to be outside:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover your skin
• If the material is thin, consider adding some spritzes of skin-safe mosquito repellant
• Use DEET or a blend of lemon and eucalyptus oil as deterrents

Repellants that can be worn on the skin come in many different formulas nowadays to accommodate skin sensitivities.

Reach out to the local pest control experts at Pest Assassins today!

Mosquitoes are a small nuisance but shouldn’t be taken lightly. Call Pest Assassins in Smithfield, Middletown, Dover and Seekonk or throughout our service area in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for a home and yard inspection. Get ready for the warmer months before mosquitoes can become the most active. Give us a call to learn more about our Mosquito Control Program.