Every southerner knows that dealing with mosquitoes is just a part of living in paradise. Mosquitoes love heat and humidity, making Pensacola a hot spot for these little buggers. Beyond being a nuisance, mosquitoes can actually cause some serious harm to humans. Having an abundance of them hanging around your property is no safe way to live. In this blog, we explore the life cycle of mosquitoes, why they're a danger to have on your property, and what Pensacola pest control company to hire to keep them away.
Mosquitoes: The Life Cycle Of The Little Fly
Mosquitoes are interesting insects that evolve and grow over time. Their life cycle goes from egg to larva, to pupa, and finally to adult; this process generally takes about two weeks, but depending on the conditions, it can also take anywhere from four days to a month. When the female adult mosquito emerges, there's no limit to how many times it can bite you. Typically, females will stop biting when they're full and rest for a couple of days before laying their eggs. Some mosquitoes lay their eggs on water, while others prefer to lay them on the soil. Some female mosquitoes will lay their eggs one at a time, like Culex mosquitoes. The eggs stick together to form a raft of between 100 and 300 eggs at a time. The raft floats above the water line if the eggs are in water. The larvae then hatch from the eggs. During this time, the larvae shed their skins several times. From there, the larvae become pupae and then move on to adult mosquitoes. During the pupa stage, the mosquito cannot bite as they don't have the proper mouthparts yet to feed. It's important to understand the life cycle of a mosquito because it can inform when best to kill them. Pest control companies, like Ensec, use their knowledge of this pest's life cycle to develop plans for mosquito control.
The Dangers Of Mosquitoes Breeding On Your Property
Mosquitoes can become a real nuisance to have on your property. If there are many mosquitoes, it might be difficult to be outside without getting bitten, which can prevent you from getting yard work done or simply just sitting outside on a nice day. Depending on your sensitivity, mosquito bites are very itchy and can even develop into large welts when scratched often. In addition to the uncomfortable feeling of being bitten, mosquitoes can also transfer diseases to you and your loved ones. Mosquitoes transmit diseases from one host to another. For instance, if a mosquito feeds off a host with a disease, it will transmit those pathogens to the next host it decides to bite.
Here is a list of diseases caused by mosquitoes:
- West Nile Virus
- Dengue Fever
- Tularemia
- Encephalitis
- Malaria
These diseases can cause sickness, including fever, and can sometimes even have a fatal outcome.
Remove Factors That Attract Mosquitoes To Your Yard
If you have a mosquito problem, the first thing you should do is remove any factors that might attract them to your yard. Think about what most mosquitoes need to lay their eggs — water. Removing any areas with standing water should be your top priority and includes removing water from pool covers, empty flower pots, kiddie pools, and anything else lying around your yard that collects water. If you happen to have a bird bath, you don't necessarily need to remove it, but regularly changing the water will help keep mosquitoes at bay. To prevent bites from occurring, wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when you're outside during evening hours, which is when mosquitoes like to come out the most. Using mosquito repellents on your body and around your yard, such as candles that keep mosquitoes away, and other ways to repel mosquitoes will also help keep them at bay.
How Do I Get Rid Of Mosquitoes And Keep Them Away?
If you've removed the standing water around your home and you're still experiencing an abundance of mosquitoes, they may be breeding on your neighbor's property. The best way to control mosquitoes and keep them away for good is to hire a professional pest control company. At EnSec, we understand how the mosquito life cycle works and implement detailed plans to control them on your property. If you're facing a mosquito infestation, don't continue to suffer; call EnSec today, and we'll be happy to rid you of your problem.