It’s no secret that mosquitoes are annoying. After all, they swarm in seemingly endless numbers, they buzz incessantly around your head and face, and they bite, which can leave itchy red welts on your skin. However, did you know that mosquitoes aren’t just annoying? They can be dangerous, too. Therefore, you need to know the steps you can take to make yourself and your property less appealing to mosquitoes. Furthermore, should mosquitoes become too big a problem around your home, you need to know the effective mosquito control solutions that you can count on to lower their populations.
Do Mosquitoes Prefer To Bite Some More Than Others?
Mosquitoes are fly-like insects with thin bodies, six slender legs, and tube-like mouthparts that they use to feed. Only female mosquitoes bite so they can obtain the enzyme needed in blood to produce viable eggs. Male mosquitoes prefer nectar, tree sap, and other sweet substances.
No one is immune to mosquito bites, but they do prefer some people over others. People more susceptible to mosquito bites include:
- Pregnant women
- People who have been drinking
- People wearing dark-colored clothing
- People with type-O blood
In addition to preferring some people over others, they also prefer some properties over others. For example, mosquitoes require standing water to lay their eggs. Therefore, properties with areas of standing water are much more likely to be home to mosquitoes than those without standing water on them.
Threats Posed By Mosquitoes
As mosquitoes feed on blood, they can spread many harmful blood-borne illnesses. In fact, they are one of the most dangerous insects on the planet. While many of these illnesses are more prevalent in developing countries, mosquitoes have transmitted them here in the United States as well. Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of mosquitoes no matter where you live. Diseases that mosquitoes can spread include:
- Malaria
- West Nile virus
- Zika virus
- Dengue
- Chagas disease
- Various types of encephalitis
How To Limit Your Exposure To Mosquitoes
Given the number of harmful diseases mosquitoes can transmit, it’s important to make both yourself and your property less susceptible to them by removing any factors that attract them.
To make yourself less attractive to mosquitoes:
- Wear light-colored clothing.
- Avoid spending time outdoors in the evening when mosquitoes are most active, usually at dusk and dawn.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when outside.
- Refrain from spending time outside after drinking alcohol.
To make your property less attractive to mosquitoes:
- Fill in low-lying areas or holes that might collect rainwater.
- Keep gutters free of debris to prevent pooling.
- Store containers that might collect rainwater upside down.
- Refrain from overwatering your lawn.
- Keep your yard well maintained at all times.
- Trim back any vegetation around your property.
By following these steps, you should be able to make both yourself and your property less appealing to mosquitoes, thus reducing your exposure to their bites.
The Most Effective Method Of Mosquito Control
If the mosquitoes around your property are a problem, contact the professionals here at Quell Pest Control. We know just how obnoxious and dangerous these pests can be. That’s why we offer mosquito control solutions for Queen Creek properties that you can count on to limit their populations. You don’t have to put up with mosquitoes keeping you away from your backyard. Give us a call today to get started with a mosquito control program that will work for you and your property.