How can I Avoid Mosquitoes?
A Quick Guide to Prevent and Treat Mosquito Infestations
Mosquito season is coming!
And boy, after all of this confinement and restrictions, they are really looking forward to meet your acquaintance outdoors. So, lets not be rude and prepare for them, properly this time, shall we?
This article will become your best guide to avoid falling prey of one of the most deadliest animals there are, that’s right, mosquitoes are not insecure by their size but determined and resilient insects that have populated almost every corner of the earth with and outstanding amount of over 3000 thousands of species.
In the USA,we can find a diversity of 175 different species of mosquitoes. The State with the mosy variety of species is currently Texas, with 84. At the other side of the ranking is West Virginia with about 30 species.
Do all mosquitoes bite?
Most of them don't bite as they can sustain themselves out of a plant based diet, thats why the love L.A.’s restaurant culture. But some species’ females do need to feed on blood in order to produce eggs, that is also why they live longer; males usually live just to reproduce and die right after.
Do mosquitoes transmit diseases?
Yes, they are known to carry and transmit a variety of diseases to both human an other animals. Their ability to borne specific diseases will depend on the Mosquito Species.
What are the Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes?
There are a great number of diseases known to be transmitted or spread by mosquitoes. In the US these are the ones you should have in mind:
Encephalitis
It's an inflammation of the brain that can be caused by arboviruses, which are viruses carried by arthropods, such as mosquitoes and ticks. Mosquitoes can carry at least three and encephalitis viruses:
- Lacrosse Encephalitis is normally an infection of squirrels and chipmunks, and is transferred to humans by mosquito bite. It affects mainly children.
- St. Louis encephalitis is an infection of wild birds. And in humans affects mainly older adults. It also transmited via bite of an infected mosquito.
West Nile Virus
In 2001 was detected for the first time in Illinois, in birds and horses. Affects primarily older adults.
Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika
This are all similar viruses that cause high fevers and can leave long life repercusions to the person that suffers it. The primarily risk with dengue is that taking the wrong medication to lower fever or other symptoms can be mortal. Also, there are a few variation of Dengue and one of them is more aggressive and dangerous as it attacks changes the coagulation properties in the blood and leads to hemorrhages.
Yellow fever
Is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of South America and Africa. Today, yellow fever continues to appear in small outbreaks.
Heartworm disease
Is a disease that affects dogs of every species at any aged and is considered endemic in the contiguous USA, with highest prevalence in the southeastern USA. Is potentially deadly if not caught on time and it transmitted by a mosquito feeding of an infected dog and then biting a healthy one. The parasite will travel during the bite form the mosquito to the dog and quickly reproduce and settle in the arteria around the heart and the lungs of the dog. They can grow extremely long and collapse the heart eventually.
How can I prevent Mosquitoes from reproducing?
The best way to avoid mosquitoes from infesting your house is to cut their life cycle by eliminating all of stagnant water bodies in your property and to encourage everyone in your community to do as well.
Be on the lookout for:
- Uncovered pools and other manmade containers.
- Rain water accumulated inside tires or in between objects in your yard.
- Puddles
- Plants submerged in water on a open container.
Dump out standing water from pots, buckets, planters, etc and make sure to regularly change the water for your pets, including bird baths.
How Can I avoid Mosquito Bites?
- Plant citronella in your house or burn citronella candles. Is a natural repellent.
- Incorporate fans into your outdoor living areas like decks and patios. Airflow helps reduce and deter mosquitoes.
- Wear lighter colored clothing, whites, khaki, and other light colors are hard for mosquitoes to recognize, darker colors attract mosquitoes so wear lighter colored clothing when outdoors, it will help keep you cooler too.
- Wear loose fitting clothing. This makes it harder for mosquitoes to feed through.
- Use mosquito repellent if outdoors for extended periods of time.
- Implement a barrier treatment program from a professional pest control company.
What’s the best solution against Mosquitoes?
Ultimately, the best way to get rid of mosquitoes is to have a barrier treatments applied by professionals. This is because as careful as you might be around your house, mosquitoes can travel long distances depending on external factors such as the wind.
Our best recommendation on this matter is to obtain a Mosquito Treatment Program provided and applied by a professional. Ampest offers specific multi spray barrier treatment programs specifically for mosquitoes. And this year our seasonal program has better paying options and offers year round coverage. Call us or visit our website to find out more about the best option in the market.
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