As much as mosquitoes are annoying to have hovering around your yard, they are indeed essential to our environment. However, that doesn’t mean we live in harmony together.
Did you know that all mosquitoes are not created equally? In fact, certain species of mosquitoes are way more dangerous than others simply because of the diseases they spread. And in The Woodlands area, nearly 50 different species have been identified, putting area residents at risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
To protect your home and family from these blood-feeding pests, get in touch with professionals to provide pest control In The Woodlands for safe and effective treatments.
The Life Cycle Of Mosquitoes
Just as we all have a life cycle, so do bugs, including mosquitoes. The life cycle of a mosquito takes place in four stages. Let’s take a closer look.
- Eggs: After a blood meal, the female mosquito will lay its eggs on the walls of areas with standing water (usually about 100 eggs), and they stick to these walls like glue. These eggs typically take around 24 to 72 hours to hatch but are very strong and can survive for eight months without drying out.
- Larvae: It’s not until the water level rises and completely covers the eggs that they will hatch and go through three molts.
- Pupa: Once larvae have completed their third molt, they become pupae and develop as pupae until their new adult mosquito body emerges from their pupal skin.
- Adulthood: The same process repeats itself. Male mosquitoes go and feed on the nectar of plants, and female mosquitoes will search for their blood meals to start their egg-laying process.
The life cycle of mosquitoes is quite different from other insects, but the fascinating thing about this particular life cycle is that it only takes about 8-10 days, from egg to adulthood!
The Dangerous Diseases Mosquito Bites Can Spread
Different species of mosquitoes are vectors for different diseases. With The Woodlands hosting nearly 50 species, you’re at a much higher risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness without proper mosquito control and prevention efforts.
Here’s a list of diseases caused by mosquitoes:
- Dengue Fever
- Malaria
- Zika Virus
- Chikungunya
- Yellow Fever
- West Nile Virus
All these diseases range from mild to severe, and some can even be fatal if not treated immediately. And in case you’re wondering if mosquitoes can transmit HIV, the answer is no. The digestive system of mosquitoes is very unique and complex. If a mosquito bites an HIV-infected person, their blood is treated like food and digested like regular blood meals.
Six Eco-Friendly Mosquito Bite Prevention Tips
As the weather gets warmer and warmer, it’s getting closer to when our blood-feeding creatures make their appearance in our yards. The coming of mosquitoes is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for it. Here are six eco-friendly ways to prevent mosquito bites:
- Wear protective clothing when out in nature.
- Eliminate standing water in your yard.
- Plant mosquito-repellent plants in your yard (citronella, sage, lemongrass).
- Keep grass cut.
- Pull weeds and reduce vegetation.
- Keep gutters clean.
All of these tips are great ways to reduce your chances of getting mosquito bites, but of course, the best way to kill mosquitoes and eliminate your chances of getting bit is with professional mosquito control.
The Best Way To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Yard
Attempting mosquito control on your own can be very difficult, especially at the rate that female mosquitoes lay eggs. Sure, there are at-home treatments you can use, but in order to completely rid your property of a mosquito infestation, you have to know exactly where all the breeding grounds are.
Here at All-Safe Pest & Termite, we know exactly where mosquitoes like to hide and will go directly to those areas in your yard to treat them. For complete mosquito control, we guarantee our services and back them 100%. Give us a call to set up your inspection.