Debunking Myths About Mosquitoes In Fort Worth

There are a lot of myths circling around about mosquitoes, much in the same way mosquitoes circle around you, looking for a place to land. If they get you, you're going to pay a price. Mosquito myths can make your mosquito control unnecessarily hard while understanding the facts about mosquitoes can provide you with ways to deter mosquitoes with all-natural solutions. If you're looking to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard, simple, all-natural methods are a great way to start. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we are committed to environmentally friendly pest control. We love helping you find solutions to effectively manage pests with the least amount of control materials. You'll find some great tips and ideas here. But keep in mind that we also offer all-natural mosquito solutions. Your All-Safe Pest & Termite team can install all-natural mosquito traps to prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your Fort Worth property. The traps we install contain a fungus that works to deal with the eggs and the female mosquitoes that lay them and is slow-acting so that the female mosquitoes have time to spread it around your property, treating other potential breeding sites. Would you like to learn more about this incredible mosquito trapping system or how you can get seasonal mosquito control in Fort Worth? Call or text us for the specifics. We're here to help.

Common Myths About Mosquitoes

We could write a book about mosquito myths. While an interesting read for sure, we'll keep things simple today. The following are myths that are directly associated with mosquito control. We're sure you've heard most of them, but some may surprise you. We'll pose them as questions. See if you can answer correctly.

Do mosquitoes feed on blood for nourishment?

Male and female mosquitoes do not depend on blood for nourishment. They draw nectar from flowers and suck the plant sap out of stems and leaves. Females require a blood meal in order to develop their eggs. Following a mosquito bite, that female will deposit 50 to 200 hundred eggs in nearby water.

Do all mosquitoes breed in stagnant water?

There are many mosquito species and many potential breeding sites. The mosquitoes associated with the worst mosquito-borne diseases use stagnant water for breeding. But other species may breed in damp conditions, such as moist vegetation, leaves, or soil.

Do candles, torches, or smoke keep mosquitoes away?

Mosquitoes in Fort Worth target humans in many ways, and these control methods mask one very important factor that will allow mosquitoes to find you. The carbon dioxide you exhale is an attractant. If you create a smoky environment, mosquitoes will have a harder time locking on you as a target. If the smoke has a repellent smell, you'll have even more protection. But there are two significant issues. It isn't good to inhale smoke or the materials in candles and torches, and female mosquitoes can still find you using other methods. For better results, you'll need to apply other repellent methods, such as lotion, bug repellent, nets, or protective clothing. 

Do mosquitoes go from yard to yard looking for someone to bite?

There is no definitive answer to this question because there are some species that do. The myth that requires debunking is that all mosquitoes do this when the truth is that most mosquitoes stay near their breeding site after they take to the air.

We covered a lot of ground here, but how do these questions relate specifically to mosquito control? When Fort Worth residents go looking for mosquito control solutions, they often ask the question, "What repels mosquitoes?" The question they should be asking is, "How do I prevent mosquitoes from breeding on my property?" When you reduce mosquito food sources and address moisture, you make your yard resistant to mosquito activity and lower your chances of having a female mosquito lay hundreds of eggs in your yard. If you're diligent, the mosquito population in your yard will decline. Is this a solution on its own? No. But it is a great place to begin.  

Just The Facts: The Truth About Mosquitoes In Fort Worth

In this section, we're going to focus on myths associated with mosquito bites and the diseases mosquitoes spread. Once again, we're going to present these myths as questions and see if you have the correct answers. Are you ready to test your mosquito knowledge?

Do all mosquitoes bite?

When mosquitoes fly around you in a large swarm, it can seem intimidating if you think all those mosquitoes are hungry and hoping to bite you, but only the female mosquitoes bite. The males are there for the purpose of mating. Along with this, there are some mosquito species that have a preference for animals and rarely bite people. 

Do all mosquitoes spread viruses?

There are many mosquito species, and each is a bit different. Certain species are only capable of spreading certain diseases, and some species do not spread diseases to humans at all. But that doesn't mean they won't bite you or cause discomfort by leaving itchy wounds on your skin, and it's impossible to tell which mosquitoes are carrying diseases. 

Do mosquitoes bite some people more than others?

Some people notice that they get more bites than the average person, and others notice that mosquitoes don't bother them. Is this true? Yes. Mosquitoes will target some people more than others for several reasons, such as body odor, higher skin temperature, certain acids in sweat, and even the scent of certain bacteria on the skin. Studies also show that drinking just one beer will increase your ability to attract mosquitoes.

Do mosquitoes prefer certain blood types? 

Mosquitoes do, in fact, have blood type preferences. In general, they prefer type O blood, but some species have other blood preferences. In studies, it was found that people with type O blood were bitten twice as often as people with type A blood. So, if you're type O, you aren't just a universal donor for humans. Sorry.

How do these facts help you with your battle against mosquitoes? They provide the data to determine how much protection you need. Now, let's take a look at what works to help you avoid mosquito bites. 

Real Tips For Mosquito Control That Work

There is no way to rid your yard of mosquitoes completely. But you can make it feel like there are no mosquitoes in your yard if you apply layered protection. Here are some real tips that work. We'll build on the facts we've shared so far.

• Apply weed control in your yard to reduce the number of plants that might provide nectar and sap for mosquitoes.
• Keep your grass trimmed to reduce moist hiding places.
• Remove organic debris, such as leaves, sticks, and stacked wood, which provide mosquitoes with shelter from the wind and potential breeding sites when damp.
• Prevent damp conditions that persist longer than a week and a half.
• Clean your gutters, fix leaks, and trim your landscape vegetation to reduce moisture.
• Remove objects in your yard that capture rainwater. Keep in mind that mosquitoes only need an inch of water for breeding.

Methods like these work to deter mosquitoes from breeding on your property and reduce mosquito activity by lowering the population. For direct control of mosquito populations, speak to a licensed professional about seasonal mosquito treatments to address adult mosquitoes, larvicide to address breeding sites, and traps for mosquito mitigation. If you're in Fort Worth, reach out to All-Safe Pest & Termite to discuss these options.

The Unfortunate Truth About DIY Mosquito Control

We've discussed, at length, what mosquitoes are attracted to and used the data to explain how all-natural mosquito control works. We've also discussed some of the pitfalls of using repellents to keep mosquitoes from biting you. But what happens when you don't get complete control of mosquitoes on your property? How much of a concern are mosquitoes?

• Mosquitoes will bite you, and the bites they leave on your skin will cause discomfort.
• The mosquitoes that spread diseases can cause flu-like symptoms and cause you to stay home from work or school.
• Some endemic viruses, such as West Nile virus and EEE, are very rare but potentially deadly.
• Diseases that are not localized are a threat during outbreaks. While you may watch the news for outbreaks of malaria, yellow fever, Zika virus, and more, it is comforting to know that your yard is working to prevent mosquitoes from biting you.

Mosquitoes are generally unpleasant pests, and while the risk of serious illness is incredibly low, why take the risk, particularly when you can get mosquito control services tucked right into a year-round pest control service plan that keeps all pests out of your home and reduces pest activity in your yard?

We hope you've found this article helpful and informative. If you have further questions regarding professional mosquito control in Fort Worth, use our contact page to connect with us. Our staff and pest management professionals look forward to helping you find your answers. You don't have to live with unpleasant mosquitoes in your yard. Get relief starting today.