If you live in the south, or any area with a high humidity rate, you know the mosquito. It often seems as though they are waiting at the door for you, waiting to feast on you. Whether it’s a festival day or a camping trip, it often feels as though there is no break from these little flying vampires other than during one of Georgia’s flash snowstorms.
With the recent confirmation that the zika virus causes microcephaly, we thought it would be a good time to talk about mosquitoes. While the best prevention is through proper pest control, there are things that can be done to lessen the number of mosquitoes on your property. But first, let’s cover some facts about mosquitoes that not everyone may know.
General Appearance
Scarily enough, there are more than 170 species of mosquitoes native to North America. The ones we are most exposed to are grey with white, silver, green or iridescent blue scales. They have six legs, antennae, and are roughly 1/4″ to 3/8″ long.
Habitats
Mosquitoes live in areas of high humidity and high moisture. They can breed in any form of stagnant water such as swamps, storm drains, pools, old tires and even if your pet’s water bowl. They have three stages before maturity: egg, larvae and pupae. Each stage requires a specific set of conditions before it can mature, with stagnant water essential in each one.
Diet
While it feels as though all mosquitoes are trying to give Dracula a run for his money in the summer time, only the females suck human blood. They detect their prey by body heat and carbon dioxide. The males, on the other hand, enjoy a diet of plant nectar.
Control & Prevention
The best way to determine mosquito prevention for your home or office is by your trusted pest control company. There are many factors to be evaluated in order to choose the most effective way to rid your area of mosquitoes, included whether to use larvicides or adulticides. If you’re worried about Zika or mosquitos in general, contact your trusted pest control company. If you don’t have one, check out our advertiser’s directory for ones in our area.