Mosquitoes

What are mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are short-lived, fly-like insects. They are a significant pest problem throughout the United States and especially in the South, where the hot, humid weather allows these pests to thrive.

Mosquitoes are famous because of the bites they dish out to people and animals, but did you know that only the females bite? Males do not require a blood; they only live about one to two weeks and feed on plant juice and nectar. Females too feed on plant nectar and juice, but they also require the protein found in blood to lay eggs. Females live longer than males, about a month or so.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Mosquitoes make people’s lives miserable by delivering relentless bites that are itchy and unpleasant to deal with. Mosquitoes can ruin any outdoor activity. In addition to being one of the most annoying animals on the planet, they are also one of the most dangerous.

Mosquitoes feed on many different human and animal hosts. As they feed, mosquitoes can transmit many dangerous diseases that make people and our pets ill. In the U.S, some mosquitoes carry many serious diseases, including the following:

• Eastern equine encephalitis
• West Nile virus
• Parasitic heartworms (This affects dogs and cats and is a major concern in the southern United States.)

Why do I have a mosquito problem?

Yards, wooded areas, fields, ponds, lakes, and marshes are all places people run into biting mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can become a problem in almost any outdoor space. Hungry mosquitoes find their targets by sensing body heat, scents, movement, and the carbon dioxide we produce while breathing.

Mosquitoes like to live on properties offering plenty of standing water to use as breeding sites. They also are drawn to properties offering plenty of areas to rest during the extreme heat of the day. In order to escape the mid-day heat, many mosquitoes rest in tall grass, under trees, in brush piles or other debris, and under other structures like decks.

Where will I find mosquitoes?

You will find mosquitoes wherever there is standing water. Females lay their eggs in standing water, and the larvae develop into adults in standing water. The more standing water, the more mosquitoes there will be.

Many adults stay near the areas where they hatched, while others may travel several miles searching for food or standing water — their ability to travel is one reason these pests are so difficult to control and keep out of our yards.

If you have any of the following on or near your property, you will likely experience problems with mosquitoes:

• Marshes or swamps
• Low-lying areas
• Leaking pipes or clogged gutters
• Old tires and buckets
• Kids toys and wading pools
• Tarps
• Trash cans and recycling bins
• Tree stumps and yard debris
• Flower pots, buckets, birdbaths, and other containers collecting water

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

Limit mosquito numbers on your Alabama or Florida property with the help of the dedicated professionals at EnSec. Committed to the communities we serve, our pest professionals want to help you keep your family and friends safe from biting, disease-spreading mosquitoes.

Through targeted pest control solutions, we will significantly reduce the number of biting mosquitoes on your property, helping you to enjoy your outdoor space any time of day, any time of year! Get rid of mosquitoes the easy way; partner with EnSec. For more information about our mosquito control solutions, contact us today!

How can I prevent mosquitoes in the future?

Take steps to reduce the chances of mosquitoes becoming a problem on your Florida or Alabama property using some of our prevention tips. The easiest things you can do to guard your home against mosquitoes include:

• Keeping grass cut short and shrubs and bushes pruned.
• Get rid of any standing water from your yard.
• Become less appealing to mosquitoes by wearing mosquito repellent and lighter colored clothing.
• Make sure mosquitoes stay out of your home by keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible and make sure any that are open have tight-fitting screens.

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