Disease carrying mosquitoes have been biting humans for centuries. The viruses they carry can cause severe illness or even worse death.
Today, the latest plague they bring is the Zika virus. Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Read more about Zika from the CDC Here.
The most common virus spread by mosquitoes in the United States is West Nile Virus. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Here is what the CDC has to say about West Nile Virus.
Mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans and they can also transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs and horses are very susceptible too. For example, Heart Worm Disease in dogs, Eastern Equine Encephalitis in horses. In humans, bites from mosquitoes can also cause severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction that is caused from their saliva. This is what causes the red bump and itching. Keep reading to learn how Honor Services can help Protect your family from Mosquitoes.
Did you know?
- Only female mosquitoes “bite.” – Both males and females mainly feed on nectar from fruits and plants. But the female needs the protein found in blood to develop her eggs.
- Mosquitoes do not have teeth. – Females have what is called a proboscis. This is a long pointed mouthpart that is serrated in order to pierce the skin and locate a capillary to draw blood from one of two tubes.
- Females can drink up to 3 times their weight in blood. – Talk about a major blood sucker. Once she has had her fill, the female will rest for a few days before laying her eggs.
- Females can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. – The eggs are deposited into clusters called rafts on the surface of stagnant water. Eggs can hatch in as little as an inch of standing water. Females can lay eggs up to 3 times before they die.
- Mosquitoes spend their first 10 days in water. – Water is vital for the eggs to hatch into larvae. Larvae feed on organic matter in stagnant water and breathe oxygen from the surface. They develop into pupae, which do not feed and are partially encased in cocoons. Over the next several days, the pupae change into adults.
- Average lifespan of a mosquito is less than 2 months. – Males have the shortest lifespan of about 10 days or less. Females can live about 6 to 8 weeks under ideal circumstances. This means she can produce almost 1,000 babies in her short lifetime.
- Sweat helps them choose their victims. – Human skin produces more than 340 chemical odors, and to mosquitoes this is a filet mignon dinner at a fancy restaurant. It’s the chemical released in sweat called octenol. Mosquitoes also love folic acid, certain bacteria, skin lotions, and perfume.
- Body heat marks their target. – Mosquitoes have heat sensors around their mouthparts to detect the warmth in your body – actually the blood inside it – so they can land on you and feast.
- They feed night and day. – Some species of mosquitoes, like the Aedes are daytime feeders, while others start biting at dusk and continue a few hours into the dark.
- Mosquito is Spanish for “little fly.” – The word originates from the early 16th century. In Australia and other countries they are often called “Mozzies.”
Mosquitoes obviously did not get the memo on social distancing.
So, how do you protect your family from their bite?
There are a few options out there to help keep those disease carrying mosquitos off humans and our furry family members. Some of these options however, may not be safe or effective.
Fogging – A common but only moderately effective method as it only kills adults and does not help with reducing the number of larvae. Technicians wear a backpack-like device to treat foliage around a home or structure.
Pesticides used in fogging are neurotoxins and have also been linked to adverse effects in humans. Fogging also kills indiscriminately. Meaning, in addition to the bug you are trying to get rid of it also kills beneficial insects including bees, aquatic life and small mammals including cats. It is also toxic to birds such as mallards.
Removing Their Habitat – Another effective way to control mosquitoes is to find and eliminate their larval habitat. Eliminating large larval sites (source reduction) such as tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused swimming pools and other containers that hold and collect water is a great way to reduce mosquito and larvae population.
Honor’s Pest Professionals can help mosquitoes keep their social distance!
An effective alternative – Recently, research has proven that larviciding defined as killing mosquito larvae and pupae before they can grow into biting adults is the most effective way to eliminate the population in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
Honor Services uses this method to virtually eliminate the mosquito population around your home. Our system targets female mosquitoes and their larvae by infecting them with a fungicide when they visit our traps to lay eggs. Females then disseminate the larvicide to every subsequent body of water she visits, infecting each body of water and the larvae it contains before she dies.
This method of mosquito control is approved by the EPA and The World Health Organization, it is also safe for Bees, Butterflies, Pets and Humans!
No more fogging or dangerous chemicals that can pose harm to you, your pets or the environment. Our fast acting traps are placed around your home in areas mosquitoes would find attractive. Our pest pro’s add the special fungicide monthly and you get to enjoy the use of your yard with your family worry free! Most of us are spending more time at home these days so now is the perfect time to get started!
To learn more about our mosquito, termite or general household pest services, or to schedule a no obligation consult from one of our pest pros, email us a pestpros@honorservices.com or call.
