There are not many things in this world that are more annoying than the persistent whiny hum of mosquitoes - unless it’s the itch they leave behind when they bite. Everyone knows this sound and the uncanny way mosquitoes seem to be able to zero in on a target and then disappear just before being swatted. But what else do you know about these slender, long-legged insects?
Did you know that a mosquito can drink up to three times its weight in blood? Or that mosquitoes feed on plant nectar and it is only the females that ingest blood which is needed to develop mosquito eggs? Would you have guessed that there are about 170 different kinds of mosquitoes in North America alone?
World’s Deadliest Animals
Maybe you know more about mosquitoes than the average New Englander, but did you know they are the most dangerous animals on the planet, even surpassing humans in their fatality records? Mosquito bites may seem like a temporary nuisance that you have to put up with for a few days until the itching subsides, but the truth is bites from these common insects can lead to much more complicated problems. Mosquitoes carry many dangerous illnesses that they spread through their bites, causing over a million deaths throughout the world each year. In the U.S. these diseases range from malaria, West Nile virus, and Zika virus to dengue, yellow fever, and more. There is a range of severity and symptoms to these illnesses, some will cause only mild symptoms while others are much more serious and can even lead to death.
Mosquito Attractants
Maybe you thought it was a myth that pregnant women were more often the targets of mosquitoes, but it’s a fact. Also highly targeted are people with type O blood, those who have been exercising or drinking beer, and people wearing dark colors.
Mosquito Repellant
While some things such as blood type and body heat may be out of our control, there are some factors we can use to our advantage in controlling our exposure to mosquitoes. First and foremost is our proximity to water. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and are attracted to areas that provide it. The first step in controlling mosquito populations is to limit standing water on your property. This can be done by ensuring your property has adequate drainage, removing items that hold water after rain, and maintaining pools and other water features. These persistent pests need only a bottle cap’s worth of water to reproduce.
Even the best-maintained property is bound to have a continued presence of water. Other strategies for minimizing mosquito bites include avoiding being outside during their most active hours of dawn and dusk, wearing long pants and sleeves, using insect repellent when outside, and using screens on all open doors and windows.
The Best Protection
While there are lots of tricks and gimmicks for getting mosquitoes out of our hair, the best form of mosquito protection comes from contacting the professionals at Big Blue Bug Solutions. There are countless ways we can attract mosquitoes without even thinking about it, but getting rid of them takes a bit more expertise. Big Blue Bug Solutions has over 80 years of experience in helping Connecticut residents enjoy pest-free homes.
Our solutions will let you take back control of your Connecticut yard. Mosquito-control services include identifying areas that are harboring mosquitoes, reducing breeding areas, and larval and adult mosquito control. We can reduce mosquito populations by 90% all season long. Whether you need ongoing control for the season or one-time service for a big event, call today for your free inspection.