Mosquitoes and ticks are two different pests, but they have a lot in common, even though they are from different families in the animal kingdom. They both subsist on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The primary risk caused by each pest is its ability to transmit illnesses that can be life-altering or fatal.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of these similarities in more detail. We’ll also talk about how you can keep yourself and your family safe from the threats these pests present. Once you know some useful prevention techniques, we’ll discuss how our team at Big Blue Bug Solutions can help you with tick and mosquito control in Maine.
Mosquitoes And Ticks Are External Parasites
The first characteristic that these two pests share is that they are both external parasites. A parasite is an organism that relies on another organism to live and negatively affects another organism. Mosquitoes in Maine are fly-like insects known for their propensity to feed on human blood. Only female mosquitoes consume blood, which is essential for their reproductive process. Male mosquitoes instead feed on nectar. Mosquitoes in Maine are typically gray with scales that can be white, silver, blue, or green. They have six long legs and a long proboscis and aren’t usually more than 3/8 of an inch long.
Ticks are arachnids, not insects. They have eight legs and a flat, broad body. They need blood meals to continue growing and progress through their life cycle. Two of the most common types of ticks found in Maine are the blacklegged tick, which is orangish-brown with dark legs and about 1/8 of an inch long, and the American dog tick, which is brown with white or gray markings and about 3/16 of an inch long. Next, we’ll talk about some diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks.
Ticks And Mosquitoes Both Transmit Dangerous Diseases
Another trait that these two pests share is their tendency to carry dangerous diseases. The list of diseases caused by mosquitoes includes encephalitis, dengue fever, West Nile virus, Zika virus, and even malaria, though cases of it are rare in the United States. Ticks are best known for carrying Lyme disease, which attacks the joints, heart, and nervous system if not treated quickly. They also carry a number of other diseases, however, including anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tick paralysis.
Helpful Tips To Prevent Mosquitoes And Ticks Around Your Property
Now that you’ve learned about some of the dangers mosquitoes and ticks cause, let’s talk about how to prevent them from getting a foothold in your yard. Here are a few tips:
- Wear an insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Eliminate any source of standing water on your property.
- Wear light-colored clothing that covers your whole body.
- Get rid of debris in the yard.
- Make sure to seal your garbage cans tightly.
These natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes and ticks should help you keep your property safe from these pests. If you need help dealing with either of these parasitic pests, you can always call Big Blue Bug Solutions.
Contact Us For Complete Mosquito And Tick Control
For more than 80 years, Big Blue Bug Solutions has assisted homeowners across New England with pests of all kinds. If you’re looking for professional mosquito and tick exterminators in Maine, look no further. We are fully licensed and insured, and our highly trained technicians are ready to provide discreet, safe, high-quality pest control solutions that are tailor-made for you. Contact Big Blue Bug Solutions today to learn more.