Mosquitoes Suck!

They literally suck….your blood! As the months turn from June to July and beyond, the mosquito population grows and begins to render yards useless due to the constant annoyance of mosquito bites. That said, there’s hope! Learn how to take your yard back from mosquitoes by reading more below!

Why Do Mosquitoes Suck So Much?

Keep in mind that it’s only the female mosquito that needs blood in order to create eggs and continue the life cycle. The male mosquito feeds on pollen and is not a nuisance to you or your family. That said, because female mosquitoes need blood to complete their life cycle, they are out hunting humans and other animals during both day and night.  

Should I Be Concerned About Disease?

The short answer is that while mosquitoes here in the United States can transmit disease, it’s actually fairly uncommon when you take into account how many bites humans experience every single year. In 2020 according to statista.com and a paper published by John Elflein, there were about 2000 cases of mosquito-borne disease in the US. That said you should be aware that mosquitoes here in the US can transmit West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Zika, dengue, malaria, and more.  

Which Mosquitoes Should Be a Concern To Me?

While there are many different types of mosquitoes, the primary focus for homeowners should be the container breeding mosquitoes.  These mosquitoes commonly breed in standing water that is found in old tires, bird baths, different items that collect rain, and numerous other sources. By simply limiting the amount of standing water around your home you can positively impact the number of mosquitoes you observe around the yard. There are many other mosquito species that breed in ponds, lakes, salt water, and other habitats that are commonly controlled by local and state mosquito agencies.  If you are experiencing a large number of mosquitoes in your yard, you can always call your local agency and request help.

So What Can I Do to Win My Yard Back?

When container-breeding mosquitoes are waiting for a host to feed on they commonly stand upside-down on tree and bush leaves, decks and patios, and many other surfaces. When a host wanders into the vicinity of the mosquito, the mosquito senses its presence and begins searching for the host. Treating these areas where mosquitoes commonly wait for a host is a great way to manage mosquito populations in a yard. Suburban Pest Control offers a mosquito management program that will treat these areas and keep mosquito activity at a minimum. Research has shown that an application of pesticide every few weeks will reduce the number of mosquitoes feeding in a yard and thus improve the quality of life of those using the yard.