Mosquito Identification & Prevention

Mosquitoes belong to the family Culicidae and are a species of small flies. There are many different types of mosquitoes, though only a handful of species are commonly responsible for the infestation problems humans encounter. All mosquitoes appear similar, with a small segmented body, a pair of wings, three pairs of legs, and elongated mouthparts for feeding.

Only female mosquitoes bite to drink blood, and despite the nuisance that mosquitoes cause humans, they are actually quite important when it comes to pollinating and keeping ecosystems running.

The main problem with mosquitoes is that these pests can easily spread bacteria and illnesses through their bites. Diseases carried by mosquitoes include serious illnesses like the Zika virus, West Nile virus, malaria, and yellow fever, and bites can also trigger allergic reactions in certain individuals.

You should note that not every single mosquito carries a disease, but most mosquitoes will bite humans, and the more bites you receive or, the larger the infestation you are dealing with, the higher your chances for severe health consequences.

In most cases, mosquito problems occur when your property has factors that attract these pests on display. Mosquitoes love standing water to lay their eggs in, shady and moist areas to hide out in, and overgrown grass or foliage. You can evaluate your property for these factors and take steps to reduce or remove them as part of a plan to get rid of mosquitoes. Don't hesitate to contact Pest OPS if you need further advice.

Mosquitoes will typically hide around shady, secluded, and moist areas. You can expect to see them buzzing around near long grass, pools of standing water, and fallen trees or piles of branches and leaves. Indoors, mosquitoes will likely linger near plants to hide or humans as they attempt to feed.

Getting rid of mosquitoes can seem like a difficult task, but it doesn't have to be. Our team at Pest OPS is ready to help you identify your main mosquito problem areas as part of our in-depth property inspection. We use the information to help craft effective treatment plans to eradicate these pests and keep them off your property for good. Contact us today to learn more.

The following are some natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes and make your property less hospitable to them:

• Remove areas of standing water around your property; be thorough, as it only takes a few inches of still water for a mosquito to lay its eggs.
• Cut back long grass and overgrown foliage and remove outdoor debris such as fallen leaves and branches to reduce mosquito harborage areas.
• Address moisture issues and leaks that lead to humid conditions in interior and exterior areas, as well as pools of excess water.
• Make sure windows and doors around your property are covered with screens to ensure mosquitoes stay outside.
• Treat any water features on your property with an animal-safe larvicide to ensure mosquitoes don't lay eggs there.

Contact Pest OPS today for more mosquito control advice and prevention solutions.