The Life Cycle Of A Mosquito
Mosquitoes are more likely to infest areas such as swamps, wetlands, and marshes. They may also be attracted to areas with lots of excess moisture or standing water. That’s because this is where they lay their eggs. In order to keep mosquitoes away, you have to understand what attracts them to your yard in the first place.
Every mosquito begins life as an egg. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in a source of standing water. These eggs will float in the water like a small raft until they hatch into larvae, usually in two days or less. The larvae tend to feed on small aquatic organisms and bits of organic material for about seven to ten days until they are ready to become pupae. Pupae closely resemble adult mosquitoes, but it takes a little time for their wings and legs to dry out so that they can leave the water as fully grown adults.
Once they have left the pupal stage and are ready to fly, female mosquitoes will seek out an animal or human to feed on. They will then search for male mosquitoes to begin the breeding process. After this, they will lay more eggs, starting the process all over again. Female mosquitoes can lay more than 100 eggs at one time. Male mosquitoes don’t actually feed on people; instead, they consume nectar from flowers. Now that you know the essential facts about the mosquito life cycle, let’s talk about the diseases you can get from mosquitoes in McAllen.
How Mosquito Bites Spread Dangerous Diseases
When a mosquito bites an animal or a human, it injects its saliva into the bite. Mosquito saliva is an anticoagulant, meaning that it prevents the blood from clotting so the mosquito can consume as much as possible before the host notices their presence. This also causes itchy red bumps after the mosquito leaves. This process can also transfer diseases to the host.
Mosquitoes are one of the most common carriers of malaria, which fortunately has not been a major problem in the United States since the 1940s. Some of the diseases that mosquitoes carry today include West Nile virus, Zika virus, and encephalitis. These diseases are often difficult to treat, so it’s important that you prevent mosquitoes from getting a foothold on your property. In the next section, we’ll talk about some things that repel mosquitoes.
Five No-Nonsense Mosquito Prevention Tips
While many of the diseases listed above are uncommon, mosquitoes can still ruin a good summer day if you don’t keep them in check. It’s vital that you know how to keep mosquitoes out of your yard, so here are five simple tips that should help:
- Get rid of any standing water on your property, such as buckets, birdbaths, and gutters.
- Wear light-colored clothing when you go outside.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when possible.
- Use an EPA-approved insect repellent, usually containing DEET or another similar ingredient.
- Set up small fans at outdoor gatherings to keep mosquitoes away.
Following these steps should help you ensure that your yard is safe from mosquitoes. If you need help getting rid of a mosquito infestation, you should call a professional McAllen home pest control company like BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control.
Pro Mosquito Control Offers The Best Protection For Your Yard
If you’re ready to get rid of mosquitoes for good, just call BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control and get started on our effective mosquito control services in McAllen. We’ve been serving the homeowners of the Rio Grande Valley for almost two decades, and our certified technicians are equipped with top-notch equipment to get their jobs done efficiently.
As local residents, we’re familiar with the struggles McAllen homeowners face, and we want you to experience the peace of mind that comes with a property free of pests. Contact BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control today for help with mosquitoes and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in McAllen.