“Mosquitoes are the least of anyone’s worries,” said no one ever! Everyone can agree these pests are a nuisance. A single bite is enough to drive you to rid your them from your property entirely.
Learning how to prevent and control mosquitoes is one of the critical ways to keep your home safe. For this reason, we’ve shared 15 facts about mosquitoes, including their habits and effective mosquito control methods.
There are over 3000 mosquito species worldwide and at least 200 species in the U.S. Out of all these, three species are responsible for the deaths of more than one million people.
According to the centers for disease control and prevention, the West Nile virus is a common mosquito-borne illness in continental areas like Florida. Fortunately, no cases have been reported about the Zika virus in Florida since 2018.
Adult mosquitoes can live for almost six months. However, females usually live for about three weeks. Those that hibernate in your home during winter can live for nearly six months.
One surprising fact about mosquitoes is that only the female mosquitoes bite humans and animals. These species need this blood as it provides the nutrients necessary to lay eggs.
When feeding, the female mosquito uses a maxillary palp, an organ that detects CO2 and body temperature. In comparison, the male species lack this organ. Male mosquitoes are pollinators and, as a result, feed on flower nectar.
Now you are probably thinking, why is it so hard to swat one if mosquitoes are slow flyers? Well, mosquitoes are indeed slow-moving with a speed of about 1.2 miles per hour. Insects such as butterflies and honeybees are, in fact, faster.
However, similar to flies, mosquitoes have multifaceted eyes that give them a comprehensive view. A mosquito makes decisions more quickly than the average human.
Yes, you read that right! Before hitting the mosquito, a signal must travel from your brain to your hand to trigger the swatting motion. As for a mosquito, any sudden movement pushes an alert to its wing muscles in less than a nanosecond!
A joint study by UC Berkely and Wageningen University researchers found that mosquitoes can flap their wings about 600 times in a second, even after having a blood meal. According to this study, mosquitoes also have long legs that let them accelerate much faster than other insects that beat 200 times per second.
The buzzing sound you’ll hear when a mosquito is close to you comes from their wings beating. For a fact, the reason you’ll sense their buzz around your ear is because they fly close to your head, where you exhale the most carbon dioxide.
Mosquito larvae are aquatic, hence why mosquitoes need standing water to breed. Unfortunately, they don’t require a lot of it, and a few inches are enough for these insects to reproduce. Even the shallowest places that hold water, such as birdbaths and gutters, can facilitate breeding.
Surprisingly, some individuals are more susceptible to mosquito bites. Researchers have found two reasons that could explain this preference.
A study on blood meal size found that female mosquitoes rely on their abdominal receptors to determine their blood meal size. Without this signal, mosquitoes would feed until they burst.
When looking for mates, mosquitoes will synchronize their wings to match that of their potential mating partner.
Despite what you may believe, bug zappers don’t kill mosquitoes. Studies show these devices end up killing beneficial bugs, like moths. It all boils down to one reason. Bug zappers emit light and not CO2.
Several preventive measures can help to safeguard your yard and house from an invasion. These include:
Safe mosquito control methods exist. These include:
Insect repellents and mosquito sprays containing the chemical DEET and picaridin are effective and safe for keeping mosquitoes away.
While natural and chemical repellents effectively control the mosquito populations, only a professional exterminator can eliminate your mosquito problem.
McDonald Pest Control understands how vital outdoor activities in your yard are to you and your family. Our team is knowledgeable and experienced in mosquito control and treatment services. Do not wait until there’s an invasion of your property. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
