Mosquitoes: Learn More About These Mighty Pests

Mosquitoes: Learn More About These Mighty Pests

Mosquitoes are a common nuisance in the warm weather months in Wake County. More than just a nuisance, they are incredibly dangerous – more than most people realize. Mosquitoes are responsible for the deaths of over 1 million people each year, making it the world’s deadliest animal. 

To help you keep yourself and your family safe, our mosquito control company in Garner is sharing some facts about mosquitoes as well as simple steps to avoid bites and prevent swarms around your home. 

Myths and Facts About Mosquitoes

Because knowing is half the battle against mosquitoes, first, we wanted to provide some facts about how these insects live, feed, and reproduce. This will come in handy when it comes to prevention and avoidance.

The Female of the Species

Only female mosquitoes bite. While both males and females consume fruit and plant nectars, females need the proteins found in blood in order to sustain and support egg development. 

Know Your Enemy

Mosquitoes in North Carolina are fairly small. The large, inch-long insects that look like mosquitoes, often hanging out on the sides of buildings, are more likely to be crane flies. They look imposing, but they’re actually harmless. The mosquitoes we have to worry about, especially in and around Wake County are:

• Northern House Mosquitoes – the most common breed in the state is ¼” long and light brown in color, frequently not coming out until dusk and are dormant during the day. 
• Asian Tiger Mosquitoes – black with silver-white markings, these are even smaller at ⅛” long and are active more at night.

They Require Water

Females have to lay eggs in water, typically stagnant water like rain barrels, bird baths, and ponds, rather than rivers or streams. Laying up to 300 eggs at once, females often lay eggs two or three times in their lives, so each mosquito can produce 900 offspring. Once hatched, mosquitoes spend the first 10 days of their lives in water before leaving to find food and mating. 

Spreading Disease

The most important thing to know about mosquitoes is why they are so dangerous. With each person they bite, they can pick up parasites or viruses, so when they bite another individual, they can transmit those pathogens, viruses, and parasites to another person. Mosquitoes carry the following diseases: 

• Malaria
• Dengue fever
• Encephalitis (specifically Eastern equine encephalitis and La Crosse encephalitis)
• Zika virus
• West Nile virus
• Chikungunya virus
• Yellow fever
• Meningitis

In North Carolina, it’s important to be especially careful of West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis, and La Crosse encephalitis, especially because these arboviral diseases can lead to meningitis and other fatal illness.

Avoiding Mosquito Bites

• Avoid spending time outdoors in the later evening and early morning hours when mosquitoes are active.
• Wear long pants and long sleeves, especially if you’re around water like a pond.
• Use a mosquito repellent – look for DEET or, if you prefer a natural option, use something containing lemon eucalyptus oils and citronella oils. 
• Don’t use sweet-smelling lotions, sunscreens, or perfumes – mosquitoes will be drawn to the scent. 
• Burn citronella candles if you’re outdoors
• Where light, neutral colors – mosquitoes are drawn to dark clothes while bright, vibrant shades draw stinging insects. 

Preventing Mosquitoes

Instead of taking short-term steps each time you go outside, reclaim your outdoor spaces, and stay safe, we believe in taking preventative measures to keep mosquitoes away in the first place.

• Eliminate standing water such as rain barrels, bird baths, and cover kiddie pools when not in use. 
• Clean up damp leaves and cut grass that can hold dew and rain, and other lawn debris.
• Plant natural mosquito repellents, such as citronella plants, lemongrass, peppermint, and sage around your home.
• Up cycle your coffee grounds. If you have standing water areas that you can’t eliminate, like low spots in your yard, sprinkle coffee grounds in them. Larvae can’t grow in that water, so you’re preventing more mosquitoes from taking over.

Naturally, the best step you can take is to have a professional mosquito control company come out and spray around your home. This will not only kill living insects, it will also stop any eggs from hatching, while creating a barrier around your home that mosquitoes in the future will want to avoid. 

Contact Us for Mosquito Control

For effective, affordable mosquito control in Garner, NC, reach out to Kumo Pest Control. With affordable monthly plans and flexible scheduling, we’re there when you need us to keep you and your family safe! Call or text us today at  919-628-0833 or fill out our contact form to schedule service.