What is something that always causes you to take your eyes off the road while you are driving? Some people’s eyes drift to passing stores; others can’t help but look at scenic views. There is something that attracts everyone. Mosquitoes are no different. As these needle-nosed pests fly about, certain things attract them to attack.
If mosquitoes always seem to target you while you are outside, you might just be doing or wearing something that makes them like you more. If you're struggling with mosquitoes in your yard, here are a few things you should know to help minimize your exposure to mosquitoes in San Antonio.
Problems Mosquitoes Cause
Despite their small size, mosquitoes are statistically the most dangerous creature on the planet. Each year these tiny pests single-handedly contribute to over a million deaths worldwide. They do this by spreading dangerous diseases. Similarly, a contaminated needle can spread blood-borne diseases, so can a mosquito’s needle nose. If a mosquito bites someone with malaria, everyone they bite afterward runs the risk of also getting sick. Out of every 700 people that are infected with a mosquito-borne illness, one dies.
Before you get too scared, we should mention that mosquito-related deaths are much rarer here in the United States. Due to our advanced medicine and easy access to health care services, mosquitoes spread diseases that can be quickly identified and treated; this is not the case in many foreign countries where mosquito-related deaths are higher.
How To Stop Mosquitoes From Biting You
There are many things people unknowingly do that attract mosquitoes. For instance, if you wear darker colored clothing, mosquitoes will be able to see you easier. If you exercise outside in mosquito-dense areas, mosquitoes will smell the carbon dioxide you release when you breathe, drawing them to you. Even something as simple as going out during dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active can lead to several itchy bites.
Of course, there are also things you cannot control that attract mosquitoes, such as your blood type. Studies have shown that mosquitoes prefer O type blood and can identify individuals with it from a good distance away. However, there are other things you can change to minimize your exposure to mosquitoes when outdoors: wear lighter colored clothing, use a bug spray, and avoid going outside during dusk or dawn. We also suggest avoiding mosquito-dense areas such as swamps and marshes.
How To Keep Mosquitoes Off Your Property
If mosquitoes are breeding on your property, you will have a higher chance of being bitten. Try these simple prevention tips to reduce mosquito populations around your yard and deter mosquitoes from biting you when you are out and about:
- Eliminate sources of standing water around your property
- Change the water in birdbaths and ornate pools every four days
- Reduce opportunities for water build-up by clearing debris, picking up clutter, and overturning containers
- If you have a pond, consider investing in mosquitofish
- Install fans around outdoor lounging areas; mosquitoes are notoriously bad flyers
- Invest in high-quality mosquito control services for your property
No matter what you do to cull mosquito populations on your property, you are unlikely to see any change if your neighbors do not take the same steps. The only way to ensure mosquitoes stay away from your property is with ongoing mosquito control services. At White Knight Pest Control, we offer advanced prevention services for mosquitoes.
With ongoing mosquito control treatments, your property will fight mosquitoes for you. If you want to protect a venue for a wedding or outdoor gathering from mosquitoes, we also offer a one-time service visit guaranteed to repel mosquitoes for over a month. Give us a call or reach out through our website today to discuss our services or get a quote for your San Antonio property.