Some pests have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. While there are over 3,500 different species of mosquito, many of them look much the same as they did all those years ago. That’s because parasitic pests like mosquitoes have always been there to feed off whatever larger animals roamed the Earth, thriving in virtually every corner of the globe. The only way to prevent these ancient pests is to learn everything you can about them, and here’s where you can learn all you need to know.
Mosquitoes 101: Some Interesting Facts
The word “mosquito” comes from the Spanish for “little fly;” though, don’t let the name fool you, some mosquitoes can grow quite large. They are considered some of the most dangerous pests in the world, not because their itchy bites are so uncomfortable, but because of the invisible diseases that they can transmit through them. But did you know that only female mosquitoes bite? It’s true, they require the nutrients found in blood to produce eggs. Males, on the other hand, feed on pollen the same way that bees or butterflies do. That’s right, even these nasty flying insects can act as pollinators that help plants reproduce. However, mosquitoes pose far larger health risks and are responsible for some of the worst outbreaks of disease in human history. That’s why every property owner should be taking steps to help communities reduce the spread of mosquito populations.
What To Really Know About Mosquitoes
Now, it’s not like every mosquito bite results in illness. You’ve probably been bitten by several in your life and never contracted any serious diseases as a result. Rather, it’s important to control mosquito populations early, before they can pick up the diseases that they can then easily spread from one bloodstream to the next. Here are some well-known diseases that mosquitoes carry:
- West Nile Virus: Just like the Zika virus scare of 2018 and 2019, the spread of the West Nile virus has been contributed to mosquitoes in several regions around the world.
- Ebola: Before Zika, the big mosquito-borne illness was ebola, which is an even scarier virus that causes bleeding and organ damage.
- Malaria: One of the oldest blood-borne diseases that humans have tried to clamp down on, malaria is a parasitic bacteria that attacks red blood cells.
Factors That Attract Mosquitoes To Your Property
The most important takeaway is that you should be doing everything in your power to reduce your risk of mosquitoes in and around your property. While the best and brightest course of action is to contact professionals, here are some factors that every property owner can address themselves:
- Landscaping: Every flying creature on the planet needs to land and rest from time to time, including mosquitoes. Reducing their landing pads by keeping grass from growing tall and plants from becoming overgrown will make your property less attractive to mosquitoes and other pests.
- Moisture: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in moist areas, so water features in yards or standing puddles of water attract them in droves. Limit standing water to limit your exposure to mosquitoes.
- Treatments: The best way to prevent all kinds of invasive pests from entering your yard is with routine sprays that ward off a wide range of pests, including mosquitoes. Contact your local pest control office to learn more.
The Best Protection From White Knight Pest Control
With bugs that fly and are specifically attracted to human skin, mosquito prevention is an incredibly difficult task. Trying to keep mosquitoes off your property all by yourself can result in a lot of wasted time and money when you could turn to the experts who can provide you with assistance. At White Knight Pest Control, our friendly technicians are eager to assist you, with early prevention or fast removal of existing pest populations. Let us schedule an inspection of your property right away, so we can help determine your level of risk for parasitic pests. We’ll help you formulate a control plan that matches your property and your budget, with more helpful tips for how to reduce the factors that attract harmful insects.
For true protection from biting mosquitoes, trust White Knight Pest Control.