Mosquito Identification & Prevention (Culicidae)

What are mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes have two wings and six long and delicate legs. They have a straw-like “beak” called a proboscis. Females have a strong proboscis, which allows them to pierce the skin and take a blood meal, while males can only consume nectar and other sweet liquids as their proboscis is not as strong.

Although they consume blood, mosquitoes aren’t parasites. Only females take blood meals for reproduction, not their own nutritional purposes.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Mosquitoes are the most dangerous insects in the world due to the many dangerous diseases they transmit, such as chikungunya, West Nile virus, dengue fever, and Zika. They can also cause heartworms in dogs and spread many other pathogens.

Unfortunately, mosquitoes are an essential food source for many insects and animals, and they are needed to maintain a balanced ecosystem, so we can’t eradicate all mosquitoes.

Why do I have a mosquito problem?

Mosquitoes thrive on properties that provide shaded areas, standing water, and flowering plants. These resources can include overgrown lawns and gardens, birdbaths, pools, ponds, compost piles, clogged gutters, and more.

These pests only need a tiny amount of stagnant water to reproduce, so any property can provide breeding sites for mosquitoes. Homes close to ponds, lakes, marshes, and swamps are more susceptible to higher mosquito populations. The same goes for homes surrounded by wooded areas.

Where will I find mosquitoes?

Although mosquitoes thrive during the warmer summer months, they can’t survive long in direct sunlight because it dehydrates them quickly. Because of this, they will look for shady areas such as tall grass, thick foliage, and other similar places to hide during the daytime. These shaded areas also provide the small amounts of water mosquitoes need to reproduce.

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

We offer a seasonal subscription at Preferred Termite and Pest Control that provides monthly mosquito control services from March through September. During these services, we treat the yard, including landscaping and under decks, with a backpack gas mister.

We also offer one-time treatments for events like barbecues, weddings, and more. With our home pest control services, you will be able to enjoy your yard more, so call us at Preferred Termite and Pest Control to learn more and get started!

How can I prevent mosquitoes in the future?

For the best results in reducing mosquito populations on your property, you should continuously maintain your yard using the following tips:

• Keep gutters clear of debris.
• Empty all items with collected rainwater immediately. 
• Keep grass and foliage cut short.
• Don’t overwater plants.
• Reduce flowering plants or keep them further away from your home. 
• Properly treat ponds and water features, using filters where possible.

Call to learn more mosquito prevention tips from our experts at Preferred Termite and Pest Control, and don’t forget to ask about our seasonal mosquito control services in Salem County!