The Usual Suspects

The mosquito is actually a type of fly with a thin body, thin wings and long legs. The females are easily recognizable by the long proboscis, or mouthparts, extending from the bottom front of the head. Only the female mosquito bites; male mosquitoes feed on the nectar in flowers. When a mosquito bites, she injects an anti-coagulating agent into the skin to prevent blood from clotting and allowing her to feed. It is the body’s immune response to the anti-coagulant that causes the red welts and itching associated with mosquito bites. The mosquito not only takes human blood in order to provide nutrients to make eggs, but is can leave behind serious health threats such as viruses, protozoans, and other disease-causing pathogens. Mosquitoes breed in still, standing water, and mosquito outbreaks often occur when ditches, puddles or other low-lying areas fill up with water. Containers such as birdbaths, barrels, cans, clogged gutters and old tires that hold water for more than seven days can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Controlling Mosquito Larvae — For properties that have ditches, small ponds or decorative garden ponds, environmentally friendly mosquito larvicides can be applied to the water by a pest professional in areas where mosquitoes can breed.

 

• The insect growth regulator (IGR), methoprene, affects only insects, interfering with a mosquito larva’s ability to pupate into an adult. IGR products are generally applied about once every 30 days to help reduce mosquito populations.
• Bacterial mosquito control products that affect only mosquito larvae also can be used, but such products require specific timing in order to obtain maximum results.

Controlling Adult Mosquitoes — The best way to limit mosquitoes is to prevent adult mosquitoes from developing by eliminating or treating breeding sources. Because some adult mosquitoes are most likely always going to be present, treatments can be applied around a home to control as many as possible.

• A pest professional can apply residual products to shrubs and other vegetation around the home and yard. Since mosquitoes spend most of their time during the day resting in vegetation, such treatments can effectively reduce mosquito populations. Such treatments need to be periodically reapplied during the warm months when mosquitoes are active.
• Some of the mosquito traps available commercially do attract and capture large numbers of mosquitoes. Concern may exist that such traps may draw mosquitoes from adjacent properties, so locating the trap at the perimeter of the property is preferable to placing it next to the patio, deck, etc. where people are active.

Asian Tiger Mosquitoes – Asian tiger mosquitoes are about ½-inch in length and dark brown or black in color with white bands on the body and legs.