Mosquito Identification & Prevention

Mosquitoes are a type of fly that belongs to the scientific classification of Culicidae. They are small, notable for their thin waists, lightweight wings, six legs, and elongated mouthpieces. Both female and male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, and female mosquitoes are notorious for biting humans or animals; blood is necessary for many female mosquitoes to develop their eggs.

Mosquitoes are prolific, and infestations of this pest quickly grow in number with the right conditions around your property. It's important to get general pest control services as soon as possible to prevent this from happening.

Even though they're small, mosquitoes are a dangerous pest to have buzzing around your property. Mosquitoes pick up and spread bacteria and pathogens when they bite humans and animals. The more bites you receive from a mosquito, the higher your chances of contracting a severe illness. Diseases spread by mosquitoes include dengue, chikungunya, encephalitis, tularemia, and the West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes are generally attracted to properties where they can lay their eggs, rest comfortably, and find plenty of food. They need water to lay their eggs, so properties with lots of standing water or moist conditions are more likely to have mosquitoes. These insects are not strong fliers and often look for shady areas to rest throughout the day. If your lawn is overgrown, it may attract more mosquitoes. Mosquitoes feed on sweet-smelling plants, people, and pets. If these resources are around in abundance, you are more likely to attract hungry mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are most often found around overgrown, shaded, moist, and humid areas, as this is where they like to hide during the heat of the day. Areas of standing water act as mosquito breeding grounds and will generally have higher populations nearby. If you live near a pond or lake or have a pool or water features in your yard, you're likely to see more than your fair share of mosquitoes. There's not a lot you can do about natural features, but you can treat and cycle water in pools and bird baths to discourage these pests. If mosquitoes do invade interior areas, you may see them near windows and doors or buzzing around, looking for humans and animals to bite.

One of the best ways to keep mosquitoes away for good is professional mosquito control. Maple Leaf Lawn Care & Pest Control is here for your property's needs, and our service professionals are ready to do what it takes to eliminate mosquito infestations for good. With our help, you won't need to rely on less-than-effective DIY mosquito control – simply contact us today to learn about our effective mosquito and tick control solutions and get started with treatments for your property.

The following ways to repel mosquitoes make your property less hospitable to this pest and reduce your chances of a serious infestation.

• Eliminate all areas of standing water around your property. It's important to be thorough, as only a few inches of water are needed for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
• Add water filters that provide movement in water features such as birdbaths and treat larger water features with animal-safe larvicides to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in them.
• Address moisture issues around your property, both inside and out, to eliminate excess water and humid conditions.
• Cut back long grasses and overgrown foliage in addition to removing piles of debris or woodpiles from around your property.
• Install window and door screens, weather stripping, and door sweeps to keep mosquitoes out of interior spaces.
• Utilize mosquito repellents when possible as you spend time outdoors, or wear long-sleeved clothing to prevent bites.
• Plant citronella, lemongrass, or other plants that act as mosquito repellents.

Contact Maple Leaf Lawn Care & Pest Control today if you need turf management services or further advice on preventing this pest from invading your property.