As the seasons warm up, mosquitoes begin to swarm around areas of the yard with standing water and our favorite places to take walks with our pets. As much fun as it is to be active during the summer, mosquitoes also present a real health risk to those who are bitten. Some bites are mild, but others have more serious reactions.
For this reason, we recommend reaching out to the Wilmington pest control professionals at Jay Taylor Exterminating for a consultation if you suspect you have a mosquito problem. We’ve also put together an all-inclusive prevention and control guide below to help you spot mosquitoes at a glance, learn how to deal with prospective dangers and see how mosquito control in Wilmington can help.
Mosquito Or Not? How To Identify Them At A Glance
Adult mosquitoes are usually less than one inch in length and have slender bodies, long legs, and scaled wings. Immature mosquitoes range from 1/16 of an inch to half a inch in size depending on the age of the larvae. Mosquitoes can be a variety of colors, but are often light gray to black. Gnats and mosquitoes are sometimes mistaken for one another, but gnats are much smaller while mosquitoes are longer and more slender.
Mosquito Dangers: Understanding The Risks Of An Infestation
Mosquito bites show up on the skin as puffy, red circular lesions that are as small as a dime. Sometimes, they take a day to appear, and in some people, the swelling can grow beyond the size of a quarter.
Some people may be mildly allergic to mosquitoes. Others may experience more serious symptoms, such as bruising or a rash. Though rare, some people experience anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention, as the person has trouble breathing, among other symptoms.
Mosquitoes can also be the origin of disease transmission. Mosquitoes can transmit the following diseases:
- West Nile virus
- Dengue
- Tularemia
- Various types of encephalitis
- Chikungunya
- Heartworm (in dogs)
While some reactions to mosquito bites are mild (itchy), others are far more serious (anaphylaxis or a mosquito-borne disease).
The Key To Mosquito Control: Proactive Measures For Prevention
Mosquitoes need water to hatch their young, so the best way to keep mosquitoes away is to look for areas with standing or stagnant water and eliminate them. Pools, bird baths, or uneven areas of pavement are all areas where mosquitoes gather and breed. Limit pool access to when it is used. Relocate bird baths away from shady areas or too close to the home. Fill uneven areas of pavement or dirt so water doesn’t pool. Mosquitoes have even been known to use air conditioning unit drop pans, so address these areas of standing water as well to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard.
Avoid placing gathering areas in overly shady spots, as mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, and they like the shade. Fans, foggers, mosquito nets, and screens also are helpful porch deterrents.
You can also make use of essential oils to keep mosquitoes away. The CDC lists lemon eucalyptus as a viable mosquito repellent, suggesting that mixtures of up to 1/3 lemon eucalyptus are up to 95% effective for several hours. Some people also swear by catnip oil, lemongrass oil, and peppermint oils diluted with water. Using natural ways to repel mosquitoes can be a good way to keep mosquitoes away, but they will not prevent or eliminate an infestation.
Professional Mosquito Control: A Smart Idea For Wilmington Properties
Mosquitoes shouldn’t ruin your summer fun, but knowing that mosquitoes can also pose serious health risks to humans makes anyone want to stay inside. Reducing standing water around the home, and limiting your activity at dawn and dusk will go a long way to helping keep mosquitoes out of the yard. However, it’s always best to be sure you have the mosquito population under control with professional pest services.
For more than 70 years, the Wilmington pest control professionals at Jay Taylor Exterminating have successively eliminated multitudes of pests. We prioritize your peace of mind and safety when it comes to our services. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and to learn more about our residential pest control services in Wilmington.