The Truth About Mosquitoes
They are unfortunately fairly ubiquitous with summer in Waldorf, MD. Those itchy, annoying, red bites on our arms and legs. Mosquito bites can make doing outdoor activities especially challenging.
But, do you know all the facts about mosquitoes? The answer is, probably not. Knowledge is power when it comes to mosquito control. Knowing the information provided in the rest of this post will ensure your yard stays mosquito-free this spring and summer.
What are mosquitoes?
First of all, let’s look at the mosquito itself. A mosquito is a flying insect. If you want to get very specific, they are from the order Diptera and the family Culicidae. While you don’t have to remember that information, it is important to know that there are approximately 3,500 species of mosquito worldwide. Not all of these 3,500 live in Maryland, and not all transmit disease.
It is very hard to distinguish between mosquito species while they are flying around you. So, treat all mosquitoes with caution. You should not have a hard time determining that the flying insect is a mosquito.
All mosquitoes look similar. They are about ¼-3/8-inch long. They have a long, narrow body and skinny legs. Most mosquitoes have wings in a combination of colors. These include brown, black, gray, and white. The rest of the mosquito’s body is covered in scales, so the color comes from its wings.
Why do mosquitoes bite?
Mosquitoes are best known for their bloodsucking. However, it is only the females that suck blood. They don’t even need blood for food. Mosquitoes feed on nectar, honeydew, and other plant material.
Female mosquitoes suck blood to develop their eggs. To suck an animal’s blood, the female mosquito has a long mouthpart. With it, she can pierce the skin and remove blood. The blood loss is not normally a problem for the host. But, as the female mosquito sucks an animal’s blood, some saliva gets injected into the host. This causes the red, itchy bite.
What diseases do mosquitoes spread?
It is estimated that mosquito bites have killed approximately half of all people who have ever lived. The reason for this is that mosquitoes can pick up diseases from one animal host and spread it to the next.
Some of the diseases mosquitoes are known to spread include malaria, yellow fever, Chikungunya, West Nile disease, dengue fever, and the Zika Virus. This is just a short list. Because mosquitoes are so potentially dangerous, it is important to avoid them whenever possible.
Why do I have mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes breed in water. That is where the female lays her eggs. Because it is the female that sucks blood, you do not want them in your yard. If you have any source of standing water, you are likely to attract mosquitoes.
Unfortunately, mosquitoes are also attracted to their food and blood source. If you have a lot of flowers and other plants in your yard, you are providing mosquitoes, as well as other insects, food. Lots of animals in your yard, including you, will also attract mosquitoes.
How to get rid of mosquitoes?
- It is very hard to keep mosquitoes from entering your Waldorf, MD yard completely. But, there are a few steps you can take to keep them under control.
- Remove all standing water from your yard. If you live in a subdivision, you may want to ask your neighbors to do this as well.
- Mosquitoes do not like all plants. Basil, Bee Balm, Catnip, Citronella, Garlic, Lavender, Marigold, Peppermint, and Rosemary are all plants that repel mosquitoes. The good news is that humans love the smell and taste of most of these plants. If you plant them in your yard or keep them in pots on your patio, you will be repelling mosquitoes and increasing the allure of your yard.
- Contact Barefoot Pest Control. We are mosquito removal experts local to the Waldorf, MD area. If you have a mosquito problem, or just want to protect yourself and your family, contact Barefoot Pest Control today.