Preventing Mosquitoes in Your Yard

 

The abundant rains of the Pacific Northwest give us lush green forests that we all of love, but the standing water from these rains provide a breeding ground for Mosquitoes. These pests cannot only ruin an evening outdoors but they can also carry the West Nile Virus.

Mosquitoes are insects that make up the family Culicidae. They have a pair of scaled wings, a pair of halteres, a slender body, and long legs. The females of most mosquito species suck blood (hematophagy) from other animals, which has made them the most deadly disease vectors known to man, killing millions of people over thousands of years and continuing to kill millions per year by the spread of diseases.

 

What Attracts Mosquitoes?

In order to help prevent mosquitoes from invading your property, it’s important to understand what attracts these pests in the first place. And the biggest mosquito attractant is stagnant water. This is because mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water.

After feeding, a female mosquito will lay hundreds of eggs. After a day or two, those eggs will hatch into larva and they will begin feeding on microorganisms in the water. After about a week, they’ll be adults and the cycle will start over.

The metamorphosis of mosquitoes happens pretty quickly, so you can understand how a mosquito infestation can get out of hand very rapidly.

In addition to water, mosquitoes are also attracted to nectar and plant liquids because it provides them with the sugar they need to survive.

Keeping Mosquitoes Away

By disrupting a mosquito’s habitat, you increase your chances of being mosquito-free. Below are some steps you can take to help prevent mosquitoes in your yard.

• Eliminate all sources of standing water from birdbaths and playground equipment to discarded tires and tarps
• Ensure your gutters and downspouts are working properly
• Add mosquito-eating fish to ponds
• Mow your lawn frequently
• Keep plants low

Getting professional help will also help keep mosquitoes away from your yard. We at Interstate Pest Management, are experts in pests, including mosquitoes. We can install barriers and nets to keep mosquitoes out of your home and we can also misting systems. Just give us a call and we’ll develop a mosquito plan just for you.