The ultimate guide to mosquito control: tips and tricks for your property

Understanding Mosquito Behavior: Essential For Effective Control

We have all heard the annoying sounds of buzzing mosquitoes in our ears, but most of us don't know much about these pests, so here is some pertinent information. Mosquitos are flying insects with six long legs; they have a 1/4 to 3/8-inch most gray body with iridescent white, silver, green, or blue scales. You may be surprised that mosquitoes are not parasites like bed bugs, fleas, or ticks that require blood to survive. The everyday diet of mosquitoes is plant juices and nectar, not blood.

Why do mosquitoes in Orange County bitey if they don't need blood? Mosquitoes draw blood for egg production; only the female mosquitoes attack people or animals. Only female mosquitoes have mouthparts capable of piercing skin; males cannot penetrate human or animal skin.

A fertilized female needs protein, amino acids, iron, and other blood-based nutrients to produce eggs. Upon fertilization, the mosquito flies to find a host. Using the sensors on its two antennae, it buzzes around until it detects carbon dioxide, body heat, skin odor, or perspiration. Once it finds a host, it lands and uses the claws on each of its six feet to anchor itself while it uses a complicated mouthpart known as a proboscis to penetrate the skin.

Once it pierces the skin, it injects saliva into its host. The saliva contains an anti-coagulate to promote blood flow, and it has an anti-histamine, which temporarily suppresses the immune system's response, thus allowing the mosquito to get its fill of blood before you notice it is feasting on you.

After it receives its blood requirement, the mosquito detaches and searches for a location to deposit its eggs. Because mosquito offspring need water and food, it places the eggs at the edge of water in the soil right about the water line or, in some cases, in the water. Mosquitoes often put their eggs around ponds, lakes, and marshes. In urban settings, mosquitoes deposit eggs in bird baths, potted plants, poorly draining ditches, puddles, retention ponds, and water-collecting containers in yards. Mosquitoes will leave their eggs wherever there is stagnant water.

Eggs exposed to water hatch within a few days, and larvae emerge. The larva, known as "wigglers," feed on organic plant matter in the stale as they progress into the pupa stage. When they reach this phase, each creates a cocoon that floats on the water and tumbles beneath the surface when there is a disturbance. After a few days or weeks, depending upon the temperature and weather conditions, the mosquito emerges from its cocoon and uses it as a raft while its wings harden. Once its wings are ready, the mosquito flies away to mate and, if it is a female, to find its first host.

The culex mosquito species is common in our area and throughout the country and is active at dusk and dawn. Although more prevalent in southern states, the Asian tiger "Aedes" mosquito is also in Orange County. These mosquitoes have a 1/8-inch body white and black striped body and legs. Unlike culex mosquitoes, Asian tiger mosquitoes are active during the day.

The professional mosquito control servicefrom HomeShield Pest Control is there for whatever mosquito species invades your Orange County home.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases: How These Insects Pose A Serious Danger

Worldwide, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal. Each year, mosquito-borne illnesses kill over 700,000 people around the world. While most of these deaths occur outside the United States, mosquitoes are still a threat within our country. What makes these pests so deadly?

When a mosquito ingests a host's blood, it also consumes bacteria, viruses, or parasitic worms that are present. Along with the essential nutrients it needs for egg production, the mosquito filters out water and retains the disease-causing pathogens. Eventually, the bacteria, viruses, and parasitic worms migrate to the mosquitoe's saliva glands, and the mosquito injects them into a host the next time it feeds, spreading the disease.

Culex and Asian tiger mosquitoes are vectors for the following diseases:

While we cannot vouch for the effectiveness of each plant-based suggestion, eliminating standing water will deter mosquitoes from breeding on your property and impact the mosquito population around your Orange County home.

When a service technician from HomeShield Pest Control inspects your property, we can provide additional suggestions based on your location.