Mosquitoes can become quite a nuisance during the summer months when you want to relax outdoors. Not only are they annoying, but they can also potentially carry life-threatening viruses. Taking the proper steps to protect your home from mosquito infestations is crucial, and if you notice a current infestation, it is important to deal with it in the safest way possible.
How Does a Mosquito Infestation Start?
Mosquitoes will typically lay their eggs in standing water outdoors, such as birdbaths or rain barrels. Any places where water can collect and become stagnant are prime egg-laying spots for mosquitoes outdoors.
Mosquitos can also lay their eggs indoors, although it is less common. Typically, they will lay their eggs on moldy or damp surfaces.
How Harmful Can a Mosquito Infestation Be?
For Your Home
Most mosquitoes will not damage your property and the more prevalent worry is what problems mosquitoes pose to human beings. Although, some mosquitoes like the Aquatic Midge can do damage to paint and stucco, so it is important to identify what kind of mosquito you are dealing with.
For Human Beings
Mosquitoes can carry a variety of different life-threatening viruses. These viruses are transferred to human beings through a bite from a mosquito. Some of the viruses are:
Do It Yourself Methods
Prevention
- Dump and avoid standing water. Check your home regularly for any instances of stagnant water and dispose of it.
- Make sure to have screens for all of your doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside your home.
- Cover trash cans and rain barrels securely with lids.
- Reduce the number of ornamental plants around your house. Mosquitoes feed on nectar from plants, so they will tend to gather in areas with a lot of them.
Treatment
Store-bought mosquito repellent, mosquito candles, and bug zappers can help mitigate a mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes typically breed in dark and damp areas, so it is important to focus your effort on these areas when attempting to treat an infestation.
More permanent solutions for mosquito infestations will need to be implemented by a professional pest control service through the use of chemical sprays and professional-grade traps.
Professional Methods
Sprays for Indoors
- Foggers and aerosols can be used indoors to kill airborne mosquitoes. These products are harmful to humans and pets when they are breathed in, so your home must be vacated while the products dry.
- Sprays can be applied to the surfaces where mosquitoes rest. Mosquitoes will die when they come in contact with these surfaces. It is safe to use sprays while you and your pets are home.
- Pest control professionals will focus on the areas that the mosquitoes are breeding or tend to gather. Usually, these areas are dark, damp, and humid.
Sprays for Outdoors
- Foggers and aerosols can also be used to kill airborne mosquitoes outdoors. Since these products will dissipate quickly outdoors there is no need to vacate your home.
- Sprays can be applied to the surfaces where mosquitoes rest and will kill them when they come into contact with a surface that has been sprayed.
- Pest control professionals will use methods that will deter mosquitoes from breeding in the same place again, effectively setting up a shield for your yard through sprays and traps.
Professional Mosquito Traps
Mosquito traps are a great way to achieve long-term prevention of infestation. One such trap is the In2Care Mosquito Trap. It is a unique tool that controls breeding, reduces populations, and prevents the transmission of diseases carried by mosquitoes.
The In2Care trap attracts mosquitoes ready to breed through a strong odor, then the mosquitoes will attempt to lay their eggs in the body of water inside the trap. There is special gauze inside the trap that the mosquito will land on which carries mosquito-killing powders. The mosquito will contaminate the water with these powders, and the larvae born in the trap will die before they pupate.
Booking Professional Treatment
Mosquito infestations can get out of hand rapidly – if you are experiencing an infestation and want professional quality treatment, book an appointment here.