ABOUT MOSQUITOES
Home and business owners in Philadelphia and the surrounding region are frequently troubled by the common pest known as the mosquito. Anyone suffering from the annoyance and discomfort of an infestation is recommended to contact a professional pest control company.
APPEARANCE
Despite the many different species, all mosquitoes have a single pair of wings and six legs. Mosquitoes may also be identified by the scales that cover their wings and bodies. This is what differentiates them from other, similar insects like midges. They also share an incredible resiliency that allows them to survive when other insects could not.
Mosquitoes tend to be quite small. They average about 15 mm in length and typically weigh no more than 2.5 mg. With long, thin legs and a distinctive proboscis, mosquitoes are readily identifiable.
HABITATS
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water found in wetlands, ponds and swamps. However, they are quite adaptable and will use almost any standing body of water, even those that are quite small, for laying egg sacks. The mosquito loves hot, humid climates, but this does not mean that they can't survive and thrive even when temperatures drop below zero. Mosquito eggs can survive a deep freeze before hatching in the following spring. With the ability to lay 200 eggs at a time, it is easy to see how a mosquito infestation can get out of hand.
DIET
Mosquitoes are perhaps best known, and reviled, for the tendency to bite. What many people do not realize is that it is only the female of the species who feeds on the blood of mammals. This part of the mosquito diet is known to help generate eggs.
Still, blood is not necessarily the staple food of the species. Adults feed mainly on nectar from flowers, though some mosquitoes are known to eat others of their species. Young mosquitoes tend to favor standing water where they can easily consume aquatic organisms that are smaller than they are.
BEHAVIOR
Mosquitoes are most active from dusk until dawn, though their activity levels may also spike when conditions are cloudy and overcast. They much prefer this to sunny weather, as they are in danger of being desiccated if they are exposed to too much sunlight.
Mosquitoes are not particularly adept fliers. Typically, they are able to fly no more than three miles, which means that they are confined to the region that is local to their hatch site. They tend to fly at altitudes of less than 25 feet, and they are known to follow the smell of human breath to find a target. Similarly, sweat and body heat may help a female mosquito locate a preferred victim.
PROBLEMS WITH MOSQUITOES
As home owners in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey know, mosquitoes can be a troublesome nuisance. They are the bane of outdoor family reunions, barbecues and picnics. A summer day spent fishing or an afternoon of working in the garden can be similarly spoiled when mosquitoes put in an appearance.
The bite of the female mosquito can lead to severe itching in nearly everyone. However, a smaller segment of the population is actually allergic to the mosquito's bite. When an allergic individual is bitten, they may experience respiratory complications that are similar to asthma as well as inflammation and blisters. These symptoms are typically easy to control with guidance from a doctor.
HEALTH ISSUES
Although mosquitoes are widely considered deadly in other parts of the world, this is generally not the case in the United States. Nevertheless, mosquitoes can be a potential health threat in the U.S. due to a number of serious infectious diseases that are known to carry, including malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus and the Zika virus.
Additionally, people who are intensely allergic to the mosquito's bite may go into anaphylaxis or develop severe swelling and blisters. These symptoms should be immediately reviewed by a medical professional.
SIGNS OF A MOSQUITO INFESTATION
Mosquito control in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas may be necessary when the following signs are apparent:
• Persistent buzzing in yard and garden areas
• Visual sightings of mosquitoes
• Developing red, itchy bumps from bites
PREVENTION TIPS
Property owners should follow these tips to help prevent problems with mosquitoes:
• Eliminate standing water in outdoor areas
• Throw away or securely store items like tires and buckets that could accumulate rainwater
• Spray insecticides in areas where mosquitoes are encountered
• Light citronella candles when spending time outdoors
• Wear insect repellent to avoid bites
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Getting rid of a mosquito infestation typically integrates several treatment methods. Because mosquitoes thrive in multiple places and various conditions, it is critical that all of these situations are addressed. Additionally, it is impossible to control what nearby neighbors do on their property.
For these reasons it is rarely possible for the average home or business owner to eradicate a mosquito infestation on their own. Instead, it is advisable to seek out a pest control professional.
At Safeguard, our trained technicians have the knowledge and equipment necessary to provide reliable mosquito control.
Our staff of certified technicians will administer treatment in a 100-foot radius of the exterior of the structure. Attention will also be focused on potential resting and breeding areas. These include:
• High moisture content areas
• Bushes and hedges
• Areas where constant shade is found
• Around decks and patios
• Trees in close proximity of roofs and structures
