Mosquito Identification & Prevention

What are mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are tiny flying insects infamous for their parasitic tendencies. However, parasitic mosquitoes are not the full story. These insects actually feed primarily on nectar. Only female mosquitoes bite, and only when they are preparing to lay eggs and in need of protein.

However, even though mosquitoes do not use blood as a primary food source, they can still do plenty of damage. So much damage, in fact, that they have earned the title of the "world's most dangerous animal," all thanks to the diseases they spread.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Mosquitoes in Maryland might not spread the deadliest mosquito-borne disease (malaria), but this doesn't mean you are in the clear when it comes to mosquito bites. Mosquitoes in our home state still spread plenty of potentially dangerous illnesses, the worst of which is viral encephalitis.

Mosquitoes throughout the United States spread many different types of viral encephalitis. If you wind up with any type of encephalitis, it could leave you with severe and lifelong symptoms due to swelling in the brain. Rarely, mosquito-borne encephalitis has also led to death.

Why do I have a mosquito problem?

Mosquitoes are attracted to several different elements on your property, but the most common thing that draws mosquitoes in is standing water. Female mosquitoes need standing water to lay eggs. Some species can get away with laying eggs in moist soil, but they all prefer stagnant, warm water.

Other mosquito attractants include sweet, nectar-rich flowers, livestock, pets, and, of course, you. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, female mosquitoes may be attracted to your scent, especially if you like to be outside in the evening. 

Where will I find mosquitoes?

You can find mosquitoes just about anywhere, though they will be a lot more numerous around standing water because most individual mosquitoes do not fly very far from the place where they hatch. However, it's not just about where you will find mosquitoes but when.

Mosquitoes cannot handle the heat and intensity of direct sunlight. They do not come out during the day. Rather, you will encounter more mosquitoes when the sun is low in the sky or down altogether. Mosquitoes are especially active in the dawn and dusk hours.

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

Here in Waldorf, mosquito control can be a little more difficult, thanks to our warm, humid, and rainy summers in Maryland. Frequent rain and high humidity can make soil drainage a problem, and it can mean that keeping standing water at bay is almost impossible. When looking for a blood meal or a place to breed, mosquitoes play dirty.

The best way to keep these disease-spreading little devils off your property is to contact the experts at Mike's Pest, Termite, and Wildlife Control. Mosquitoes cannot stand up to our battery of control products, including backpack sprayers and standing water anti-larval treatments. Our expert technicians can inspect your property for conducive conditions and treat existing mosquito problems all at the same time so that you never have to deal with them again.

How can I prevent mosquitoes in the future?

For the best preventative mosquito control, try to eliminate mosquito attractants.

• Get rid of all standing water on your property, including things like bird baths and kiddie pools. 
• Try to eliminate sweet-smelling, high-nectar flowers from your property. 
• Plant herbs and flowers that mosquitoes hate, including rosemary, lemongrass, and lavender. 
• Make sure your soil is draining well and does not puddle when it rains.

If all your best preventative efforts seem to fail no matter what you do, don't hesitate to call us here at Mike's Pest, Termite and Wildlife Control. We can fill in the gaps in your mosquito control plan to ensure you are safe from their bites and the diseases they spread.