As you have undoubtedly experienced, mosquitoes bite and suck your blood, leaving behind an itchy bump. We all know that they are after our blood, but have you ever wondered why? Let’s explore mosquito behavior, the reason mosquitoes bite, and how to protect your property from these dangerous pests.
What Everyone Ought To Know About Mosquitoes
There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world, but only a handful feed on human blood. The mosquitoes found in the Aiken, SC area include the Culex, Asian Tiger, and Yellow Fever mosquitoes. Each of these species is a small, flying insect characterized by a long straw-like mouth called a proboscis, and is known to spread infectious diseases.
What Do Mosquitoes Eat?
A common misconception is that all mosquitoes subsist entirely on blood. However, adult male mosquitoes feed off of nectar, plant juices, and aphid honeydew. Mosquito larvae, or babies, hatch in standing water and subsist on the algae and microorganisms found in and around the water.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
Most people aren’t aware that only female mosquitoes bite and drink blood. Females require blood for reproductive processes, as the proteins and amino acids from blood are used to create mosquito eggs. Unfortunately, every time you get bitten by a mosquito, your blood is directly contributing to making hundreds of more mosquitoes. Yikes!
How To Protect Your Aiken Property From Mosquitoes
While it's impossible to completely eradicate all mosquitoes from your yard, there are some things you can do to limit mosquito populations and avoid being bitten. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself and your property from mosquitoes:
- Remove standing water. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water, so be sure to empty water-filled containers after it rains.
- Stay indoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long-sleeve shirts, pants, socks, and shoes.
- Use insect repellant and citronella candles or torches.
- Use a fan outdoors to keep mosquitoes at bay, as they are not strong flyers.
While these measures can help keep mosquitoes away, the most effective mosquito control will be provided by a professional pest control service.
Mosquito Experts In Aiken, SC
If mosquitoes are eating you alive on your property, call the experts and get back to enjoying the outdoors. At Aiken Pest Control, we have provided the Aiken, SC area with quality mosquito control for more than 50 years. Our tried and true process will drastically reduce the mosquito population on your property, guaranteed.
Our mosquito control process starts with an initial property inspection where we locate breeding and resting sites. Then our specialists will treat these areas, using a fast-drying product that you won’t even notice, but works like a charm. After the first service, we’ll visit your property monthly for follow-up treatments while mosquitoes are most prevalent, usually from April through October. In addition to mosquitoes, this process also treats fleas and ticks, so you can rest assured that your property is virtually free of all three of these troublesome pests.
Mosquitoes are annoying and dangerous, but together we can take back your yard. Don’t let mosquitoes ruin another barbecue, contact Aiken Pest Control for the most effective mosquito control in Aiken.