Michigan is home to about fifty five different species of mosquitoes. These annoying pests are best known for their habit of feeding on blood to help generate their eggs. They have long, thin legs and an elongated appendage on their head that’s used for feeding and sucking. Their bodies and wings are covered in tiny scales with adults measuring 1/8 to ¾ inches. They are most active from dusk till dawn but can be active anytime it there’s enough cloud cover or they like dark shady place. They’re more than annoying too-they can be deadly. They can transmit encephalitis, malaria and yellow fever to humans and heartworm to pets. The high-pitched buzz of a mosquito is extremely irritating. You try and swat it away from your head only to have another one land on your leg and start feeding. You’ll wake up the next morning itching like crazy with red, itchy bumps. People can react differently to the bite of a mosquito, ranging from mild irritation to intense inflammation and swelling. Knock Em Out Pest Control offers helpful tips to deal with mosquitoes below.
How Do I Reduce Mosquitoes in My Backyard?
All mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle and once eggs have been laid, they hatch in a day or two. Areas that collect water can be old tires and tin cans but any other container that can hold water will be used to lay eggs. Remove any sources of standing water by draining low areas of your yard or filling them in to prevent water from collecting. Cleaning out gutters and culverts to prevent weeds form blocking water drainage. Covering trash cans to keep rain water out and repairing leaky pipes and outdoor faucets. Don’t allow plastic wading pools to have water in them for too long-empty them weekly. Make sure grass and shrubs are maintained by trimming them so mosquitoes can’t hide there. Removing sources of stagnant, standing water is the easiest way to prevent having issues with mosquitoes but even after you have done everything you can, you may still need professional mosquito control to keep your loved ones safe.
How Do You Get Mosquitoes to Stop Biting You?
Mosquitoes find us through their sense of smell, not sight. The odors in our sweat and breath are more than they can resist and include carbon dioxide, lactic acid and alcohol based compounds. DEET works by interfering with the odorant receptors they use to locate prey. Do mosquitoes find you irresistible? Spray containing DEET should be sprayed on exposed areas of skin. The DEET concentration of a product will determine how long it will work. For example, a product with 7 to 10% DEET will do the job if you’ll be outside for 90 minutes or less, but you’ll need to make sure you reapply if you’ll be out longer. You can choose lotions, wipes or sprays. They are all effective, but avoid sprays with children so they don’t inhale it.
How Do Professionals Get Rid of Mosquitoes?
After an inspection has been performed, a pest control specialist will devise a plan to help with source reduction and necessary chemicals. Fogging and barrier treatments can be used to help eliminate and control an infestation of mosquitoes.
Mosquito Pest Inspections & Control in Lansing, Michigan
As we start to spend more time outdoors, we will all be battling mosquitoes. Do all you can to avoid having them around you and if you need additional help, contact Knock Em Out Pest Control for assistance today!
