While you may be aware of how annoying mosquitoes can be, do you know the role they play in the environment? Learn more about the life of these pests and how you can prevent them from negatively impacting yours with specific mosquito control methods.

The Benefits of Mosquitoes

Just hearing their buzz in your ear can be annoying, and their itchy bites can linger for days. But mosquitoes aren’t all bad. These slender, long-legged flying insects act as pollinators for many plants. A mosquito’s mouth is designed for piercing and sucking down sustenance. However, it’s the female mosquitoes that feed on blood in order to get the necessary protein for producing eggs. Males feed primarily on plant nectar.

Mosquitoes are also an important part of the food chain. Birds, bats, fish, and other insects and aquatic organisms seek out mosquitoes in the puddles and marshes they call home and lay their eggs. But when a human wanders into these mosquito breeding grounds, the female insects are ready to feast. This is where things can get deadly.

Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are known for their bites that lead to itchy, red welts. But some bites can also lead to serious diseases. The most well-known conditions include malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus.

• Malaria remains a major concern in many parts of the world including sub-Saharan Africa. Control efforts involve insecticide-treated bed nets and chemical sprays. Travelers are often prescribed antimalarial medications.
• Dengue fever symptoms range from mild fever to death if not treated promptly.
• Zika virus was linked to a number of birth defects in Brazil. Other mild symptoms can occur, but there could be more severe consequences for pregnant women and their unborn children.

While there are more widely used control options in tropical areas known for large infestations, prevention is important for anyone looking to reduce exposure to painful, itchy bites.

Mosquito Control and Prevention

One of the easiest ways to control mosquito populations is to eliminate breeding sites. While you can’t control the humid climate mosquitoes thrive in, you can reduce their threat by removing standing water in your area. This includes:

1. Emptying containers such as buckets, pots, and outdoor toys. Regularly clean out bird baths and treat pool water to limit breeding grounds.
2. Cleaning gutters. Not only does this limit mold, disease, and other leaks, it prevents mosquitoes from moving in.
3. Improving soil drainage. Standing water in your lawn attracts disease and pests. Aerate, mulch, and fill in bare spots to reduce the risk.

With less breeding sites, there’s less mosquitoes, and less chances of bites and disease. However, you can only control the areas in and around your home. Once you travel to areas with higher populations of mosquitoes, you still need to protect yourself. Here are some personal options:

• • Apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
  • Cover exposed skin with long-sleeves, pants, socks, hats and other protective clothing
  • Use nets and fans in the bedroom
  • Burn citronella candles
  • Use an insect repelling device in outdoor areas
  • Call Shades of Green Lawn & Landscape at 765-771-9998

Shades of Green Lawn & Landscape can apply a mosquito treatment to your lawn that helps reduce the number of dangerous pests, including mosquitoes. Our lawn care specialists know the area and what conditions attract these pests. Understanding mosquitoes better equips us to deal with them effectively. Even if some mosquitoes are important to the ecological balance, we still need to protect our health. We can help you improve your prevention methods and enjoy a pest-free yard.