Tips To Prevent Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes are annoying pests that bite us when we are trying to avoid Summer evenings. They also carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, etc. The good thing is that they don’t bite everyone equally. Some people get bitten more often than others. With our tips from expert technicians at Superior Pest Elimination, you can prevent mosquitoes from taking over your property and biting you. In this blog post, we will cover: 

• The Dangers of Mosquito Bites
• Where Mosquitoes Come From
• How to Prevent Mosquitoes From Taking Over Your Yard

The Dangers Of Mosquito Bites 

Mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous animals on earth. They carry diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Japanese encephalitis, and St. Louis Encephalitis. In addition, they also bite humans and transmit viruses such as hepatitis A, B, C, and HIV. It is important to know how to prevent mosquito bites so that you do not fall prey to these diseases. Mosquitoes are very sneaky and you may not know you've been bit until you want to scratch the targeted area. If you are wondering what a bite looks like, expect to see a white, reddish bump that will appear only a minute or two after being bit. A more severe bite will resemble hives and you could develop a low-grade fever. If this is the case, make sure to seek a doctor so you can find out if the bite is transmitting any diseases. 

Where Do Mosquitoes Come From? 

Mosquitoes are one insect that seems to appear out of nowhere, but once they find your property, they don't plan on leaving. The life stage for a mosquito includes: 

1. A female mosquito laying its eggs in standing water.
2. Eggs will then hatch from days to months after being laid. Eggs can only be hatched if submerged in water.
3. The larvae will then develop into pupae in less than 5 days.
4. The pupae then develop into an adult in 2-3 days and are ready to fly. 

How Much Water Does A Mosquito Need To Lay Eggs? 

Once a mosquito is fully grown, it will stay close to natural water habitats where it can continue to breed and grow more larvae. Mosquitoes only need 1/4" of water to successfully lay eggs, and they have the capability to lay hundreds at one time.

How To Prevent Mosquitoes From Biting You? 

There are certain factors you can practice to prevent mosquitoes from biting you as much as they bite other individuals. Carbon dioxide, body odor, and body temperature all play a part in if a mosquito finds you as a victim, but your best bet in keeping these insects away will include: 

• Removing Mosquito Habitats
• Natural Repellents
• Adding Mosquito Barriers

Removing Mosquito Habitats

 As we've learned, mosquitoes don't need a lot of water to wreak havoc on your property. The most important method of keeping these pests away involves getting rid of their natural reliance - water! Make sure to inspect your entire property for any standing water. Areas of standing water can include:

Once you find these areas, dump/clean them off and make sure to inspect your yard on a regular basis to keep these pests at bay. 

Natural Repellents

Believe it or not, there are certain repellents that can deter mosquitoes. Keep in mind that there are thousands of different mosquito species in the World and not all of these will work, but natural repellents that are known to make a difference include: 

All of these ingredients can be compressed into essential oil sprays and utilized around your property. Learn more about natural mosquito repellents. 

Adding Mosquito Barriers

If you're having issues with mosquitoes entering your home, it may be time to make sure your home is secure from any cracks and crevices. Replace your window screens and check the bottom of door seals to ensure there are no gaps. Not only will this help with mosquitoes, but it should help other pests as well. If you want to invest in an actual mosquito barrier, this is known to help as well. 

A mosquito barrier is insecticide-treated netting placed over windows or doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. They are typically made out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, but they may also be made out of nylon mesh. These barriers should be treated with insecticides to kill any bugs that enter through the openings. 

Professional Mosquito Control

If you've tried all of the methods listed above and are still dealing with these pesky insects, look to Superior Pest Elimination for professional mosquito control services. Our expert technicians incorporate reduced-risk products, so this way you can always feel safe with the ingredients we are spraying. We service locations in both New York and New Jersey, so make sure to contact us today for the best mosquito control services!