How To Identify A Mosquito
All mosquitoes have a distinctive appearance that is characterized by their long and thin legs, slender bodies, and long translucent wings. There are over 150 mosquito species in the United States; however, DeKalb County only has a few types of mosquitoes, which include:
- Culex: The culex mosquito has a black body with faint light-colored bands. This species is usually more active in the morning and afternoon. If the female is looking for blood to eat, she will most likely feed on birds and small animals in the spring and move to larger animals and humans in the summer. The culex is responsible for spreading harmful diseases such as encephalitis, filariasis, and the West Nile virus.
- Anopheles: The anopheles mosquito has a dark brown body. The abdomen, head, and thorax of this species are separated into three distinct sections. Like all mosquitoes, the anopheles has a short lifespan. However, the average lifespan of this particular species is only a few weeks long. Even though they don't live long, the female anopheles can produce several thousand eggs in her lifetime. This species is most known for being a carrier of malaria.
- Aedes: The Aedes has a black body and bright white stripes that cover its abdomen and legs. This type of mosquito has the potential to spread a wide range of diseases, including chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever.
Mosquitoes are actually pollinators. The male mosquito feeds exclusively on the nectar of various plants and flowers. Only the female mosquito drinks the blood of humans and animals, and she only drinks it so she can lay her eggs.
Dangerous Mosquitoes Will Come Inside Homes If They Can
Mosquitoes will come into your home to seek shelter and water. Because they are so small and their wings are not very strong, if it rains or there are strong winds outside, a mosquito will need to find a warm and dry area to wait out the storm.
Water is the other thing that will attract a mosquito into your home. Water is extremely important to a female mosquito. Mosquitoes lay their eggs on or near water. There doesn't have to be a lot of water, even a few ounces will do. If you have puddles of water near your home or you have leaky pipes in your home, a mosquito will come to your property.
Naturally Effective Ways To Prevent Mosquitoes From Coming Inside
If you want to deter mosquitoes from coming into your home, you don't have to buy a bunch of expensive chemicals or candles to keep mosquitoes away. There are several natural and effective ways to keep mosquitoes away from your home, which include:
- Don't leave doors and windows open in your home. Mosquitoes are fast flyers, so even if you leave the door open for a few seconds, a mosquito can fly in. When entering and exiting your house, make sure to quickly shut the door behind you.
- Don't leave standing water in or around your house. Dump out and clean your flower vases, kiddie pools, and other places water may collect.
- Install screens on your doors and windows. If you already have screens on your doors and windows, make sure that they don't have any gaps or holes in them.
- Keep your grass cut short. If the grass in your yard is overgrown, mosquitoes will use it as a hiding spot and a way to take cover from the wind.
It can be challenging to completely prevent mosquitoes from coming into your home. However, if you can make your yard seem less appealing, they will be less likely to come near your home.
The Secret To Successful Mosquito Control For Your Home
It can be difficult to get rid of mosquitos in your Decatur home on your own. At Tuxedo Mosquito Control, we have dedicated the last two decades to finding innovative mosquito control solutions. We use groundbreaking techniques and equipment that you can't find with other pest control companies. Call us today to learn how we can get rid of mosquitoes in your home for good.