Why do mosquitoes bite? Do they live on the blood they draw from humans? Do they collect it for some other reason? Maybe these pests bite people because they want to be annoying? If you have questions like these about mosquitoes around College Station, we have answers today along with what smells might detract these pests from biting you.
What Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are a species of solitary insects that live independently of one another. In a bug-eat-bug world, all a mosquito cares about is food, survival, and reproduction. Are you finding these pests buzzing around your yard, looking for a blood meal and fearlessly taking bites out of people and animals? To identify a mosquito, look for its small body, needle-like mouthparts, long abdomen, and thin wings. When filled with a blood meal, a mosquito's abdomen expands and takes on a deep red coloration.
Why Do Mosquitoes Need Blood?
Fun fact, male mosquitoes don’t feed on blood but rather live on a diet of honeydew and nectar. It is only females that require blood, not to survive, but to provide nutrients for their eggs. Typically a female mosquito lays 100 eggs every third night after mating. She is able to do this, on average, three times before dying.
Where Do Mosquitoes Breed?
Mosquitoes lay their eggs inside pools of stagnant water. Around properties, this could be anything from a left-out toy that has collected rainwater to a rarely used birdbath. Around your yard, it shouldn’t be too hard to identify some areas these pests might have laid or will lay their eggs. To reduce populations of mosquitoes on your property, pour out sources of stagnant water. For ornate pools and birdbaths, invest in a way for the water to circulate or change their water every four days. If you have a pond on your property, consider stocking it with mosquitofish.
Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?
The mosquito is the most dangerous pest on the planet and is responsible for over one million human deaths each year. Mosquito-related deaths occur mainly in third world countries and are a direct cause of the deadly diseases these pests carry and spread. That said, you can still get sick from a mosquito bite here in College Station. The only difference is that you have access to quick and effective health care services that will help you get back to being healthy. Some of the most common diseases mosquitoes transmit in our area are malaria, West Nile virus, dengue fever, and chikungunya.
What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate?
Mosquitoes often use their sense of smell to help them find humans to feed on. If a human gives off a pungent odor that these pests dislike, they will be less likely to land for a bite. Here are just a few smells that detract mosquitoes.
- Citronella
- Cloves
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
One thing you should know is that these smells don’t work as well when applied around properties. The only way to ensure mosquitoes stay out of your yard is with the help of a professional pest control provider.
Why You Need Professional Pest Control For Mosquitoes?
There are many strategies that help reduce a person’s chances of being bitten by a mosquito. Most require effort and/or applying a product to your body in order to deter these pests from landing on your skin. If you are looking for a way to deter these pests from your property, there is only one effective solution and that is hiring a pest control professional.
At D. Lee Pest Services, we are committed to providing only the highest quality mosquito control for properties around College Station. Our offerings include an ongoing treatment plan designed to keep mosquitoes off your property year-round and a single-service visit option for outdoor gatherings you are planning.
Call us today to find your solution to mosquitoes and schedule a treatment visit for your property. We will talk you through your options and answer any more questions you have about these pests. We also can provide you with home pest control services in Bryan, TX.