Nobody wants to spend their summer swatting away at mosquitoes, but unfortunately, that’s often the reality for many Rockville residents. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be.
Here’s what Rockville homeowners should know about why mosquitoes are important for the environment, how mosquito control has worked in the past, the diseases that mosquitoes can transmit, and some natural ways to keep them out of your yard with pest control in Rockville.
What Is The Purpose Of Mosquitoes In Rockville?
It may not seem like it, but mosquitoes do serve a purpose. Not only do they play a major role in the food chain and feeding other animals, like fish, frogs, and bats, but they’re also great pollinators too. Across the world, mosquitoes also play a big role in defending the earth’s rainforests.
With so many mosquitoes in the rainforests, it makes it difficult for humans to tear down or develop these parts of the world, so they’re actually helping the environment. In fact, while mosquitoes seem to get a bad rap for biting people, only a small portion of mosquito species suck blood or bother humans at all.
A Brief History Of Mosquito Control
Humans have been fending off hungry, bloodthirsty mosquitoes for centuries and as a result, there have been a lot of developments in mosquito control.
Centuries ago, Native Americans relied on plants like citronella, rosemary, and catnip to ward off mosquitoes, which is still a tactic used today. Homeowners may still try to plant these types of plants in their gardens today to prevent mosquitoes from hanging around or trying to pollinate near their homes since they work as a form of mosquito repellent.
During the 1900s, the government and farmers began using DDT to control mosquito populations, which ended up being more harmful than helpful and was banned in the U.S. in 1972. Today, many pest control companies use a combination of eco-friendly, effective treatments as well as environmental control methods, like reducing standing water sources, to combat local mosquito populations.
The Diseases Mosquitoes Can Transmit
Besides the itchy bites they may leave on your skin, mosquitoes can also be concerning because of the diseases they’re capable of transmitting to people, such as:
- West Nile virus
- Yellow fever
- Dengue
- Chikungunya
- Zika virus
- Malaria
While not all mosquitoes carry these diseases, there’s always the risk of encountering a disease-ridden mosquito, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Yard
Some of the natural ways to combat mosquitoes include:
- Remove standing water sources from your yard, like puddles, flooded gutters, or birdbaths, to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there.
- Plant mosquito-repelling plants, like citronella, rosemary, or catnip.
- Keep up with regular lawn maintenance like cutting your grass and trimming shrubs so that mosquitoes have fewer places to rest.
Besides the tips listed above, the most effective way to control mosquito populations in your yard is with professional help from Womack Pest Control. If you find yourself constantly swatting at mosquitoes or covered in bites, don’t wait any longer; call us today at Womack Pest Control to learn more about how our mosquito control treatments work or to schedule a visit to your home.