Mosquito Identification & Prevention

All mosquitoes belong to the family Culicidae and are classified as small flies. There are over three thousand different species. Most mosquitoes will have a similar appearance in that they have a slender, segmented body, three pairs of legs, a pair of wings, and distinctive, elongated mouthparts that they use for feeding on nectar or blood. Out of the many subspecies of mosquito, three main types are encountered more frequently:

• Aedes mosquitoes
• Culex mosquitoes
• Anopheles mosquitoes

The main difference between these mosquito types is the time of day they are active and how much water they need to lay their eggs. For instance, Aedes mosquitoes are more active during the daytime, while Culex and Anopheles mosquitoes are more likely to bite you during the early morning or late evening hours.

Mosquitoes have a similar life cycle to other insects in that they progress through four life stages — egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This life cycle takes anywhere between two weeks and four months to complete, depending on conditions in the area where the eggs are. Female mosquitoes require a meal of blood from mammals to develop their eggs, which is why mosquitoes are so well-known for biting humans – they need blood to reproduce.

Mosquitoes also need standing water to lay their eggs in; the female mosquito will not lay its eggs anywhere dry or in constantly moving water. Therefore, you must keep the water circulating in water features on your properties to prevent mosquito populations from developing.

Most people are familiar with the itchy, annoying bumps that mosquito bites leave behind, but you may not know how dangerous receiving mosquito bites can be. All mosquitoes can transmit serious illnesses such as the Zika virus, West Nile virus, or malaria through their bites. Not all mosquitoes will be infected, and certain mosquito species are more likely to carry some diseases than others, but the more frequently you encounter mosquito bites, the higher your risk for infection.

Additionally, mosquitoes may trigger allergic reactions with their bites, though severe reactions are rare. That said, if you have difficulty breathing, trouble swallowing, or any other unusual reaction such as fever and body aches after receiving a mosquito bite, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Large numbers of mosquitoes around your property can create major problems and even present serious health risks. Trust the pest management specialists at Womack Pest Control to provide expert pest control in Rockville, MD to assist in controlling your mosquito problems. We will apply exterior mist treatments on a regular or a one-time basis to help eliminate mosquitoes and reclaim your enjoyment of the outdoors. Call us today to schedule a mosquito reduction service or to learn more about our home pest control or commercial pest control services.

If you want to prevent mosquitoes from moving onto your property, there are a few essential steps that you can take.

• Remove all areas of standing water to stop mosquitoes from breeding on your property.
• Treat water features like birdbaths to kill mosquito eggs or opt to keep the water moving constantly.
• Plant citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary around your property so that the aroma wards off mosquitoes.
• Trim back long grass and overgrown foliage and remove yard debris to eliminate moist, shady mosquito hiding spots.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outside to ward off mosquitoes from biting you. You can also use a safe mosquito repellent when outdoors.

Should these prevention tips not work to control mosquito infestations, you can contact Womack Pest Control for more advice and expert assistance.