S & W Pest Management Inc : Insect Guide

Pest Guide » Stinging and Biting » Mosquitoes:

Mosquitoes
Culex species
Color: Varies; Pale brown with whitish stripes across abdomen
Legs: Six
Shape: Narrow Oval
Size: 1/4" - 3/8"
Antennae: Yes
Flight: Yes

There are many different species of mosquito pestering in the United States. Several of them are capable of transmitting serious, possibly even fatal diseases, such as mosquito-borne Encephalitis and West Nile Virus to humans. In most common cases, however, mosquito bites result in allergic reactions producing significant discomfort and itching. In some cases excessive scratching can lead to bleeding, scabbing, and possibly even secondary infection. Children are very susceptible to this because they find it difficult to stop scratching.

Female mosquitoes can produce a painful bite during feeding, and, in excessive numbers, can inhibit outdoor activities and lower property values. Mosquitoes can be a significant burden on animals, lowering productivity and efficiency of farm animals. To prevent mosquito breeding, removing their habitat is essential for control. Eggs do not hatch unless they are in water.

Follow these helpful tips to avoid being biten by mosquitoes. Always apply insect repellent containing DEET (aka: N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) to exposed skin when you go outside. Even a short time being outside can be long enough to get a mosquito bite. From dusk to dawn for many species of mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning -- or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.

Prevention:

The risk of becoming ill from mosquitoes bite can be minimized by controlling the mosquito breeding sites in close proximity to your home.

Remove old tires, buckets, tin cans, glass jars, broken toys and other water-catching devices.
Change water in bird baths and wading pools once or twice a week; clean out roof gutters holding stagnant water; and place tight covers over cisterns, cesspools, septic tanks, barrels, and tubs where water is stored.
Never over-apply lawn and garden irrigation and drain or fill stagnant water pools, puddles, ditches, or swampy areas.
Inspect water in plant containers, water-holding stumps, keep grass mowed around bodies of water, stock ponds and reservoirs with fish.
Use adequate screens on windows and doors.

If you would like to make an appointment with S & W Pest Management, please fill out the online appointment form or call 1-877-989-BUGS.