What Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are small insects measuring only 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch. They are typically gray or tan with white, silver, or green markings. Mosquitoes are equipped with 2 wings and a long proboscis that they use for feeding. The male feeds only on nectar while the female feeds on nectar and blood, using the blood to produce eggs.
There are more than 59 species of mosquito that call Maryland home, and most are capable of carrying and transmitting various disease to people including West Nile virus, dengue fever, chikungunya virus, yellow fever, malaria, and at least two of these species can transmit the Zika virus. Controlling mosquito populations on your Riva property is an important part of keeping your family safe from these illnesses.
Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites
One of the biggest challenges for Riva residents is protecting themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites. Not only are the red, raised welts of a mosquito bite annoyingly itchy, but these bites are also capable of transmitting dangerous illnesses. There are several things that you can do to help limit your exposure to mosquitoes during the warmer months here in Riva. These include:
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Limit your time outdoors during peak mosquito activity times of dawn and dusk.
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Avoid areas near stagnant bodies of water, especially during dawn and dusk.
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Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, making sure to tuck pant legs into your socks.
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Wear light colored clothing rather than darker colors that tend to attract mosquitoes.
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Use an insect repellent that contains DEET making sure to apply it to exposed skin and all clothing each time you go outdoors.
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Use a product containing picaridin on clothing, shoes, tents, and sleeping bags. Never use picaridin directly on skin.
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Partner with American Pest for mosquito abatement services.
Tips To Prevent Mosquito Activity In Your Yard
One of the most important things to understand about mosquitoes is that they breed in standing water and it doesn’t take very much water for them to lay their eggs. The saucer under your plant pot on the deck or the inside rim of the tires leaning against your garage are more than enough to accommodate the female mosquito.
Other common breeding sites in your Riva yard include bird baths, children’s toys, low spots in your lawn, uncovered trash receptacles, rain barrels, and any other objects that can collect even the smallest amount of water. Also, be sure to replace corrugated gutter pipes with smooth, flat tubing. Mosquitoes can find enough water collected in the corrugations to meet their breeding requirements. Covering the end of drain pipes with a piece of pantyhose and a rubber band is also a good idea.
Another way to limit mosquito activity on your Riva property is to keep grass cut short and limit the number of shrubs planted in your yard. These are areas that many mosquito species use to rest and protect themselves from the sun and the heat of the day.
Also, be sure to limit nectar-bearing plants that can attract mosquitoes for feeding. These include any plant whose leaves can collect and hold water.
Instead, you can choose to plant varieties that are known to be distasteful to mosquitoes including: citronella grass, lavender, basil, catmint, rosemary, garlic, bee balm, cadaga trees, cedars, clove, floss flower, lemon scented geraniums, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon eucalyptus, lemon thyme, Mexican marigold, nodding onion, pineapple weed, wormwood, pitcher plant, mint, snowbrush, sweet fern, tansy, stone root, tea tree, wild bergamot, and vanilla leaf.
Remember, to release the oils in these varieties, make sure to rub the foliage as you work in your garden.
While all of these tips can help you to prevent mosquito activity in your yard, the very best way to control mosquito populations is with mosquito control services from American Pest. Routine treatments during ‘mosquito season’ work to eliminate adults, larvae, and eggs drastically reducing the number of mosquitoes on your property and drastically reducing the chances of a mosquito bite. To learn more about our effective mosquito control services, simply give us a call today.
Other Riva, MD pest control services
Mosquitoes are certainly topping the news here in Riva, but they are not the only pest poised to cause damage and transmit disease which is why American Pest offers Riva residents a wide variety of pest protection options. Some of our industry-leading services include:
To learn more about these effective pest prevention solutions or to schedule your free pest inspection for your Riva, Maryland, home or business, simply give us a call today.
