The Nemesis Mosquito
Fighting Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) here on the North Shore requires a serious plan of attack. Considered an invasive species by the USDA, these fierce little bugs first made their way to the States back in 1985 where they were discovered in Texas. Thanks to the used tire industry, they have spread across the entire Eastern Seaboard and are firmly entrenched in our area.
Asian tigers are not your typical mosquitoes. Easily spotted by their bold black and white stripes, they are one of only two mosquito breeds here in the US that are daytime feeders. What does that mean? Well, unlike regular mosquitoes, which traditionally feed from dusk till dawn, Asian tiger mosquitoes feed primarily during the heat of the day. These are the times when we are most likely to be out and about as well. They are considered highly aggressive and not easily intimidated or dazed. Since one female can lay up to 3,000 mosquitoes in her lifetime, swarms of these flying, biting pests multiply quickly and can overtake our yards.
They are also indiscriminate bloodsuckers. Whether it is a human host, or a bird, frog, lizard, or horse; a female Asian tiger mosquito requires blood to produce her massive supply of eggs. This nonchalance in where she eats is what makes the Asian tiger mosquito such a potent vector (carrier) of illness.
Mosquitoes are not born carrying any particular illness, but when they randomly feed on a vast variety of creatures, is creates a hazard. Asian tiger mosquitoes are known carriers of disease including:
- West Nile Virus which is primarily transmitted through infected birds
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis which has crossed over from horses to humans
- Chikungunya Virus which is epidemic in the Caribbean and localized in Florida in July 2014
- Malaria, the world’s deadliest virus, which which kills 500,000 people a year, mainly children
- Yellow fever which is mainly limited to tropical regions
- Dengue fever which is also restricted predominantly to the tropics
Battling the Bugs
There are some effective things for mosquito control that you can do to help keep the Asian tiger mosquito population reduced here in the North Shore. For example, you can tip over any standing buckets of water in your yard. Our good North Shore Mosquito Abatement District takes this a step further and asks if you notice standing water (that you can’t easily tip over) to notify them, so that they can be of assistance. Tossing out old piles of debris, including any tires or containers that easily hold water prevents your home from becoming an unwanted breeding ground. The single most effective thing that you can do; however, is to treat your property with a barrier spray that will protect you, your family, friends, and pets from mosquitoes.
At Mosquito Squad of the North Shore we offer an effective barrier spray program that eliminates 85% – 90% of mosquitoes, including the Asian tiger mosquito. Our seasonal spray package is EPA registered and covers your entire yard, not just the perimeter of your home. It is also guaranteed to work: no bugs, no bites, no kidding! We stand behind our work and are the trusted providers of service to more than 1,500 local families for mosquito control North Shore. Don’t let Asian tiger mosquitoes and other pests ruin your Spring and Summer this season. With Mosquito Squad of the North Shore, reliable, professional, safe protection is close at hand.