With the mosquito populations worse than they have ever been, and the recent media firestorm surrounding the Zika virus, 2016 is proving to be the year of the mosquito. In fact, Bulwark Exterminating is being flooded with daily calls from people looking for relief from these pesky, blood-sucking pests.
The truth is that these pests are a major concern due to the diseases they transmit how they can negatively affect an economy by preventing outdoor recreation and production due to their significant annoyance.
The good news is that mosquitoes can be successfully managed through diligent efforts from both property owners and pest management professionals.
Here’s what you need to know about these annoying yet dangerous pests; your 2016 mosquito guide:
Understanding The Mosquito Basics
Both male and female adult mosquitoes feed on the nectar from plants to obtain nutrients to survive. Female mosquitoes also require the protein found in the blood of animals to support the production of eggs. Male mosquitoes do not require blood meals and therefor do not bite. Between the many species of mosquitoes, females can feed on human and animal blood both day and night.
Mosquito eggs must be laid in standing water to develop, and the eggs typically tend to hatch in just 1 to 3 days. Any object that is capable of retaining water for seven or more days is a potential production site for mosquitoes. This may include cans, rain barrels, and old tires. Under optimum conditions, a female mosquito can produce 50-500 eggs in her first brood.
Diseases Transmitted By Mosquitoes
It is said that mosquitoes pose a greater threat to human health and existence than any other animal worldwide. Malaria and Yellow Fever account for about 1,060,000 deaths per year worldwide. Although these diseases rarely occur in the US, these numbers are rising and outbreaks are expanding.
Some diseases that occur in the US as a result of mosquito bites include:
- West Nile Virus – Few cases have caused fatal neurological disease in humans.
- Zika Fever – A disease that can cause birth defects in pregnant women.
- Dengue – An illness caused by a virus that is spread through mosquito bites. Causes flu like symptoms and in rare cases leads to death.
Read the other half of this article on Blog Pest Control here: http://bit.ly/2gK5ZWN