Mosquitoes are tiny insects with long thin legs and transparent wings. Most mosquitoes are less than half an inch in length and distinguished from other true flies by their long mouthparts, called a proboscis. Only female mosquitoes use this specialized mouthpart to pierce the skin and locate blood vessels. Male mosquitoes don’t feed on blood and will use their proboscis for drinking nectar from flowers and other plants instead.
Why Mosquitoes Are Attracted To Some People More Than Others
Female mosquitoes must feed on blood to nourish their eggs. However, they don’t just choose their targets randomly. You may find yourself more or less attractive to mosquitoes depending on your scent or even your blood type. Studies show that mosquitoes are more attracted to individuals with blood type O than to those with type A. Also, the carbon dioxide you exhale is used by mosquitoes pinpoint their meals. The more you exhale, the easier it is for them to find you.
Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?
Mosquitoes insect on earth. Research shows that more than 17% of all infectious diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes worldwide. About 1 million people die from mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, West Nile fever, and yellow fever every year—with malaria causing the majority of those deaths. While fatalities caused by mosquito-borne viruses are rare in the United States, it’s still important to reduce your exposure to these deadly insects as much as possible.
Mosquito Prevention Methods
Reducing your exposure to mosquitoes can help prevent the risk of contracting a harmful disease. One of the best ways to keep mosquitoes from resting, living, and breeding on your Houston property is to remove the factors that attract them to your home. The number one thing that mosquitoes are attracted to is standing water, where they lay their eggs. To reduce your mosquito exposure, consider utilizing a few of these mosquito prevention tips:
Mosquito Prevention Methods
- Remove or cover all sources of standing water, including dumping out flower pots, clearing your gutters of debris, and filling low lying areas of your lawn.
- Wear insect repellent when you go out.
- Avoid going outdoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Keep shrubs, bushes, and other vegetation cut back from your home.
- Trim your grass short, preventing mosquito hiding spots.
- Remove tall weeds from your property.
While these prevention steps can help, they aren’t 100% effective in stopping these bloodthirsty insects. If you’re looking for a way to effectively reduce the mosquito populations on your Houston property, the best remedy is to contact a professional pest control company. Romney Pest Control offers affordable mosquito control services for Houston home and business owners. We have the knowledge and equipment necessary to find where mosquitoes are most active on your property and target treatments to those areas. For effective solutions to your mosquito and pest problems, look no further than the professional services of Romney Pest Control. Contact us today to learn more about our 6-point mosquito inspection process!
