Did you know that medical and insect professionals deem mosquitoes the most dangerous specimens on earth? These bugs do more than just annoy people with their persistent buzzing. Ruined outdoor activities are the least of worries with them. When mosquitoes land on animal and human skin, they suck blood. Then, they travel to the next victim. Doing this fosters the spread of diseases and particularly deadly ones at that.
What’s further concerning is that there are things humans do and have that draw mosquitoes in. Houston residents need to know what these attractions are, so they can avoid unnecessary exposure. Getting the rundown on prevention and extermination methods by Romney Pest Control is a beneficial experience. Health and safety are on the line. Learn the three ways folks inadvertently attract mosquitoes.
1. Body Fluids & Chemicals
Mosquitoes are after blood because it’s necessary for their egg production. There is research to suggest that the bugs prefer Type O blood. They can detect blood type because humans emit revealing substances. Since they like warmth, higher body temperatures also appeal to them. Our sweat consists of ammonia and acids that drive mosquitoes wild. The blood and hormones of pregnant women is also a mosquito magnet.
2. What People Eat & Wear
If one consumes alcohol, some evidence will come through the skin. Mosquitoes gravitate toward this. Aside from smells, these critters often lock onto their targets through sight. Wearing darker shades, such as black and blue, makes you an easier target.
3. Where People Live
Water is an essential asset for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes will swarm around standing pools. If you live near a lake, swamp, marsh, river, or ocean, you’ll likely have a mosquito issue.
Mosquito Behavior & Prevention
Mosquitoes vary in size, from ⅛ to 3/8 of an inch. They have long, thin legs, a defined nose, and a pair of clear wings. The females feed on blood to nourish their eggs, while both males and females rely on nectar as a their primary food source. All are highly active at sunset. They get inside properties through open windows and doors. Dark areas that aren’t very busy are where they like to hide. You’ll probably find them in laundry rooms and closets, and around sinks. Mosquito bites can cause:
- Skin irritation
- Intense skin inflammation or swelling
- Encephalitis
- West Nile virus
- Zika virus
Ways to prevent mosquitoes include:
- Spraying an applicable pesticide on the lawn and around the property
- Burning essential oil candles, with ingredients such as peppermint, clove, and rosemary
- Setting mosquito traps, which must be cleaned regularly
- Routinely drying pet water bowls, bird feeders, and pools to eliminate standing water
- Placing greenery several feet from the front door, and keeping it well maintained
- Maintaining the cleanliness of vents and gutters
Romney Pest Control Mosquito Service
While the previously mentioned prevention steps can be helpful, they are only moderately effective. Insecticides can be tricky to use, and you may end up applying them incorrectly. Even when done right, these products only provide temporary relief. In some cases, the mosquitoes are resistant to pesticides. It’s the same for the average retail trap. The oils in candles may function as a repellent, but the carbon monoxide of the flame does not. Mosquitoes are equally attracted to the biproduct of this gas.
Romney Pest Control has industrial-grade devices, activated by insured and licensed technicians. We’ll treat your Houston yard and the other spaces where mosquito activity is underway. We’ll make it so your property is less attractive to these frustrating and lethal bugs.
We have the expertise, and several Angie’s List awards to prove it. We also have a high rating with the Better Business Bureau. Call us today and receive a free quote!
