Mosquitoes
Most of us have experienced that all too familiar sting right before we hear the culprit buzz away and are left with an itchy, swelling bug bite. With their devious tendencies and diseases, mosquitoes are among the most annoying and dangerous insects to deal with. What's worse is that, according to the CDC, there are over 3,500 different species around the world.
So, what makes this buzzing pest so dangerous? One reason is that they can be vectors. Vectors are animals, insects, or ticks, which spread germs to people or other animals. There is some relief in knowing that some bite but do not spread germs. These are called nuisance mosquitoes, and that name seems to fit them quite well.
One interesting fact about these blood-sucking insects is that if you were bitten by one, it was female. Males usually rely on plants for their meals, but females need to feed on blood before they can lay their eggs. Also, if you are wondering why you are left with an itchy bump after they buzz off, it is because the female's saliva contains an anticoagulant that allows her to get much more blood with each bite. It then causes an allergic response when it interacts with her victim's immune system, namely us. Some notable people like our first president George Washington and his wife Martha were bitten by mosquitoes and actually contracted malaria from their bites.
Interestingly enough, the impact that they have on us goes well past just leaving a trail of bites up and down our arms and legs. Without control, we face more public health issues. Rift Valley Fever and Chikungunya Virus are diseases that have spread rapidly throughout Europe, and the species of mosquitoes that transmit these diseases are commonly found in the United States. These pests are also responsible for spreading other diseases like Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Encephalitis Viruses, and many more. With mosquitoes targeting animals as well, there can be an impact on domestic animals and wildlife. Dogs, for example, suffer from Canine Heartworm, which is transmitted by Culex Mosquitoes. In addition to affecting humans, West Nile Virus has threatened already endangered avian species like the Florida Scrub-Jay, the California Condor, and Whooping Cranes.
It is clear that mosquitoes are a dangerous nuisance, but it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom if we take the right precautions. Because they can breed in as little as 1/4 inch of standing water, it is very important to eliminate containers that can act as a breeding ground. Checking the rain gutters and draining your pool when it is not in use is vital to avoid an infestation. They also like to rest in tall grass or among shrubs in a moist, shady spot, so be sure to keep your grass short and rake up fallen leaves. Did you know that an overturned leaf can hold enough water for a mosquito's eggs, so keeping your yard clean will help keep them under control.
In addition to taking these precautionary measures, there is something else you can do to keep your home mosquito-free, and that is to put your trust in the pest control experts: Cardinal Insect & Pest Solutions, LLC. Here at Cardinal Insect, we pride ourselves on eliminating dangerous pests through our array of services. It is clear that insects like mosquitoes pose many health risks, so we only use precise applications of tried and true traditional pest management techniques. Your family's peace of mind is our number one priority. Give us a call today so that we can keep them protected.
