What You Should Know About The Mosquitoes Living In Blacksburg

Everyone enjoys an evening barbecue in the backyard with family and friends, but nothing can ruin that wonderful experience faster than a swarm of mosquitoes. These bloodthirsty insects are a common pest problem here in Blacksburg. To make matters worse, mosquitoes are considered one of the most dangerous pests in the world. They are known to carry such diseases as the West Nile virus, dengue, and Eastern equine encephalitis.

Mosquitoes are also on the list of pests that are very difficult to control. A professional treatment and prevention plan by a Blacksburg pest control company is highly recommended. All Pest Control & Solutions is a family-owned business, and we're dedicated to protecting your home and family from mosquitoes and any other pest problems you may come across.

What Attracts Mosquitoes

One of the factors that most attracts mosquitoes is, unfortunately, something you can't do anything about. Your blood is what these pests may be seeking the most. Without the blood of a warm-blooded animal, mosquitoes can’t breed. Female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite, while male mosquitoes feed mostly on the juices of plants like nectar. Which brings up other things that attract mosquitoes to your yard.

Many people don’t think of mosquitoes as an important part of our ecosystem, but they are great pollinators. Many types of flowering plants and fruit trees can act as magnets for mosquitoes. Cutting down on these types of plants towards your landscaping theme can help to deter mosquitoes.

Water is another thing that will attract mosquitoes. The female lays her eggs in pools of standing water, moist soil, and areas that will accumulate water. Eliminating these types of places on your property can go a long way in mosquito prevention.

How Long Do Mosquitoes Live?

The lifespan of a mosquito can vary greatly depending on several factors: the species of mosquito, the condition and temperature of the water the eggs are laid in, and their environmental conditions. Once the female lays her eggs, it can take anywhere from four days to four weeks to hatch. They then emerge from the eggs as larvae, called “wrigglers.” From there the larvae develop into pupae, the third stage of the mosquito's life cycle. All of these initial stages of life take place in the water. The adult mosquito will then emerge from the pupa case. Most adult mosquitoes typically only live for two to three weeks, but there have been known cases of mosquitoes living in areas like garages for up to six months.

Will Mosquitoes Bite Your Pets?

Your pets are most definitely one of the menu items of the mosquito. In fact, mosquitoes can pose a serious health risk to your pets. Mosquitoes are well known for infecting dogs with heartworms. Cats can also get heartworms, but they are not as susceptible to them as dogs. When an infected mosquito bites a dog, immature worms called microfilaria are injected into the dog's bloodstream. These worms then settle in the heart and in about two months they begin to grow. It can be a very serious and deadly condition for animals. Pets can also be affected by some of the diseases mosquitoes transmit to humans, but it is rare.

How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes On Your Blacksburg Property

There are many home remedies that claim to help control the mosquito population on your property. Bug zappers, citronella candles, mosquito repelling plants, and essential oils are just a few examples of techniques people try in their attempt in getting rid of mosquitoes, with limited results. Your best bet to successfully control mosquitoes is to call in the professionals. All Pest Control & Solutions has the experience and knowledge to handle your mosquito issues. Give us a call to learn about our mosquito control service plans.