Everything Jacksonville Residents Need To Know About Mosquitoes

It is hard to get away from mosquitoes in Jacksonville. Perhaps you've noticed. But you don't have to live with mosquitoes driving you crazy in your yard. There are ways to reduce mosquitoes so much that it feels like your yard is mosquito-free. It takes a controlled effort, but we'll walk you through it. Join us as we give you a quick guide to the science of mosquitoes, share some smart mosquito bite prevention tips, and tell you what is required to keep mosquitoes away for good. If you've been looking for one concise article for mosquito tips and insights, you've found it. If you're looking for a fast solution for mosquitoes and don't want to spend time reading sciency mosquito stuff, remember that your Wildlife and Pest Control Experts use industry-leading pest control solutions to address mosquitoes and other pests. Give us a call to schedule a one-time mosquito treatment or seasonal mosquito control for your Jacksonville property.

Mosquitoes 101: Biology, Behaviors, Bites, And Disease Transmission

The biology and behavior of mosquitoes are somewhat mysterious if you have not spent any time researching these insects. It can seem like mosquitoes go from yard to yard. They notice you step out of your home, buzz over, lock onto you, land, and bite. Does that sound right? Actually, this description couldn't be further from reality. If you hope to prevent mosquitoes in Jacksonville, it is critical that you know the basics of mosquito biology and behavior. Here is what really happens.

• A mosquito flies into your yard searching for food. Since it eats nectar and plant sap, it is drawn to the plants in your yard. Yes. You read that correctly. Mosquitoes do not survive on blood meals.
• If the mosquito that randomly flies into your yard is a female mosquito with eggs, she can lay those eggs on your property. She only needs one inch of water to do this.
• The hundred eggs laid on your property hatch into tiny larvae called wrigglers. These are water-bound and do not fly around in search of food. They feed on organisms in stagnant water.
• The wrigglers mature and turn into pupae called tumblers. These are also water-bound. They don't fly around in your yard or bite you. If you pour water out before they mature into adults, you can stop a swarm from appearing on your property. 
• When the mosquitoes in the stagnant water mature into adults, they take flight. Is this when they bite you? Perhaps. But maybe not. They have other things on their mind, like finding a humid, shady spot to rest. Mosquitoes are simple organisms that dry out easily. They're also poor fliers. Most of their day is spent resting. So, the mosquitoes will quickly locate ideal resting locations on your property.
• After resting, will they look to bite you? Perhaps. But male and female mosquitoes need energy, particularly to keep themselves flying. The next thing on their mind is finding nectar and plant sap. Some mosquitoes may wander off your property in search of food, but most will stay close to where they hatched.
• After finding food, will they look to bite you? Maybe not. Female mosquitoes are the only mosquitoes that bite. They do so for the purpose of egg production, and they only do so after mating with the males. 
• After mating, will mosquitoes actively roam your yard looking for a blood meal? They might. But they are more likely to rest in your landscape vegetation, watching for a human or animal to come close. But they don't actually watch; they sense. Mosquitoes have poor vision. So they'll use their other senses to detect you.
• How do mosquitoes detect you? At first, they'll sense the carbon dioxide you exhale. That leads them to you. Then, they'll fly close to smell the sweat and sense the heat rising off your skin. They hover near and use the silhouette of your body against the bright sky or your dark clothing to land on your skin. It is at this point that they bite you.    
• When a mosquito bites you, it pushes its proboscis into your skin, administers an anticoagulant within its saliva, and draws the blood out. The anticoagulant makes the job easy and you may not even notice when a mosquito bites you.
• During the biting process, a mosquito may introduce you to a virus. But, not all types of mosquitoes are able to spread viruses. The ones that do spread viruses are not able to spread all of them. For example, Culex mosquitoes spread West Nile virus, Aedes mosquitoes spread Zika virus, and Anopheles mosquitoes spread malaria.
• Most mosquito bites only lead to irritating wounds, and no disease is transmitted. But it is still irritating to get a mosquito bite because your body sends histamine to the bite wound to fight off what it perceives as a biological attack. Histamine is what causes the rash, swelling, and itchy sensation.
• After drawing a meal, a female mosquito will attempt to lay a hundred eggs in your yard. Each and every female mosquito can do this, so it doesn't take long for a mosquito problem to escalate.

Now that you know how mosquitoes bite you, can you guess why your mosquito control isn't working or how to make it more effective? We're going to connect the dots in a minute. First, let's look at one more factor.

Why Mosquitoes Are A Year-Round Concern For Jacksonville Homeowners

Mosquitoes are typically a summer pest problem for most of the other states in the continental United States. They are warm-weather friends. But how cold is cold to a mosquito? A mosquito can survive temperatures above 50 degrees. When temperatures climb to around 70, they'll become active. But they don't hibernate during the winter when temperatures drop. Any day that is above 70 degrees will bring these pests back to life. That is a critical fact to understand. When you work to reduce mosquitoes in your yard, you have to stay vigilant all year long to prevent mosquito bites in Jacksonville.

Mosquito Prevention Strategies For Every Time Of Year

You are now almost an expert on mosquitoes and mosquito bites. How can you use what you've learned to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard all year long? The secret is to target mosquito breeding. Unfortunately, Jacksonville residents often turn to repellents for relief and protection. Perhaps you do this as well. Do you apply mosquito repellent on your skin or clothing? Do you have candles or torches? Do you own a bug zapper? Do you use outdoor plants that repel mosquitoes, like citronella grass, scented geraniums, marigold flowers, lavender, or rosemary? Repellents don't work well because female mosquitoes aren't easily deterred. You're not depriving them of a meal. You're keeping them from drawing blood for the purpose of reproduction. They aren't going to let a stinky smell stop them. Most of the time, repellents only work to disorient female mosquitoes and make it harder for them to lock onto your scent. But they have other ways of finding your skin and landing on you. The real solution to preventing mosquito bites is to make it harder for mosquitoes to find viable locations to lay eggs in your yard. Imagine a yard with zero breeding sites. What would happen in two months when all the mosquitoes die off? You would only have a few random mosquito visitors on your property rather than a swarm. Minimize areas mosquitoes with the following tips:

• Store objects indoors that could collect rainwater.
• Turn objects over, such as kiddie pools, when they're not in use.
• Bring cups and bowls inside.
• Pick up toys.
• Keep your gutters clear to reduce puddles near your home.
• Pour water sources out, such as water that collects in plant pots.
• Install water circulation in bird baths and other water sources so that they aren't stagnant.

Steps like these can make a big difference. But, it isn't easy to control mosquito breeding sites, and more control is needed when mosquito pressures are high. That is why Jacksonville residents get professional mosquito control.

What To Do If Mosquitoes Have Overtaken Your Jacksonville Property

Life gets busy. Who has time to deal with mosquito control? You want to come home from work and go out into your yard and enjoy your time off. Contact Wildlife and Pest Control Experts for professional mosquito control in Jacksonville. The treatments we apply break the life cycle by eliminating adult mosquitoes in your yard. We typically come once a month to knock down all adults in their resting places. If you notice mosquito activity between visits, we can come back and perform another service for free. We also evaluate your property and help you understand the conditions that make mosquito control a challenge.

Are you in Jacksonville? Call, text, or email us to request a service visit or to learn about our programs and pricing. The secret to mosquito control is to target the core of the issue and prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your property. Let our team help you get the best results possible. Connect with us today.