Mosquitoes are annoying pests that can make it hard to enjoy the outdoors. Some people think they can try to starve mosquitoes before spending time outside. This might sound like a good idea, but it doesn’t work when it comes to controlling mosquitoes.
How Long Can Mosquitoes Live Without Food?
Many homeowners wonder if they can get rid of mosquitoes by starving them out, especially in Texas during mosquito season. However, trying to starve out mosquitoes is not an effective pest control plan.
For one, there isn’t a clear-cut answer for how long mosquitoes can survive without food. Since male and female mosquitoes mainly survive on sugary foods like nectar from plants, fruit juices and other natural sugars, it would be nearly impossible to make sure the mosquitoes on your property aren’t getting food.
Many people don’t realize that only female mosquitoes bite people or animals. Female mosquitoes bite people because they need blood to lay eggs. If a mosquito bites you, it’s a female. Male mosquitoes don’t bite people or animals at all.
Can You Starve Mosquitoes?
Another reason trying to starve mosquitoes won’t work is that they reproduce very quickly. A single female mosquito can lay up to 200 eggs at one time. New generations are constantly emerging if you have a mosquito infestation around your home.
In addition, there are several factors like temperature, humidity, species and access to water that will affect how long a mosquito can live without food.
The Best Way to Control Mosquitoes
The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to target them at every stage of their life. Some species, like the Asian tiger mosquito, behave differently, so knowing what type of mosquito you are dealing with can help. But no matter the species, controlling just the adult mosquitoes isn’t enough. You must also treat areas where eggs and larvae are present to keep their population from growing.
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, where the larvae live until they become adults. Removing sources of standing water around your home can play a big part in stopping them from breeding.
Here are some common places where mosquitoes lay eggs:
- Birdbaths
- Clogged gutters
- Flowerpot trays
- Wheelbarrows
- Pet water bowls
To keep mosquitoes from getting inside your home, use screens on windows and doors. When spending time outside, wear mosquito repellent and long sleeves and pants to cover your skin.
While these steps help, the best way to get rid of mosquitoes is to call in a pest control professional. Experts can find where mosquitoes are breeding and treat them at every stage of their lives. If you have a mosquito problem, contact a local pest control company to control them.
What Eats Mosquitoes the Most?
What animals eat the most mosquitoes in Texas? Mosquitoes have many natural predators, including bats, birds, dragonflies and frogs.
Bats
Bats are the biggest threat to mosquitoes. A single bat, pictured above, can eat thousands of mosquitoes in just one hour. Some species, like the little brown bat, are especially good at hunting mosquitoes.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies, pictured above, are another major mosquito predator. They eat both adult mosquitoes and mosquito larvae. Even in their younger nymph stage, dragonflies feed on mosquito larvae in water.
Birds
Several types of birds also eat mosquitoes, including swallows, pictured above, purple martins and nighthawks. However, birds prefer bigger insects, so they only eat mosquitoes when other food is scarce.
Amphibians
Some amphibians, like frogs and newts, pictured above, eat mosquitoes too. While adult frogs may eat a few mosquitoes, they mostly target mosquito larvae in water. For example, the giant tree frog sometimes eats mosquito larvae, and green tree frogs may consume them when they are still tadpoles.
Fish
Fish, such as goldfish, pictured above, and mosquito fish, also eat mosquito larvae when they are young. However, as they grow, they switch to eating other prey.
Spiders
Lastly, spiders can help by catching mosquitoes in their webs. While they don’t actively hunt mosquitoes, a spider, pictured above, may eat them if they get stuck in their web.
Should You Try to Attract Mosquito Eaters to Your Yard?
Some homeowners wonder if they can attract mosquito-eaters like frogs and dragonflies to their yards to help control the mosquito population. Unfortunately, this is not a reliable way to get rid of mosquitoes.
Here’s why:
- These animals eat more than just mosquitoes, so they won’t focus only on hunting them.
- They can’t eat mosquitoes fast enough to keep up with how quickly mosquitoes reproduce.
- Even large mosquito predators, like bats, won’t be able to completely control the problem.
The Best Way to Control Mosquitoes
The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to work with a pest control service. A professional can find and control mosquitoes, from eggs to adults, at every stage of their life.
While natural predators can help a little, they aren’t enough to control a mosquito infestation. At-home methods like removing standing water can be helpful, but they work best alongside professional pest control services.
How Do I Make Myself Less Attractive to Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes can significantly reduce your ability to enjoy time outdoors. Understanding what mosquitoes do with blood can help. Female mosquitoes feed on blood to produce eggs. Various factors can attract mosquitoes, making some individuals more appealing targets.
Luckily, there are several ways to make yourself less attractive to mosquitoes so that you can enjoy your outdoor space without worrying about painful mosquito bites.
The first thing you should do is wear protective clothing when you’re outside. The goal is to cover your skin so mosquitoes have fewer opportunities to bite you. Loose-fitting long sleeves and pants create a barrier between mosquitoes and your skin. You can also consider wearing light or neutral-colored clothing since mosquitoes are most attracted to dark colors. Wear closed-toed shoes and socks instead of sandals or flip-flops to protect your feet from mosquito bites.
Next, insect repellents with active ingredients like DEET or picaridin can help keep mosquitoes away from you.
While all of these tips can make you less attractive to mosquitoes, it’s still important to deal with the mosquito problem on your property. Mosquito attraction can be influenced by various factors, so addressing the root cause is crucial. Contact a local pest control service to inspect your home. An expert can locate the areas where mosquitoes are breeding.
From there, they can treat the current mosquito infestation and put prevention methods in place to deter these pests from coming back in the future.
Control Mosquitoes With Expert Help
Having a mosquito population on your property is a nuisance that is difficult to handle on your own. It’s important to partner with a pest control professional to control mosquitoes.
An expert will address the population at every life stage and help you with prevention methods.
ABC Can Help With Your Mosquito Problem
Between the numerous diseases that mosquitoes can transmit and the itchiness of mosquito bites, it’s understandable to want as few of these pests on your property as possible. With the help of the mosquito control specialists at ABC Home & Commercial Services, your home and yard can be a safe haven from these pests. We’ll put measures in place to halt the mosquitoes’ reproductive cycle, as well as eliminate adult mosquitoes and offer you advice on how to make your home less appealing to these annoying pests.
