Are mosquitoes causing problems for you and your family? These pesky insects can quickly become troubling because some species can lay hundreds of eggs in the span of a few weeks.
It’s important for homeowners to understand the life cycle of mosquitoes so that they can treat them at each stage. The best way to reduce populations of mosquitoes is to control mosquito eggs along with treating for adults.
Mosquito eggs typically hatch into larvae within a few days of being laid; however, some will remain in their eggs to wait out cold weather. Mosquitoes hatch in water and go through the stages of larvae and pupae before becoming adults. Once adults, they fly and mate.
They are thousands of mosquito species, and one problematic species are the Aedes mosquito. Aedes mosquitoes are known as “ankle biters” because they prefer to bite human ankles. They can also live and mate indoors, which makes them more annoying for homeowners, especially since they can carry diseases.
Finally, a few at-home remedies can soothe mosquito bites, such as applying toothpaste to the bite.
If mosquitoes are on your property, contact a pest control specialist. These pests reproduce rapidly, so it is best to implement prevention methods early.
How Long for Mosquito Eggs To Hatch?
The mosquito life cycle varies based on weather and location. For example, some mosquito eggs will hatch only a few days after they are laid, while others will remain in their eggs to wait out cold weather and hatch when it gets warm.
The mosquito life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. When eggs hatch quickly, the entire life cycle can take only eight to ten days. Eggs are laid on the surface of water or damp soil and then submerged in water to hatch.
Once hatched, mosquito larvae eat microorganisms in the water. They either use a siphon tube to breathe or surface to the top of the water. Larvae molt three times before becoming pupae, which is a process that takes around five days.
The pupal stage is similar to when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly in a cocoon. It is a resting phase in which they do not feed but can move around a little. At the end of the pupal stages, which lasts two to three days, mosquitoes shed their skins and become adults.
Once adults, mosquitoes spend a few days on the water’s surface to dry out and let their bodies harden. When their wings are dry, they fly off and begin mating. Only female mosquitoes bite human beings. Female mosquitoes seek out human or animal blood after they mate with males because they need the proteins in animal blood for their eggs to develop.
After mosquitoes hatch, this entire life cycle process can take as little as ten days in 80-degree Fahrenheit temperatures or around a month in colder weather.
Understanding The Mosquito Life Cycle
It’s important for homeowners to be acquainted with all parts of the mosquito life cycle because reducing a mosquito population requires taking measures to treat them at all life cycle phases. For example, collected water in buckets, puddles or dog bowls can become prime places for mosquitoes to lay eggs.
Since mosquitoes cycle through their life phases quickly, removing areas where mosquitoes can lay eggs is one of the most effective strategies for controlling them. The most effective mosquito control strategy is contacting pest control experts for a full professional-grade treatment. Pest control specialists use a variety of methods to control mosquitoes.
You can help out your pest control specialist with at-home mosquito prevention methods. For example, keep your yard free from debris and clear out rain gutters regularly. Dump out buckets of water and refresh your pet bowls regularly. Do not keep open water containers indoors or outdoors because mosquitoes can lay their eggs in them.
The best way to limit a mosquito problem on your property is to contact a professional pest control service. They will use the most effective methods to reduce the populations of these pests.
What Are Ankle Biter Mosquitoes?
Have you noticed mosquito bites on your ankles? You may have Aedes mosquitoes, also known as “ankle biters.”
Aedes mosquitoes are dark-colored mosquitoes with white markings on their bodies and white bands on their legs. They prefer to bite humans, which is why they frequently end up indoors.
Female Aedes mosquitoes bite humans during the day, with peak activity at dusk and dawn, and lay eggs around three days later. They lay eggs in water containers and prefer shady spots. Even though the eggs thrive in water, they can survive in dry areas for long periods, which makes it harder to minimize their populations.
Unlike other mosquito species, Aedes mosquitoes actually prefer mating and laying eggs indoors. They are aggressive biters and usually bite more than one person. Aedes mosquitoes are known for carrying several diseases, such as the Zika virus, yellow fever virus, chikungunya virus and dengue virus.
This species is abundant in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. They are extremely common in the southern United States, including Texas and Florida. Even though their life span is only around two weeks, they can lay eggs three times and produce up to 300 offspring.
Clear out all stagnant water to limit the population growth of Aedes mosquitoes. Refresh flower vases and pet water bowls often. You can also install screens on your doors and windows and use mosquito repellent to prevent them from biting you.
The best way to limit mosquito activity is to contact professional help. A pest control specialist can implement multiple mosquito control measures to limit the number of these pests buzzing around your yard.
Does Toothpaste Soothe Mosquito Bites?
Mosquito bites can become painful and itchy. One surprising way to soothe them is to apply a small amount of toothpaste to the bite.
Toothpaste can be an effective disinfectant, antimicrobial and antiseptic. It can improve the swelling and itchiness of a mosquito bite. The menthol in toothpaste also adds a cooling effect that helps with pain and irritation.
There are also several other home remedies for dealing with mosquito bites, such as applying ice and heat, using baking soda, a tea bag or aloe vera. However, if your mosquito bites continue to itch, swell and cause pain, you should contact a healthcare professional.
Mosquito bites can cause the skin to swell and turn red, and they can look like puffy blisters. After a day or so, the bumps harden and turn a reddish-brown color. They can cause a low-grade fever or swollen lymph nodes. Some people will break out in hives when they get bitten. Over-the-counter medications can also help to reduce the symptoms of mosquito bites.
While mosquito bites are uncomfortable for everyone, they can sometimes become serious for children and people with immune system disorders.
Preventing Mosquito Bites
The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to use proactive prevention methods. For example, wearing long sleeves and long pants gives mosquitoes fewer opportunities to bite you. There are also several effective mosquito repellents you can apply to your skin. Some clothing even comes treated with insect repellent.
The best way to minimize the chance of mosquito bites is to limit mosquito population growth around your property. Contact a pest control professional for expert-grade solutions.
A professional can also advise you on more prevention methods that you can use to complement their treatments, like avoiding wearing colors that mosquitoes are attracted to.
While there are several effective ways to soothe mosquito bites on your own, you should still contact a healthcare professional if they do not go away after three to ten days.
Deter Mosquitoes Today
Mosquitoes cycle through their life phases quickly and reproduce in large amounts, so they can quickly become a nightmare for homeowners. Luckily, there are effective ways to deter mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites.
Understanding the life cycle of mosquitoes and the species that are infesting your home is the first step to lowering their populations. However, the best way to reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property is to contact a professional pest control service.
ABC Can Reduce Mosquito Populations on Your Property
If you’re ready for some relief from mosquitoes, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our professionals will create a customized mosquito control plan. This way, you and your family members can feel more at ease in your outside space again.
