As a homeowner, do you know what attracts these pests and how to deter mosquitoes from your property? Mosquitoes are annoying pests that seek out humans and animals as hosts. It’s important to understand what mosquitoes are attracted to so that you can take steps to avoid them.
The best way to deal with mosquitoes is to call in pest control professionals. An expert can control mosquitoes on your property.
What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?
Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans and animals emit when they exhale. These pests use their receptors to pick up on the carbon dioxide in the air, and they use their vision to find people and animals.
Their impressive receptors, located on their antennae, allow them to detect carbon dioxide from a great distance. Once they fly into the vicinity of a host, they rely on their vision to land on the host.
Mosquito vision is not as strong as their receptors or other senses, such as their sense of smell. However, it is sharp enough to locate their targets and secure their next blood meal. The mosquito’s vision helps them to hone in on humans and animals based on color and shape.
Another method that mosquitoes use to find a host is sensing body heat. People who ar working out outside are more likely to attract mosquitoes because their rapid breathing emits more carbon dioxide, and their elevated body temperature makes them more identifiable as a mosquito host.
Additionally, the more you move around, the easier it is for mosquitoes to tell you apart from your background. In order to continue enjoying outdoor exercise and avoid mosquito bites, it can be helpful to avoid timing your workouts when mosquitoes are most active. The times to avoid are dawn, dusk and early evening.
How To Control a Mosquito Problem
Are you dealing with a stubborn mosquito infestation on your property? If you feel like you’ve tried everything you can do on your own and haven’t seen any change, it’s likely because your at-home methods are not effective enough to control the entire mosquito population.
The only way to control the whole population is to target the mosquitoes at every life stage. Most at-home solutions only address adult mosquitoes.
However, mosquitoes reproduce rapidly, which is why you must also address their early life stages. If you don’t, the problem will continue and get worse over time.
Professional solutions address mosquitoes at all life stages, including the egg, larva, pupa and adult phases. If you want to control mosquitoes, the best thing you can do is contact a professional.
A pest control specialist will have the expertise to deal with the problem, so you can enjoy being outside again.
Should You Use an Essential Oil for Mosquito Repellent?
At-home and do-it-yourself solutions are not the best ways to get rid of a mosquito infestation. However, there are some things you can do to deter mosquitoes and prevent an infestation.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that using essential oils may help repel these annoying pests. Peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, basil, bergamot and citronella oils may offer some relief.
If you want to try this natural mosquito repellent method, simply apply the oil to your skin topically. Remember to dilute the essential oil and avoid getting it in your eyes. You could also try diffusing the oil or making a DIY spray.
Keep in mind that while essential oils may help repel mosquitoes to a certain extent, they have limitations and are not a tried-and-true method. For more reliable mosquito repellent methods, it’s important to partner with a local pest control specialist. An expert will assess your property and offer personalized solutions to help with your mosquito infestation.
How To Make Your Home Less Attractive to Mosquitoes
When working with a pest control specialist, they will likely recommend making a few changes to your property to make it less inviting to mosquitoes. For example, because mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, it’s important to eliminate it from your property as much as possible.
In fact, standing water serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Inspect your property for puddles, buckets or wheelbarrows of water, clogged gutters and other areas with built-up stagnant water. Certain lawn decor, such as bird baths and fountains, can also attract mosquitoes.
Additionally, if you have pets, empty their outdoor water bowls on a regular basis and inspect them for mosquito eggs. The more standing water you can eliminate, the less likely that mosquitoes will be able to breed on your property.
Next, mosquitoes like to rest in tall vegetation. Keeping your trees, bushes, shrubbery and other plants neat and trimmed can remove their hiding places.
If you’re dealing with a frustrating indoor mosquito problem, it’s crucial to inspect your home for their entry points. Seal up any cracks and holes in your doors and windows to keep these pests out.
Lastly, mosquitoes are attracted to light, which is why they often congregate on porches and patios. To make your outdoor space less appealing to them, try installing yellow bug lights.
These changes, combined with professional pest control treatments, can go a long way toward restoring a peaceful environment for you and your family to enjoy.
What To Know About Mosquito Bites and Swelling
Mosquito bites affect everyone differently; however, some people experience intense and uncomfortable swelling after a bite. Other symptoms of a bad reaction to a mosquito bite include redness, pain and itchiness.
If you are experiencing a bad reaction to a mosquito bite, follow the steps below to help reduce the swelling and irritation:
- Wash the affected area with gentle soap and water
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth to the irritated area for ten minutes
- Continue applying the ice pack in ten-minute increments if the swelling and pain persist
Washing the bites will help clear away irritants and reduce the likelihood of an infection. Applying an ice pack will help reduce the swelling by constricting the blood vessels. It will also numb the irritated area and offer relief from the pain and itchiness.
There are more ways to alleviate mosquito bites, including applying an anti-itch cream or taking an antihistamine. Additionally, it’s important to avoid scratching mosquito bites to avoid irritating them further. Some homeowners find it helpful to wear long sleeves or pants to deter them from scratching their bites.
When To Get Professional Medical Treatment for Mosquito Bites
Most mosquito bites can be treated at home with the protocol listed above; however, in rare cases, a mosquito bite can turn into an intense infection. Seek medical treatment when the following occurs:
- The swelling spreads to other parts of your body or expands rapidly
- You experience difficulty breathing or swallowing
- The itchiness, redness and swelling persist or get worse, despite following the above recommendations
- The mosquito bites ooze pus, feel warm and/or look extremely red
The above symptoms are signs of a severe allergic reaction to mosquito bites and should not be taken lightly. As female adult mosquitoes can transmit a variety of diseases, it’s crucial to seek medical treatment right away.
The next step is to deal with the mosquito problem on your property to avoid more bites in the future. Contact a pest control specialist to get your peace of mind back.
Control Mosquitoes With Help From the Experts
It’s tempting to want to deal with mosquitoes on your own with quick, do-it-yourself fixes. However, the only way to control an entire mosquito population is to target the mosquitoes at every phase of their life cycle. Pest control specialists have the professional tools needed to thoroughly control an entire mosquito population.
Working with an expert is the best way to avoid annoying mosquito bites. Remember that any severe reactions to mosquito bites should be treated with medical care. To reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property, contact a pest control specialist.
ABC Can Reduce Mosquito Populations on Your Property
Don’t let pesky mosquitoes ruin your time outdoors. For a multi-tiered approach to mosquito control, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. We will create a pest treatment plan that best suits your yard and needs. They can also provide you with advice on mosquito prevention for your yard.
