Anytime I go into the backyard I like to think of it as a place of serenity and tranquility, however, during the spring and summer months, I always get attacked by mosquitoes. In the back of my mind, I wonder if they’ve already bit someone or something else before they bite me.
So why can’t I get rid of mosquitoes in my yard? Mosquitoes are hard to get rid of simply because the common person does not know how to treat for mosquitoes. You need to treat all trees bushes under decks and wood porches, make sure to avoid any foliage with a flower or any kind of blossom we don’t want to kill the honey bees.
Where Do Mosquitoes Come From?
Mosquitoes have been around long before we ever got here. In fact, it is said that they have been around some 200 million years in some form.
Mosquitoes are indigenous to places that have a warm moist ecosystem and will thrive in these environments. Mosquitoes like to be in places that have foliage, water mass, and they like the dark. Mosquitoes will move lazily from tree to tree and bush to bush taking breaks in between before they find a host to land on and feast. Mosquitoes love water that sits still or stagnant.
How Fast Do Mosquitoes Multiply?
The Female Mosquito lays her eggs at a rate of 100-200 eggs. Within 24-48 hours the eggs hatch, this must be done in a body of water. The larvae
With over 3,500 species of mosquito, there are only about 200 of those species that bite human beings, and of those species only the female bites. Aedes is one of the most common in the United States.
There are 4 stages for the Aedes species mosquito: egg, larvae, pupae and the adult mosquito. The entire process from start to finish takes about 10 days. Female mosquitoes lay eggs inside unused bird baths, untreated pools, watering cans, lakes, ponds slow-moving rivers and creeks and anything left out that can accumulate water. It takes 6-8 days for the egg to get to pupae stage and this entire process is done in water. Once the Pupae is matured it becomes an adult flying mosquito and this process is done in 2-3 days.
How Can I Prevent Getting Bit?
If you don’t have your yard treated or you don’t treat your yard currently for mosquitoes
There is always insect repellant, citronella candles, special lights, and traps you can set for them. If that isn’t enough here are some more tips for keeping them away.
- Keep your gutters clean and free of standing stagnant water
- Make sure there is no standing water in your yard empty and turn over all kiddie pools, don’t leave watering pots or other containers that build up water in your yard.
- Fill any holes in your yard with dirt or sod if there can be a puddle made there when it rains mosquitoes will utilize the space for breeding.
Remember you are the food when it comes to these bugs, so be proactive in creating the environment they wouldn’t want to be in.
Will Mosquitoes Bite My Pet?
Yes, in fact, mosquitoes will bite all different types of mammals, amphibians, birds, and reptiles. Any of these can be a host for a mosquito. Make sure that you protect your pets in the same way you would protect yourself. One natural way to keep mosquitoes from biting your pet is to dilute lavender oil 80%-90% and put it on their neck behind their hair just like you would a flea & tick treatment, this can also be calming for a stressed out dog. Make sure you dilute it, too much of a good thing, in this case, can be a bad thing.
Do Mosquitoes Carry Diseases?
Yes, they do! The bite from a mosquito can give the host malaria, yellow fever, west nile virus, dengue fever, and Zika virus. Mosquitoes are responsible for over 700,000 deaths worldwide each year.
How Do Exterminators Stop Mosquitoes?
Exterminators will evaluate your property, then they will use what is called a fogger (this is a leaf blower with a chemical tank attached). They use the fogger to treat all the trees and bushes around your property. As long as there are no blossoms or bird nests around they will spray those areas liberally. The reason they don’t spray flowers or blossoms is to preserve the honey bee colonies. Exterminators will also spray under unfinished porches and decks. As the season progresses your technician will see any bushes where the blossoms have wilted are okay at this point to spray for mosquitoes as the honey bees have moved on to flowers that are still producing nectar for them.
The technician during their service will be sure to avoid any water areas such as:
- Pools
- Ponds
- Bird Baths
- Creeks
- Rivers
- Puddles
Now to treat those areas listed above the technician will use small black pellets that are safe in all water sources but are bad news for mosquito eggs, larvae, and pupae.
Mosquito services are generally performed monthly the cost of an annual service will depend on where you live but will range between $300 – $700 dollars annually.
Pest Insider Secret – Did you know you can use the same pesticides the pros use to get rid of mosquitoes?
What Chemicals Should I Use To Kill Mosquitoes?
Bifenthrin – Talstar P is an industry standard brand of bifenthrin, It has an amazing knockdown and lasts up to about a month. It
Lambda-Cyhalothrin – Demand CS is a great chemical it has a long-lasting approach when it comes to mosquitoes. With its microencapsulation technology, it lasts up to 60 days.
Methoprene – Altosid Pro-G helps with the prevention of mosquitoes just a small amount of pellets can treat large bodies of water, in fact, each bottle can treat 20,182 gallons. It works in fresh-water bird baths, ponds, creeks, rivers, streams, pools and more.
There are other variables such as rain and snow that can break the chemicals down sooner, so in all fairness, you may need to re-apply before the next month.
Make sure to wait at least a week before re-applying these chemicals.
If you want to do this yourself here are some things you will need.
- Nitrile Gloves
- Paper Mask or Respirator
- Stihl Backpack Sprayer
- Long Sleeve Shirt
- Pants
If you want a cheaper option the Stihl backpack sprayer costs $500, but there is another option you will use more chemical and it will take more time but you can use a 1-gallon pump sprayer to treat for mosquitoes too.
Note: it is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide in any way that is inconsistent with its labeling.
Other Posts of Interest
What Do Exterminators Do To Stop A Mouse Problem?
I had a friend recently tell me his wife saw a mouse in their basement and he wondered if he should just set up traps or call an exterminator. He said he didn’t want to pay someone $300 dollars just to set a mouse trap.
So he googled… What do exterminators do to stop a mouse problem? Most Pest Applicators use poison to stop a mouse problem. If you are not a pesticide person and you don’t mind disposing of mouse carcasses traps work too. There is, however, a refined technique that should be implemented.
What Time of Year Do Spiders Lay Eggs?
I have always wondered about this even before I became a pest exterminator.
What time of year do spiders lay their eggs? The brief answer is spider multiply all year. Even though they will appear less active in the winter and fall they will still mate, lay eggs and feed.
