Mosquitoes are an accepted warm-weather pest in San Antonio. But that doesn’t mean they need to take up residence in your yard. With Accurate Pest Control’s San Antonio pest control, you can keep mosquitoes away from your home. Call today to learn more about our effective and affordable options for mosquito control.
The Life Cycle Of Mosquitoes
The mosquito life cycle begins with the egg. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, where they stay until they hatch into larvae. Mosquito larvae stay in that water as they develop more, eventually turning into pupae. Eventually, the pupae hatch into adult mosquitoes. Although the first three stages of the life cycle stay in the water, adult mosquitoes fly and do not continue living in the water.
On average, it only takes about two weeks for a mosquito to go from an egg to an adult. This timeline ranges from four days to one month, so mosquito infestations grow quickly and can easily get out of control.
Why Water Features Attract Breeding Mosquitoes
Mosquito eggs are laid in standing water, where larvae feed and develop. Female mosquitoes look for these collections of water to lay their eggs so their babies can thrive. And breeding mosquitoes are not insects you want around your home because these are the ones that bite. Most mosquitoes get the nutrients they need just from nectar. Female mosquitoes, however, need a blood meal to get the necessary proteins to lay their eggs.
Mosquito bites aren’t the only reason to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. These insects are known to carry and spread disease to humans. Although the most infamous mosquito-borne illnesses, such as malaria and yellow fever, are not found in the United States, there are still serious diseases carried by mosquitoes. American mosquitoes can be carriers of West Nile virus, dengue fever, encephalitis, and tularemia. If you develop any symptoms of illness after being bitten by a mosquito, you should see a doctor.
Tips To Stop Mosquitoes From Breeding In Water Features
The number-one way to keep mosquitoes away from your home is to keep your yard less appealing to them. This means creating an environment that is hostile to mosquitoes but still a yard you can enjoy. Following these mosquito prevention tips will help you keep your yard free of mosquitoes.
- Get rid of anything that collects excess water.
- Remove excess vegetation around your yard.
- Avoid spending time outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Install mosquito-repelling plants.
- Treat or cycle out the water features you want to keep in your yard.
The most important step is to avoid having standing water around. Anything can become a place for mosquito eggs, from a wading pool to a bottle cap. If there are items you do want to keep out in your yard – bird baths, pet water bowls, ponds – then that water should be replaced very often or treated with a mosquito-specific pesticide.
Mosquitoes tend to hang out in areas where they can get shade. Removing overgrowth and vegetation that creates lots of shade around your yard can be a way to keep mosquitoes away. However, this might not be the most ideal option for your yard. After all, that same shade keeps you comfortable when it’s hot outside.
There are many plants that are known to repel mosquitoes. Using these around your yard can keep pests away without compromising the look of your garden. This usually works because the plants are scented, which can be an added bonus for your yard. Lavender, rosemary, basil, and lemongrass can all work to keep mosquitoes away from your home.
Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. If you can, try to avoid being outside during these times. When you are outside, you can avoid mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, as well as applying mosquito repellent.
Once mosquitoes have started living in your yard, they can be hard to get rid of. Accurate Pest Control offers mosquito control options for your San Antonio yard that will remove mosquitoes, prevent them from returning, and keep your family safe.
The Eco-Friendly Way To Eradicate Mosquitoes From Your Yard
Mosquito treatments need to be consistent and effective. At Accurate Pest Control, we believe in staying up-to-date on current research on insects and pest control. You can trust that whatever treatments we use are researched and tested to be the most effective methods. For mosquitoes, we offer monthly treatments in order to ensure that your yard stays clear of these pests. Call Accurate Pest Control today to learn more about our options for mosquito control in San Antonio.