Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes

There is a popular bar trivia question that goes “what animal kills the most humans every year?” Most people, thinking it is a trick question, answer “other humans.” That answer is close, because humans are second. But mosquitoes kill almost twice as many humans every year.

Mosquitoes are best known for their bites. Female mosquitoes use the proteins in mammal blood to create their eggs. They bite with their long mouths, piercing the skin and sucking out the blood they need. The saliva in their bites causes an allergic reaction, which eventually leads to an a very itchy bump that can last for a few days to several weeks.

The bites themselves are the most common complaint about mosquitoes. One bite can be so distracting, it ruins days or weeks of your summer. But mosquitoes are known carriers some of the world’s most deadly diseases. When they bite two or more hosts, their saliva can transfer viruses between hosts, leading to serious illnesses.

What makes mosquitoes unique is that scientists are still unsure what value mosquitoes play in the environment. Most pests, like spiders, flies, centipedes, and more, are critical to the world’s ecosystem. But if all mosquitoes were eliminated tomorrow, it’s unclear whether this would have any ecological consequences. They are a potentially deadly insect without significant value.

We are lucky in the United States that fatal mosquito borne viruses are rare. But they do occur. When combined with the general discomfort of the bites themselves, it’s clear why it’s so important to get rid of mosquitoes on your property.

The transfer of saliva from the mosquito to a person carries the risk of also transmitting pathogens. This enables mosquitoes to carry several viruses from infected people and animals to other people, causing some mosquito bites to be harmful and potentially fatal.

Mosquito-borne illnesses kill over a million people worldwide. In the U.S., historic and ongoing efforts to manage insect populations have all but eradicated certain diseases, such as malaria, but there is a chance for reemergence of these and other illnesses as disease vector species and virus strains change. In addition, many other diseases remain prevalent, lacking vaccinations.

Mosquitoes are among the most serious of insect pests attacking humans and affect the lives of vast numbers of people worldwide. Approximately 3000 different species are found throughout the world of which 150 species occur in the United States. They carry some of the most widespread and devastating human disease agents including West Nile virus, encephalitis and malaria. Mosquitoes are also responsible for transmitting heartworm in dogs. These diseases, infections and illnesses are now found in just about every part of the United States

The mosquito has four distinct stages in its life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. A large number of species overwinter as eggs, others as larvae or adults. All have one common requirement – mosquitoes need stagnant or standing water to complete their life cycle. After a blood meal the female develops her eggs. (Adult males do not bite and feed solely on plant nectar.) One blood meal supplies enough nutrients for her to produce several hundred eggs which she will lay in or around water. Depending on the species, eggs are either attached to one another to form a raft or they are laid individually and float on water. Eggs hatch within days releasing larvae, commonly called “wrigglers,” which feed on microorganisms in the water until they pupate 7-10 days later. Adults emerge 1-4 days later and can live for a period of four to eight weeks. There are several overlapping generations throughout the season. In warmer regions breeding occurs year round.