Mosquitos

What are mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are biting pests that feed on the blood of their hosts – people and animals. Only female mosquitoes bite, to feed on blood in order to produce the protein to make eggs. Adult mosquitoes are fly-like insects. They have slender bodies, long legs, and narrow, hairy wings.

Mosquitoes also have extended, specialized mouthparts that both the males and females use for feeding. Their exact coloring and color patterns are species-specific, but most species are black, dark brown, or black and white in color.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Mosquitoes are considered to be one of the most dangerous creatures in the world due to the diseases they spread to people. In the United States, mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting diseases like West Nile virus, encephalitis, and the Zika virus. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, though it isn’t a threat to people in the United States. However, malaria is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in other parts of the world, especially in developing countries. Mosquitoes spread parasitic heartworm to dogs. This infection is potentially fatal.

Why do I have a mosquito problem?

Mosquitoes are attracted to properties that have heavy vegetation and tall grasses where they can hide. They are also attracted to areas with lots of flowering plants and trees, as both male and female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar as their main food source.

Female mosquitoes are attracted to properties with standing water on them, as they lay their eggs in standing water. Baby pools, bird baths, buckets, and pet food dishes can collect water and act as mosquito breeding sites. Other spots where water can collect includes on drive ways, on the tops of trash cans, in flower pots, and on top of tarps.

Where will I find mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. During the middle of the day, mosquitoes are found hiding out in tall grasses, in areas of dense vegetation, along fence lines, under trees, behind tree bark, or underneath decks and porches. Mosquitoes are found living in large populations on pieces of land with ponds, marshes, swamps, and wetlands on them. Mosquitoes are mainly found outside, but will make their way inside while searching for food sources. They find their way inside through spaces around windows and doors, open windows and doors, and tears in screens.

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

To reduce the number of mosquitoes living on your property, partner with a knowledgeable professional. At Pest Czar, our local and experienced professionals can provide the exterior services needed to treat the areas on your property where mosquitoes live, hide, and breed. We can then prevent their return by implementing one of our GreenPro certified pest protection plans. For exceptional, eco-friendly mosquito control services in the Baltimore Metro area of Maryland, call Pest Czar!

How do I prevent mosquitoes?

The following tips will help to keep mosquitoes off of your Maryland property, out of your home, and away from your family:

• Put into place a professional mosquito control program from Pest Czar.
• Keep gutters maintained to prevent water from pooling in them.
• Fill in low-lying areas on your property.
• Store wading pools, wheelbarrows, flower pots, pet dishes, and other containers upside down.
• Keep tarps tied tight to prevent them from collecting water.
• Reduce the amount of flowering plants on your property.
• Keep grass cut short.
• Repair torn window and door screens.
• Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible.