What Brings Around Mosquitoes?

Standing water – Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so properties near ponds, marshes, depressions, and containers that collect rainwater are a risk.

Lights attract mosquitoes – Lights that provide bright areas around homes attract mosquitoes.

WHAT DO MOSQUITOES LOOK LIKE?

• Eggs: Eggs are laid in water singly or in “rafts” containing multiple eggs. The exact location will vary by species, but typically they are laid in stagnant or slow-moving water.
• Larvae: The larvae or “wrigglers” can often be seen in pools of water. They rest upside down with the “tail-end” of their body pointing through the water surface to breathe. They dive or wriggle away from the surface when disturbed.
• Adults: Everyone could probably identify a mosquito, they are insects, part of the fly family. Their size depends on the species but they rarely exceed 1.5cm in length. Their mouthparts have been adopted to allow them to pierce skin and suck up blood.

SIGNS OF AN INFESTATION

Signs of mosquito infestation are fairly obvious – lots of mosquitoes and lots of bites! However, if you want to get an early indication a problem may be brewing, keep an eye on any pools or water around your property. If you can see lots of “wrigglers” you know will be about get an invasion of adult mosquitoes.

MOSQUITO FACTS

• They are found throughout World , although different species will dominate in different parts. Numbers are considerably higher around the wetter coastal areas.
• Adult mosquitoes eat nectar and other plant juices. Only the female mosquito bites, requiring a blood meal before laying eggs.
• Mosquitoes are not only a problem at dusk and during the night. Some species are day biters such as the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes aegypti) which carries Dengue Fever.
• The high-pitched sound you can hear when mosquitoes are near your head, is from the rapid beating of their wings.
• These insects are known to carry a lot of serious (sometimes) fatal diseases

MOSQUITO PREVENTION TIPS

• The key action to minimize mosquito numbers on your property is to remove potential mosquito breeding sites. Eliminating all sources of standing water will remove egg laying sites. These include ponds, plant pots, drains and blocked gutters.
• Stopping them coming inside is best achieved using mosquito screens
• When outside wearing loose, long-sleeved tops and long trousers with socks will significantly reduce the chance of mosquito bites.
• Lastly contact Greeneseal Pest control professionals to fumigate your property against such pest.