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There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes. About 150 species live in the United States. They are insects that spread some of the worst diseases of people and animals. Many kinds of mosquitoes do not spread diseases, but they have painful “bites”. Only female mosquitoes “bite” and only the females of a few species attack human beings and animals.
The mosquito’s slender body has three parts: the head, the thorax and the abdomen. The familiar hum that is heard is the sound of its wings beating. Male mosquitoes may live only about 7 to 10 days, but females may live up to 30 days or more. The females of some species live through the winter in barns, garages, houses, caves, or in the bark of logs. Some species spend the winter as eggs or as larvae. They develop into adults in the Spring.
Control is found in many differnet ways. Small amounts of chemical insecticides kill mosquitoes when sprayed in homes, garages, and other building. Thick mists of insecticides may be sprayed into fields, forests, and gardens. Since the 1960’s, scientists have turned increasing attention to developing programs without damaging other elements of the environment. Certain fish can be used that eat mosquito larvae and “pucks” have been developed for water areas that kill mosquito larvae without killing other aquatic animals.
The most important control that YOU can do is to destroy the places where they breed. Get rid of any standing water. Some examples of such breeding places are kiddie pools, tires and tire swings, bottom of planters, tops of pool covers and tree holes. These are the places mosquitoes lay their eggs. You wnat to drain or eliminate any areas of standing water.
If you suspect you have a mosquito problem, please call our office.
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