What Is A Mosquito?
Mosquitoes are very common on every continent, except Antarctica. There are 3,500 known types of mosquitoes worldwide. Not all of them bite or spread disease, and among the biting variety, it's only the females that do the bloodsucking. The mosquitoes' name is of mixed origin from Spain and Portugal, it means “little fly.” Here are a few more interesting factoids about mosquitoes:
- They will bite day or night.
- It only takes a few of them to start an outbreak in a community, potentially making hundreds of people sick.
- Only the female mosquitoes bite. She needs a ‘blood meal’ to produce eggs.
- They can live indoors or outdoors.
- Their lifespan is between 2-4 weeks.
Mosquitos Are More Dangerous Than You Realize
Mosquitoes are considered one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. They can spread deadly diseases that do not affect them. Diseases that can also be transferred from animal to human via a mosquito bite, specifically West Nile. The following is a list of some of the diseases spread by mosquitoes:
- The Zika virus - Women who bear children while infected with this virus usually have babies with a serious health condition.
- West Nile virus - There is no known treatment for WNV at this time. 1 out of 150 people that contract the virus suffer serious, and sometimes fatal, illnesses.
- Malaria - We are experiencing a spike in cases this year. Recently we have been seeing about 410,000 cases worldwide, mostly children.
- Yellow fever - It’s named for the jaundice that some who are infected experience, and a small portion of those infected can have severe symptoms that can lead to death.
- Dengue fever - Annually 25,000 people die from Dengue.
- Chikungunya - Presents with horrible joint pain that lingers for years. There is no treatment.
What Attracts Mosquitoes To My Oklahoma City Property?
Many factors will attract these little pests to your property. Because the spring in Oklahoma was wetter than normal, we can expect a robust mosquito population this summer. Of course, we cannot control the weather, but there are other factors that you have control of around your home and property. These areas should be monitored and inspected frequently:
- Standing or stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Ponds, unattended birdbaths, potted plants with saucers, clogged gutters, old tires, and any vessel that could hold water.
- Leaf mold or any type of damp decaying plant matter. This needs to be cleared away.
- Hedges, shrubs, and grass should be trimmed regularly.
- Animals’ watering bowls, do not leave these out overnight.
The above items are for your property, but let’s not forget that you live on your property, and you are part of the attraction.
Let The Pros Handle It
For more mosquito information or the best in mosquito protection, contact the experts at Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma. We have been in business for 45 years serving the greater Oklahoma City region. You can count on our free inspections, same-day services, and 100% pest-free guarantees. Call for your free quote on mosquito elimination today.
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