Do you hear that noise? It’s the sound of people incessantly slapping their forearms, legs, and the backs of their necks. Yes, it’s that time of year again when insect repellent is about to go flying off the shelves. Mosquitoes are on the move and they’re making their way to an exposed body part near you for their next meal.
It’s a busy time for us who offer quality pest control In Dallas. The weather is perfectly sublime and conditions are right to go on an outdoor picnic, take a quick dip in a pool or lake, or cook up a backyard barbeque with friends and family. The only problem is that you won’t be the only one feasting. Female mosquitoes not only feed on nectar from flowering plants, but also on human blood. So, let’s dive into more about mosquitoes in our area and how you can avoid becoming the next item on the menu.
Types Of Mosquitoes In Dallas
In case you thought that a mosquito was just a mosquito, turns out there are about 3,500 different species of them worldwide. However, in the U.S., we are fortunate to only host around 172 distinct types. And for us in the Lone Star State, we have 40 distinctive kinds with the Aedes albopictus being the mosquito species that Dallas residents are bitten by the most. This species, also known as the Asian tiger, is considered to be a serious biting nuisance, and can survive a broad range of climates.
Mosquitoes Carry Diseases
Even though they're tiny, mosquitoes can be quite dangerous, as many of them can carry serious diseases that can make people very ill. Unfortunately, there are some mosquito populations known to be carriers of diseases throughout Texas, so it’s important to mitigate your risk of being bitten. Some of the types of mosquito-borne diseases that have been discovered in North Texas, often brought back by travelers, include:
- West Nile virus
- Zika virus
- Dengue fever
- Chikungunya
Malaria is also another disease that mosquitoes can carry; however, the probability of getting infected with it in the U.S. is fairly low due to our nation’s widespread use of insecticides that has reduced its occurrence.
How To Reduce Mosquitoes In Your Yard
Even though it’s normal to experience a greater number of mosquitoes during certain times of the year, that still doesn’t mean you want to walk right into a scourge of them just going out to get the mail. Therefore, check out the methods below to keep mosquitoes at bay:
- Move your potted plants inside.
- Eliminate any standing water around your property.
- Install a French drain that redirects standing water away from your home.
- Scatter coffee grounds on top of standing water to kill mosquito eggs.
- Install insect-repelling lights to deter insects.
Another way to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard is to plant particular plant herbs and plants on your property. Lemongrass and citronella, for example, give off a smell mosquitoes hate.
How Mosquito Treatments Work
The majority of commercial insecticides instantly kill the mosquitoes that come into direct contact with the chemicals. However, when sprayed onto branches and leaves, the substance will leave a residue. Once dried, it will repel any insects that fly into your yard. The average mosquito treatment lasts about 30 days.
But one solution that will always produce satisfactory results by employing various ways to kill mosquitoes is enlisting the services of an experienced and well-respected exterminating company, like Texas Star Pest & Termite. We have remained the pest control authority and the top choice for residents in the Dallas area for three generations. Let us help to keep mosquitoes away as well as serve any of your other pest problems. Contact us today for your free inspection.