Mosquitos are well-known to anyone who has ever spent time outside. They show up to most outdoor events, ruining barbeques, tailgate parties, walks in the woods, and beautiful days at the lake. Mosquitoes are found in every area of the United States and are especially active in the spring and summer months. If you're looking for mosquito control in Dallas, the experts at Texas Star Pest & Termite can help.
Mosquitoes are small, flying pests that have six legs. They are usually black or grey with markings that can be white, blue, or green. Only female mosquitoes will bite because they need a blood meal to be able to reproduce. Because they are constantly breeding, they need a blood meal every two days to continue the reproduction cycle. Learn more about mosquito bites, their dangers, and how to prevent them from the trained exterminators at Texas Star Pest & Termite.
Mosquito Bite Facts
Mosquito bites can be itchy and painful. People have different reactions to mosquito bites, but the most common result is a swollen red bump at the site of the bite. This occurs because when a mosquito bites you, it injects its saliva while it feeds. The red bump you see and the itching and pain you feel is an allergic reaction to their saliva.
It is important not to scratch a mosquito bite. Scratching the bite can enlarge the hole, causing more bleeding and spreading bacteria and contaminating the bite with other substances under your nails and on your hands. Instead, wash the bite with soap and water. To reduce itching, place ice on the bite or use hydrocortisone or calamine creams.
Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?
Mosquitoes aren't just nuisance pests. They can be dangerous to your health as well, as they carry a wide variety of diseases that can threaten humans. Mosquitoes are considered by many to be the deadliest animal in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that more than one million deaths a year are attributed to mosquitoes, most of which are caused by malaria.
In the United States, the CDC has mostly eliminated malaria as a threat, with only 1500 reported cases a year. Most of those cases are from people coming to the US from overseas.
Mosquito-borne diseases that threaten people in the United States include:
- West Nile virus
- Zika virus
- Eastern equine encephalitis
- Dengue fever
There is also growing concern about chikungunya, a virus recently found in Caribbean countries.
Mosquito Prevention Tips For Your Dallas Property
With all the health concerns that come from mosquitoes, it is wise to do everything possible to prevent being bitten. This includes doing what you can to keep mosquitoes off your property. Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, so eliminating standing water around your property is the biggest key to mosquito prevention. Be sure to check your property consistently for areas of standing water.
Pay attention to objects and areas, including:
- Kiddie pools
- Pool covers
- Buckets
- Old tires
- Empty flower pots
- Birdbaths (Change the water weekly)
- Pools (Make sure your pool is treated and the water is circulating)
- Low-lying areas where water may collect
- Areas where gutters and downspouts aren't functioning or are clogged
Eliminating these areas of standing water, along with professional pest control treatments, will help drastically reduce your mosquito population.
Professional Mosquito Control With Texas Star Pest & Termite
If you have a mosquito problem or want professional help to greatly reduce the mosquito population on your property, call us today. At Texas Star Pest & Termite, our trained exterminators are experts at eliminating mosquitoes. We offer one-time treatment plans or a monthly option covering your yard throughout the mosquito season.
We'll identify areas of standing water to remove, spray a mist treatment on areas where mosquitoes may land, like trees and bushes, and use mosquito dunks to treat areas of standing water that cannot be removed. We'll ensure you and your family can enjoy life in your backyard this summer without the nuisance of mosquitoes buzzing in your ear. Contact us today to learn more about our mosquito control options!