With summer not too far off, it’s time to prepare for fun activities that this time of year has to offer… like camping, swimming, fishing, hunting, and so much more that will create family memories. Pests, like mosquitoes, seek to ruin these experiences. This is one reason why mosquito control can be a huge benefit to your lifestyle.

Mosquitoes can get in the way of popular summer plans like BBQ’s, bonfires, stargazing, and hiking. Everyone knows the feeling of waking up the next morning itchy and covered in bites… not a comfortable experience. These blood-suckers are pesky little things, but so much has been discovered about them. You want to learn about one of the most annoying things on the planet, besides your sibling? Me too!

Mosquitoes love carbon dioxide (CO2)

• Female mosquitoes have nerve cells called “cpA neurons.” They use it to follow the smell of CO2, the stuff we breathe out. The cpA nerve cells have receptors that can help a mosquito find its next meal from more than 30 feet away!
• Female mosquitoes need blood to reproduce and help the development of their eggs.
• Male mosquitoes, on the other hand, feed on plant juice, like nectar. They use the natural sugars inside for energy.

Mosquitoes are very old

• Mosquitoes have been around for 400 million years, and have never evolved.
• Fortunately for us, there has never been enough blood found within one to recreate a new park…of the dinosaur variety.
• There are between 3500 and 2700 mosquito species in the world
  • • Out of the 3500 – 2700, only a few HUNDRED drink blood.

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on the globe

• An estimated 1 million people die a year by mosquito spread diseases. These diseases include Malaria, Dengue, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Yellow fever, and Zika.
• Birds were first blamed for West Nile Virus, until recent studies proved mosquitoes were to blame
• Mosquitoes feed using a “sip” method, meaning they get their source of food from multiple places. Unfortunately, this exposes more people to the spread of diseases.
• George Washington got malaria twice in his lifetime and lost a substantial amount of hearing the second time, during his presidency.

Mosquitoes are the “Goldilocks” of the insect world

• Being bitten depends on your blood chemistry. Mosquitoes are picky, and have a very specific taste to what they will go after.
• Studies done from 1974-2004 have shown that mosquitoes prefer blood type O and A over anything else. But, there are questions as to why others still get bitten. Mosquitoes have “personal” preferences in a way.

Color matters to mosquitoes

• Mosquitoes pay close attention to color. Depending on the color, your clothes could be attracting them in your direction.
• Dark color to a female mosquito means a resting place.

Mosquitoes are attracted to more than just color and blood type.

• Studies have shown that multiple factors play into being bitten
• Body odor can attract mosquitoes
  • Compounds on the skin, such as ammonia and lactic acid, can lure mosquitoes your way
  • Natural bacteria can also beckon mosquitoes
  • People with a higher abundance but lower diversity of bacteria attract mosquitoes more.
• Strangely enough, genetics can play a part as well. For example, mosquitoes were more attracted to the smells of identical twins over fraternal twins.
• Body heat can also be a big reason you have been bitten. Mosquitoes will go to any heat source no matter the size.

Mosquitoes (though a nuisance) are a part of multiple organisms’ diets

• Researchers have found that wiping mosquitoes out could cause problems in the food chain.
• Organisms that depend on mosquitoes (not limited to):
  • Bats, birds, fish, guppies, frogs, tadpoles, turtles, dragonflies, damselflies, crane fly, etc.
  • Wiping them out could ensure the extinction of multiple organisms.

People everywhere try to take their own measures to deter and even kill mosquitoes

• Mosquito repellent
  • Deet is often found in mosquito/bug repellent. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough to take care of the problem long-term. It is a temporary fix.
• Bug zappers are found just about everywhere
  • Bug zappers are a one-at-a-time type of device. You will still get bitten. Though it may be lessened, you will still wake up with itchy bumps on your arms.
• Mosquito-repelling plants
  • There are so many plants that ward off the pesky bugs. Many of which you can find at Home Depot. But plants still attract other bugs and cause secondary problems.
  • Citronella candles are great. But the scent and smoke can only go so far.

The CDC’s list of “Prevention Chemicals”

• The CDC’s list can be found here: Preventing Mosquito Bites Mosquitoes – CDC
• Deet is often found in bug spray, but the amount used isn’t enough to rid your property. As mentioned before, it’s a temporary fix.

Mosquito Control

Here at Green Pest Management, we are here to help! We make sure to put most of the CDC-recommended chemicals in our mosquito control and tick control treatments. For many of our customers, this is a staple of their summer season. We offer this service from April through September to anyone ready to get back to enjoying their property again. We are excited to help you and your family get back to enjoying summer again. 

To find out more about our mosquito control and tick treatment, watch the video below. To make sure we service your location, check out our service area by clicking the state you reside in. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland.