Summer is the time of year when most people love to enjoy time spent outdoors in Auburn. Whether it’s spending time with family, playing games, or just enjoying some sunshine, being outside is delightful. But unfortunately, this is the time of year that Alabama mosquitoes love most of all. The warmth and humidity of summer makes for the perfect condition for mosquitoes to multiply, and they’re not the most discerning pests. Measuring anywhere from ¼ to ⅛ inch, mosquitoes are petite pests that thrive off of your blood and they require it in order to lay their eggs.
Did you know that it’s actually only the females who bite you? And that mosquito means “little fly,” and that there are approximately 3,500 species of them across the globe? For a pest so small, that’s a lot of different types to encounter. Regardless of the species, mosquitoes come with a host of health dangers that can easily prove to make a miserable time out of your summer.
Dangers Of Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are considered to be one of the most dangerous animals on the planet because of the diseases that they are known to spread. Here are a few ways that mosquitoes prove to be detrimental to your health:
- When mosquitoes feed off of something that is diseased, they transmit those same pathogens to you through a bite with the greatest of ease.
- According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes are accountable for over one million deaths each year due to the viruses they spread through bites.
- In the United States, mosquitoes are known carriers for West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis. Some symptoms of West Nile virus are sore throat, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and abdominal pain. It is said that many people contract the virus and never know that they’ve had it due to a lack of symptoms. Eastern equine encephalitis is noted by joint pain, chills, and fever, which may last up to two weeks.
- While less common in the U.S., Chikungunya disease has been growing in prominence due to travel to the Caribbean.
What Attracts Mosquitoes To Your Property
Mosquitoes are the worst and they can definitely put a damper on your outdoor summer plans in Auburn. Here are some of the factors that may be attracting mosquitoes to your property and what you can do to repel them:
- Standing water. Mosquitoes love a nice wet spot to lay their nests so removing any stale water is key for giving them the boot. Look to areas such as birdbaths, dog dishes, pool or grill covers, leaking pipes, etc. and be sure to rectify the problem swiftly.
- Lawns and foliage. Mosquitoes love a good leaf pile or accumulation of lawn trimmings to hide out from predators and lay their nests in furtive ways. Disposing of any excess greenery properly and regularly is imperative.
- The human factor. Things like sweating profusely, wearing fragrant items, having type O blood, being pregnant, and having lactic acid build-up in your body due to exercise can all become appealing to mosquitoes and can attract them to your property, unbeknownst to you.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes
While the above-mentioned tips may help you experience fewer mosquito bites while out in your yard, they won't get to the root of your mosquito problem. Investing in a professional mosquito control program for your Auburn property is the best and most guaranteed way to have a real impact on the mosquito populations in your yard.
For more mosquito information and for the best in Auburn, AL mosquito protection, contact the experts at Prewett Pest Control today.