Although mosquito means "little fly," this insect is considered one of the most dangerous animals on the planet. They are feared because of their reputation for the various diseases they can spread. Anyone living in Orlando, Florida, knows how impossible it is to escape mosquitoes no matter how hard you tried.
The warm and humid conditions in central Florida are ideal for mosquitoes to thrive. This makes it challenging to keep mosquitoes from making a home on your property. However, there are some practices you can utilize to reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property. This is especially important in a place like Orlando, FL where they have a year-round presence.
Why Mosquitoes Are Dangerous
Besides being an annoying pest, with their pinprick bites that can cause itching for days, mosquitoes can carry pathogens that cause significant health concerns for the people they bite. There are approximately 3,500 species of mosquitoes globally, and about 80 species can be found in Florida. Although not all mosquito species can transmit diseases, several species in Florida have been found to. The conditions that have been detected in Florida include:
- Chikungunya
- Dengue fever
- Dog Heartworm
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis
- St. Louis Encephalitis
- West Nile Virus
- Zika virus
Although only the females bite, they can cause immense damage to vulnerable communities. In other countries, mosquitoes spread malaria and yellow fever, which have high mortality rates. Not only are humans affected by this pest, but animals too. Pets such as dogs are affected by dog heartworm, which can be fatal.
You don't need anyone to tell you why it is essential to reduce mosquito populations on your property. To do this, you must understand what attracts mosquitoes in the first place; then, you can reduce or eliminate those factors.
What Mosquitoes Look For
Like any organism, mosquitoes need the right environment to survive. Let’s go over a few factors that are essential to the life of a mosquito.
More than seventy percent of a mosquito's life cycle is spent in water. Standing water makes the perfect environment for breeding. Mosquitoes only need a small amount of water to lay eggs. The shallower and more stagnant the water is, the better.
Any animal needs shelter to survive. Mosquitoes look for areas that are shaded and block the wind. Even the softest of breezes can blow this insect away, and direct sunlight will dehydrate and kill them.
Something else to keep in mind when it comes to mosquitoes is that they are attracted to different factors for people. These factors include the following:
- Dark clothing
- Breathable fabric
- Alcohol
- CO2
- Potassium and salt-rich foods
- Sweat
What To Do About Mosquitoes
When it comes to your yard, you should locate places where water collects and eliminate these places. Look for places in the ground that hold water, in planters, ponds, birdbaths, and gutter. For ponds and birdbaths, you should routinely change the water and use filters that disturb the water to keep it undesirable.
To reduce shelter in your yard, you should keep foliage and grass trimmed and clean up yard debris that provides cover for mosquitoes.
As for personal factors:
- Instead of wearing dark and breathable clothing, wear light colors and more tightly knit fabric.
- Limit alcohol consumption, especially beer, when outside or before going outside.
- Avoid potassium and salt-rich foods in the same manner as alcohol.
- If you have been sweating, take a shower before going outside.
Professional Mosquito Intervention
For more mosquito information or the best mosquito protection in Orlando, Florida, contact the Green Flag Services professionals. We are a locally owned and operated company providing eco-friendly pest control products for you and your pets. Call us today at Green Flag Services for a free inspection or use our online contact form.
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