If you’ve been outside this month, then you’ve probably noticed two things. One is that it’s really, really warm for winter. There were a few days with temperatures nearing the high 80s. And two, that there’s a LOT of mosquitoes out. That’s why today we’re going to talk about the future. Not the far future, just the warmer months, and whether or not this year brings more mosquitoes than normal.
More Mosquitoes: Warm Winter
This country has experienced a warmer winter almost in all parts of America. Couple that with this month’s heavy rainfall, and temperatures not even dropping at night in the southeast, we’ll be seeing a plague of mosquitoes this summer.
Mosquitoes, like most insects, are cold-blooded, or ectothermic. Unlike us, their body temperature closely matches the temperature of the environment (air or water) around them. If it is cold outside, they are cold. If it is warm outside, they are warm. Any time spent outside of their comfort zone can slow or stop their development or even cause them to be injured and die.
In order for most mosquito larvae to grow, temperatures need to be above a threshold, which varies, depending on the species but is typically around seven to 16 degrees Celsius.
Since the larvae are entirely aquatic, they also need a source of standing water (like your flower pot) that will remain until they are ready to emerge as adults.
This means cold or dry conditions that hit at the right time during larval development in the spring or summer can drastically reduce the number of adult mosquitoes looking for a meal a week or two later.
Brandon Mosquito: Why More After Rain?
While this may be well known to most, we’ll go into it just in case. Why are there more mosquitoes when it rains? Well, that has to do with the mosquito’s lifestyle. Like all flies, the mosquito goes through four stages in their life. They go from egg, larva, pupa, and then finally, the adult stage. And all stages of a mosquito’s life except for their adult form live in the water. The Brandon mosquito lays its egg on the water surface, and then it hatches and spends almost its entire life there. But, soon enough, they turn into the flying bests that we love to hate.
That’s why you should do your best to eliminate any source of standing water on your property. This includes tires, old buckets, and any other water collecting source. But, is there anything you can do when it’s too late to start at the source? Thankfully, the answer is yes!
More Mosquito Control
Homeowner inspections are one of our largest and most important methods in helping to eliminate mosquitoes around homes and drains in residential communities. Inspectors work to remove the mosquitoes by ridding the property of standing water thereby removing places for the mosquito to lay her eggs. Drains are inspected and treated or mosquito-eating fish may be introduced to combat mosquitoes where appropriate. The most problematic mosquito is the Aedes aegypti that has the potential to spread dengue fever or one of the other viruses which it is capable of transmitting. Homeowners are educated on effective methods of mosquito prevention and control including:
- Emptying all standing water and water-holding containers in their yards
- Keeping hot tubs and pools in working condition and appropriately chlorinated
- Changing the water in pet bowls, flower vases, and birdbaths at least twice a week
- Screening rain barrels, water tanks, and cisterns or requesting fish
- Emptying plastic swimming pools when not in regular use
- Flushing out water-holding plants like bromeliads
- Cleaning clogged roof gutters and draining flat roofs
- Stocking ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish
- Drilling holes in garbage cans and recycle bins
- Removing old tires with stagnant water
- Removing water from stored boats
So don’t forget, preventative action is the best step in Brandon mosquito control. Remember, stagnant water is the best place for mosquitoes to breed. The first step in reducing their numbers is to make your home and yard as inhospitable as possible. That is why it is so important to focus on removing as many of the mosquito nesting sites as possible. Periodically, check your yard for new areas that may become nesting sites. Being proactive in mosquito control is the best course of action.
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