What is the most efficient transmitter of disease in the animal kingdom? The female mosquito! She has no fur and no fangs. She’s just a hypodermic needle with wings. She finds us by scent, attracted by the lactic acid and other ingredients in our perspiration. She also senses the carbon dioxide in our exhalations. The more you sweat and pant as you shoo her away, the more attractive you become to her. Mosquitoes are BACK, Virginians, and we want to help you decipher the mosquito FACTS and MYTHS in regards to these little ankle-biters.
Mosquitoes Need Water
You might have heard that mosquitoes need to be around water to survive, but you may not understand why. The simple answer is that water is needed to “incubate” mosquito eggs. Mosquitoes will lay their eggs in standing water where they will hatch into larvae. They spend 10 days feeding on organic matter in the stagnant water while breathing oxygen from the surface. From there, they develop into pupae (which do not feed while partially encased in cocoons), and finally, over a period of several days, evolve into adults. Because mosquitoes require water for eggs to hatch, eliminating standing water around your property can really make a big difference in reducing their population. keep gutters cleaned so they drain properly, rake wet leaves away and to make sure that any stagnant water around your home is dumped out. When it comes to mosquito facts and myths, needing and being attracted to water is definitely a fact.
Virginia Offers A Mosquito-Preferred Climate
Unfortunately, Virginia offers a mosquito-preferred climate for mosquitoes from the month of March through November. The warm, humid weather of the South-Atlantic region of the United States is their ideal.
See also Mosquito Season Virginia
Mosquitoes Are Only Out For Blood
That may FEEL true, but it’s actually not. Mosquitoes can’t survive with only blood as their nourishment. All adult mosquitoes feed on the nectar of plants to get sugar, which provides the nourishment they need to survive. However, in addition to sugar, female mosquitoes also require a blood meal for protein. This is necessary for them to be able to produce eggs. Blood may come from humans or other mammals, birds, reptiles, and some amphibians. Mosquitoes drink about 3 milligrams of blood per feeding. The female mosquito is the one that bites you because she needs to. Not only are mosquitoes NOT only out for blood, only the female ones actually bite for it. In the list of mosquito facts and myths, it is a myth that mosquitoes only live off of blood.
See also Why Mosquitoes BITE
We hope this blog has educated you on important mosquito facts and myths that may affect your life. If you have a mosquito problem on your property, you may feel as though you can’t enjoy your own backyard and fun with family and friends! We want you to relax in the beautiful weather and not be held hostage by mosquitoes, so you need a solution. Holistic Pest Solutions can help you take back control of your yard without using harsh chemicals to do it. Contact Holistic Pest Solutions to learn more about our treatment plans for termites, ants, mosquitoes or any other pests or give us a call at 434 842 1700. Whether you’re in Charlottesville, Waynesboro, or close by to either, Holistic Pest Solutions has the perfect plan for you. We’re mindful of our clients AND our Earth!
*Our Environmental Commitment: Holistic Pest Solutions is committed to the preservation of our environment. Our goal is to nurture the soils and plant life of lawns and landscapes. Utilizing holistic pest control practices that cause the least amount of impact on the environment.
