GOT MOSQUITOES?
Check out the images and descriptions below to distinguish between rat, mice, possum, and cockroach droppings commonly found in Australia.
Mosquito bites, even without disease transmission, can cause allergic reactions that lead to severe discomfort and itching. Excessive scratching may result in bleeding, scabbing, and potentially secondary infections. Children, especially, are vulnerable as they often don’t realize the extent of their exposure while playing outdoors.
Female mosquitoes inflict painful bites during feeding. When present in large numbers, they can disrupt outdoor activities and reduce property values. Mosquitoes also pose a significant burden on animals, reducing productivity and efficiency among farm animals.
Identification of Mosquitoes
Adult mosquitoes are small, delicate insects with slender bodies, narrow wings adorned with tiny scales, and three pairs of long legs. They range in size from 4 mm to 1.27 cm. Mosquitoes possess a long, piercing proboscis for feeding. Eggs are elongated, typically dark brown to black before hatching. Larvae, often called “wigglers,” move in an S-shaped motion and feed on organic matter in water. They undergo four growth stages (instars) before transforming into pupae, characterized by a comma-shaped body that tumbles through water when disturbed.
Life Cycle and Habits
Mosquitoes can overwinter as eggs, fertilized adult females, or larvae. Eggs, larvae, and pupae require water for development. Some species lay eggs directly on water surfaces, while others deposit them on substrates above water, which hatch upon flooding. Eggs can remain viable for years until suitable flooding conditions occur. Certain mosquitoes, like those of the Culex genus, lay eggs in rafts, each containing up to 400 eggs. Larvae mature within about a week, and the pupal stage lasts 2-3 days. Female mosquitoes can bite within 1-2 days of emerging as adults, while males feed on nectar and plant juices. Mosquitoes vary in their generation frequency, with some having one per year and others having four or more. Adults typically fly 8-16 km but rest near their breeding areas in grass or shrubbery.
Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, malaria, and various forms of encephalitis. Encephalitis viruses can infect humans, horses, and other animals, posing significant health risks. Transmission occurs when infected mosquitoes feed on blood. Birds often serve as natural hosts for diseases like Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) and St. Louis encephalitis (SLE). Additionally, mosquitoes can transmit filariasis (heartworm) to animals, notably affecting dogs and occasionally cats.
Control Measures
Ineffective Methods: Various natural and man-made repellents, attractants, and predator strategies marketed for mosquito control have shown limited effectiveness. Claims surrounding “mosquito repellent plants” like those producing citronella oil lack substantial scientific backing. Studies indicate that stationary plants do not release sufficient citronella to repel mosquitoes effectively, even if damaged. Similarly, dietary studies show mosquitoes are not significant prey for purple martins or bats, challenging the effectiveness of ultraviolet lights and sonic devices as control measures.
Book your pest control service today!
Prevention of Mosquito Infestation
To minimize the risk of contracting diseases like encephalitis from mosquitoes, it’s crucial to control their breeding sites near your home. Mosquitoes that transmit diseases typically don’t travel far, making local prevention measures effective. Managing water sources is key, as mosquito eggs require water to hatch. Remove or regularly empty containers such as old tires, buckets, and bird baths that collect water. Clean out roof gutters and cover stagnant water storage areas tightly to prevent mosquito breeding. Avoid over-irrigating lawns and gardens, and fill or treat tree holes and puddles. Keeping grass mowed around water bodies and stocking ponds with fish can also help control mosquito populations.
Use of Screens and Repellents
Install screens with 16 x 16 or 14 x 18 mesh on windows and doors, ensuring screen doors open outward and close automatically to keep mosquitoes out. Repellents applied to skin and clothing effectively prevent mosquito bites for several hours, depending on the type and concentration of active ingredients. N, N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (Deet) is highly effective but should be used cautiously to avoid allergic reactions, especially in children. Lower concentrations (5-10% Deet) are equally effective and safer for prolonged use.
Indoor and Outdoor Control Measures
For indoor mosquito control, space sprays containing pyrethrins are effective against adult mosquitoes but require frequent applications during peak mosquito activity periods. Outdoors, residual sprays applied to grass, trees, and structures provide temporary control of adult mosquitoes. Carefully follow label directions when using insecticides like carbaryl (Sevin), chlorpyrifos (Dursban), and malathion, ensuring not to spray plants in bloom to protect bees and other pollinators.
Larvicides for Water Sources
Homeowners can use larvicides like Mosquito Dunks (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) or Methoprene (Altosid XR) to kill mosquito larvae in water. These products are safe for other organisms and degrade naturally over time. Altosid XR briquets, which release larvicide over an extended period, are suitable for treating swamps and ponds. Apply larvicides early in spring for season-long control, following specific instructions for use in fish habitats.
Implementing these preventive measures and control strategies can effectively reduce mosquito populations around your home, minimizing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases and improving outdoor living conditions.