The Ultimate Guide to Mosquito Control
Of all the pests that plague homeowners throughout Virginia, mosquitos are among the most infamous. These flying insects are more than just a nuisance since they can carry diseases and make your property impossible to comfortably enjoy. You don't have to live pestered by mosquitos, though. At Mares Exterminating, we offer the mosquito control solutions you need to comfortably enjoy your yard at any time of the year.
The Importance of Mosquito Control
If mosquitos were just annoying, mosquito control would be a luxury. Unfortunately, despite how common mosquitoes are here in Virginia, they are also potentially dangerous. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, the mosquito spreads more diseases than any other type of insect and causes several million deaths and hundreds of millions of illnesses each year. Local mosquitos carry several diseases, including West Nile virus and Eastern Equine encephalitis. Even mosquitos that aren't hosts for these diseases can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Every mosquito bite is a risk, and during the most humid parts of summer, these annoying pests are virtually unavoidable without population control measures in place.
The Basics of the Mosquito Life Cycle
The first step to effective mosquito control is getting a clear understanding of their life cycle. Disrupting their life cycle at any stage can significantly reduce the local mosquito population, but for the best results, it's wise to prevent mosquitos from ever reaching adulthood. Across eight to ten days, mosquitos go through four stages of growth: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Effective mosquito control techniques target several of these stages.
The first three stages all require a source of stagnant water. After a blood meal, female mosquitos lay their eggs on or near stagnant water. These eggs can survive a few months of dry conditions. Once the eggs are exposed to water, they hatch into larvae that live and grow in stagnant water. Once they have grown significantly, they develop into pupae. Adult mosquitos emerge from their pupal cases after a few days, becoming the nuisance insects everyone knows and hates. During the heat of the day, mosquitoes tend to hide out in long grass or under low-lying leaves, coming out during cooler periods to feed.
With this information in mind, it's clear that effective mosquito control must include solutions for each stage of a mosquito's life cycle. Since three of the four stages occur in or near stagnant water, many of the most effective treatments target ponds, puddles, and pools. However, these solutions alone will only get you so far. If you already have a mosquito problem, you need to take out the adult population to see results sooner rather than later.
The Mosquito Control Services We Offer
At Mares Exterminating, we offer comprehensive mosquito removal and management services. Since mosquitos are both a nuisance and a health hazard, we take this aspect of our work very seriously, so we offer both one-time service and comprehensive mosquito control plans. No matter your goals for mosquito control, the pest control services below can help.
One-Time Mosquito Control Services
Outdoor events are beautiful and charming, but nothing ruins a party faster than a swarm of mosquitoes. Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue or wedding, our one-time mosquito control services can help you ensure your event goes according to plan. Our technicians will thoroughly spray your yard, repelling adult mosquitos so you and your guests can enjoy each other's company without any unwanted visitors. Note that these services are truly one-time control measures; they won't kill developing mosquitos, so they don't provide a long-term solution.
Monthly Mosquito Control Services
Effective mosquito control that lasts will vary depending on the layout of your property. Our pest control technicians will assess your property's needs depending on nearby sources of standing water and areas with foliage that could hide adult mosquitoes. Of course, your property borders others that likely won't have pest control measures in place. To combat this issue, our technicians will service your property on a monthly basis, repelling adult mosquitos and continuously disrupting the mosquito life cycle around your home.
How to Keep Your Yard Mosquito-Free Between Treatments
While monthly professional mosquito control treatments are exceptionally effective at reducing the number of mosquitos around your property, you'll get the best results by keeping your property inhospitable to mosquitoes between treatments. Since mosquito life cycles last just over a week, keeping up on mosquito control on at least a weekly basis can make your property a blissfully mosquito-free zone. Try these simple property maintenance measures.
Standing Water Removal
Since the first three stages of the mosquito life cycle occur in or around stagnant water, removing all sources of standing water is key to disrupting the local population. Common sources of standing water include bird baths, potted plant saucers, clogged gutters, tire swings, trash can lids, pet water bowls, kiddie pools, and ponds. If a water source can't be removed, make sure to refresh it at least weekly, and consider adding water circulation systems to turn stagnant water into flowing water.
Landscaping Solutions
To prevent mosquito-friendly puddles and pools of water, pay attention to the way your yard is graded. Ideally, your yard should slope smoothly down and away from your home. Low-lying areas should have adequate drainage, keeping water from pooling. Additionally, keeping tidy, well-trimmed trees, bushes, and grass can prevent large groups of adult mosquitos from hanging out on your property.
Swimming Pool Maintenance
A well-maintained swimming pool won't contribute to your local mosquito population. Large pools should be balanced, taking into account the total alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, stabilizer, and dissolved solids. When the water is properly balanced, mosquito eggs laid in the pool can't develop.
How to Prepare for Mosquito Control Services
For the most effective results from your professional pest control services, some preparation is recommended. Once you reach out to our team for a free consultation, we will help you with the following preparation steps.
Make a Plan With a Pest Control Professional
During your free consultation, a technician will assess your property and develop a plan based on your goals for short- or long-term mosquito control. If you have any concerns or questions about the pest control process or particular areas of your property, we'll help you understand the best course of action. While we can provide an effective pest extermination service without you putting in any work, you'll always get the best results by taking great care of your property.
Prepare Your Yard
Before our technicians come back to your property to treat the vegetation and any sources of standing water, it's best to get your yard ready for treatment. Make sure to remove all pet and kid toys to prevent them from getting sprayed. Additionally, mowing the lawn and trimming trees and bushes before our team arrives will streamline the service we provide.
Keep Children and Pets Indoors
Just before we arrive, make sure to bring children and pets indoors. While our vegetation treatments are completely safe once they have dried completely, it's not ideal to have frequent exposure to them while they're wet. Our technicians will let you know when you can comfortably let your children and pets back outside to play.
Effective mosquito control requires comprehensive services that disrupt the lifecycle of the local mosquito population. Whether you're looking for one-time mosquito repellent services or monthly mosquito treatments in the Poquoson or Virginia Beach area, Mares Exterminating is here to help. Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation.
