Archive for category Mosquito Types
Is there trouble brewing in that mud puddle?
Posted by Robin Steele in All Natural Mosquito Spray, Mosquito attracters, Mosquito barrier spray, Mosquito Bites, Mosquito Control, Mosquito Factoids, Mosquito misting, Mosquito prevention tricks, Mosquito Squad, Mosquito Types, Mosquito-Borne Illnesses & Diseases, Mosquitoes, Outdoor Living Bug Free on October 2, 2011
An underwater army of Culex mosquito larvae, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Mosquitoes cannot exist without water, and I don’t mean just to serve as to keep them hydrated. Female mosquitoes need water in order to lay their eggs and carry on the cycle of life, and thus preserve the nature of the mosquito species itself. Many folks think that it takes a large amount of water for mosquitoes to lay eggs in. This is a common misconception. The truth is it takes very little water at all for a female mosquito to lay hundreds and even thousands of eggs to nurture her blood-thirsty offspring.
Many sources of water that are commonplace in any yard, on any street and around every house and business can be a source for concern. Mosquitoes are known vectors of illnesses and diseases such as West Nile Virus, Malaria, Meningitis and Encephalitis just to name a few, therefore citizens should become educated in the manner and locations that could potentially serve as a Petri dish for disease.
Mosquito Squad keeps you and your family mosquito free.
Storm drains, road ditches, flower pots, mud puddles, discarded soda bottles, children’s outdoor toys and even crevices in trees that can hold water make perfect nurseries for Mrs. Mosquito to carry on her legacy of irritation, pain and disease. All around the US, record rainfalls this season have produced swollen rivers, lakes and creeks that can boost the population of mosquitoes across the country. There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes around the world all looking for a place to carry on the family name, so here are some ways to reduce the chances of making your property attractive to expectant female mosquitoes.
- Inspect the areas around your home and property often and discard any items that are collecting moisture
- Tip, toss, turn over and throw out any items not in use or that serve no purpose other than as water reservoirs
- Make sure to keep your property trimmed of overgrowth and free of debris
- Keep gutters and storm drains free of brush and debris that can cause water to accumulate
- Empty and change water in bird baths and wading pools at least once per week
- Inspect screens on windows and doors to make certain mosquitoes don’t find their way indoors
- Have your property treated by a licensed professional
Mosquito life cycle, courtesy of Leon County Mosquito Control, Tallahassee, Florida. ( Notice the blue area that shows the importance of water on the mosquitoes life cycle)
These simple safeguards can keep your and your family safe from mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. Mosquito Squad is waging war on these pests with our mosquito control and prevention programs . Our safe and effective barrier spray is highly beneficial as part of keeping mosquitoes off your property. Our Barrier sprays are applied at regularly scheduled intervals during the season to keep you mosquito free all season long. We also offer an automatic mosquito misting system that disperses a spray at timed intervals throughout the entire day.
Even though mosquitoes have been around for over 170 million years, Mosquito Squad can help you take control of your property to keep you and your family safe and mosquito-free. Contact us today to learn more
804.353.6999 • info@mosquitosquad.com
The Culiseta melanura mosquito is putting the elderly at risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Posted by 33social in Culiseta melanura, Eastern equine encephalitis, EEE, Mosquito attracters, Mosquito barrier spray, Mosquito Bites, Mosquito Control, Mosquito misting, Mosquito prevention tricks, Mosquito Squad, Mosquito Types, Mosquito-Borne Illnesses & Diseases, Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes In the News, Outdoor Living Bug Free on October 2, 2011
Learn the 5 "T's" in mosquito prevention and tell those mosquitoes "bite me"
Most people think that EEE, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, is a disease that only strikes equine such as horses, ponies, mules and donkeys. Though in most cases humans are not at as great a risk of contracting EEE, those with compromised immune systems and health problems, especially among the elderly, are at a higher risk of contracting the illness. EEE is characterized by causing swelling of the brain, although some who become infected will be asymptomatic. Those older individuals that become infected with the virus are more vulnerable to experiencing the more severe side of EEE than most. Early symptoms of EEE are headache, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, cyanosis, convulsions and coma.
What is EEE?
EEE or Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a virus that is spread through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. The virus is maintained between a cycle of the mosquito and a bird, and some cases is passed onto what is called a dead-end host such as an equine or a human. Dead end hosts mean that the virus can not be passed any further once it has reached this host. Although many mosquito species are known vectors of the virus the Culiseta melanura mosquito has raised the alarm among states with high reports of EEE, especially among elderly residents and those that are immune compromised. Approximately one-third of all human EEE infections prove fatal.
Culiseta melanura
Who is the Culiseta melanura mosquito?
This mosquito can be found from Canada all the way into Florida and is unique in the way in which it is able to reproduce. Culiseta melanura are cold adapted and have the ability to over-winter their larva until the warm temperatures of spring cause them to awake and begin their vicious cycle of feeding and spreading disease. This mosquito lays its eggs in stagnated pools and wherever water accumulates in quantities of 30 to 300 eggs at one time. This mosquito can reside in a variety of places from old tires, rotting trees to wetlands. Just like other mosquito species the male primarily feeds off nectar, and the female’s feed off blood from unwitting hosts.
Mosquito Squad spraying your yard to guard against mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses.
What can I do to prevent getting EEE?
The most important way to avoid possible infection is to make sure you don’t get bitten, because the mosquito that bites you could possibly be carrying EEE. Avoid potential mosquito infested areas, make sure to inspect your yard and areas around you home on a regular basis to keep standing water from becoming a nursery for mosquitoes. This particular species of mosquito loves moist areas. Mosquito Squad has developed a helpful way to keep your property safe from mosquitoes by using a system called the 5 T’s of mosquito control. These helpful hints will keep standing water and areas that are prone to accumulated moisture to a minimum, when inspecting your property don’t overlook areas like gutters, and the crevices in outdoor furniture for they make perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes if filled with debris or moisture. You can learn more about the 5 T’s and other helpful hints by visiting http://mosquito-control-blog.com/2011/06/13/the-five-ts-in-mosquito-prevention/
The 5 T’s of mosquito control are:
- Tip
- Top
- Turn over
- Tarps ( remove)
- Toss
If you are unable to thoroughly inspect your property yourself, then ask a loved one or friend to check the areas surrounding your home for you.
No Mosquitoes
Another way to aid in protecting yourself is to have your yard treated by a licensed professional to kill and prevent mosquitoes that may possibly be lurking. Mosquito Squad offers a full-service mosquito control program from automatic mosquito misting systems to our safe and effective barrier sprays, both of which protect you and your family all season long from the Culiseta melanura and other species of mosquitoes as well.
Contact Mosquito Squad to learn more 877-667-7823 http://www.mosquitosquad.com/
City dwellers feel the wrath of the Asian tiger mosquito.
Posted by Robin Steele in All Natural Mosquito Spray, Asian Tiger Mosquito - Aedes Albopictus, Garlic Mosquito Spray, Mosquito barrier spray, Mosquito Control, Mosquito Factoids, Mosquito misting, Mosquito prevention tricks, Mosquito Squad, Mosquito Types, Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes In the News, Outdoor Events, Outdoor Living Bug Free, Tick Protection on August 5, 2011
Do your summer camp memories include mosquitoes?
Where does your memory bank take you when you think of being bitten by a mosquito? Is is that summer you went to camp and brought home the knowledge of how to tie 5 different knots, and a body covered in itchy welts? Maybe, just maybe, it was last week’s backyard barbecue when your husband outdid himself with his BBQ chicken and the mosquitoes outdid themselves as well, running all your friends home early.
When most of think about the type of setting mosquitoes prefer we picture a backyard, or the woods. We rarely ever picture a metropolis sprawling with tall buildings and alive with honking taxis, but that is exactly where officials are reporting scourges of mosquitoes, and even worse, the dreaded Asian tiger mosquito is taking up residence. It is like reading that cherished old children’s tale about the city mouse and the country mouse, the only difference is the mice are actually mosquitoes and this story is not bound for a happy ending.
On July 20th, 2011 The Wall Street Journal confirmed the presence of the Asian tiger mosquito in New York City. This mosquito loves urban areas. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is developing a cost-effective way to control these mosquitoes. The Asian tiger is showing up in urban areas such as NY city for the simple reason that urban areas stay 5-10 degrees warmer than rural areas. These mosquitoes love the heat and humidity, as they are daytime feeders as well as evening feeders, unlike other species of mosquitoes who only feed during the evening hours. The conditions are perfect for Asian tiger mosquitoes to hang out longer, and with the nationwide heat wave, we are seeing them earlier into the season as well. The Wall Street Journal cites that the Asian tiger mosquitoes arrived three months earlier this year than they did last year, this year they made their appearance in June. To read the entire WSJ article visit http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303795304576454312427933764.html
Asian Tiger Mosquito
The Asian tiger mosquito is an invasive species with its roots traced back to Southeast Asia. It showed up in America in 1985 when it hitched a ride in a shipment of used tires bound for the port of Houston, Texas. Since that fated shipment in 1985 the rest is history. These mosquitoes have spread like wildfire all the way up the East coast as far as Maine. The Asian tiger gets its name from its distinct black and white striped markings that mimic those of a tiger.
Not only do Asian tiger mosquitoes feed during the day, they are also aggressive feeders sometimes attacking their victim several times until they are satisfied. These mosquitoes also require very little water to lay their eggs in to multiply the species and thus, they multiply quickly and in large numbers. They can lay their eggs in the holes of a tree, wet leaves, ditches and very miniscule amounts of water to be efficient breeders. It is important to keep all containers turned over and thrown away to discourage infestations from beginning in your own backyard. These mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs in a container no larger that a soda bottle lid. Keeping your gutters clean and free of debris also a good way to discourage these pests from multiplying as well. Mosquito Squad outlines the important “5 T’s” to mosquito control in this informative piece http://mosquito-control-blog.com/2011/06/13/the-five-ts-in-mosquito-prevention/
Mosquito Squad keeps you and your family mosquito free
Common sense precautions are key to preventing experiencing this mosquitoes wrath. Having a licensed professional treat your property is a great way to prevent mosquitoes from your living areas as well. Mosquito Squad has a proven, safe and effective barrier spray program that kills mosquitoes that are in your yard and prevents further infestation from the residual left from the spray. These sprays are scheduled in intervals throughout the mosquito season to give you season-long mosquito control. Mosquito Squad can also install a super effective mosquito misting system on your property that is highly effective in giving you continuous control. After all, out of sight and out of mind is the best solution to dealing with mosquitoes.
Contact Mosquito Squad today to learn more and put an end to the scourge of mosquitoes on your property. Contact us at 877-667-7823 or email us at info@mosquitosquad.com we can put an end to your mosquito ( and tick) woes.
Frozen In Time- The Resilience of the Mosquito
Posted by Robin Steele in Mosquito Bites, Mosquito Control, Mosquito Factoids, Mosquito Squad, Mosquito Types, Mosquitoes, Outdoor Living Bug Free on April 4, 2011
Dread Skeeter of Mosquito Squad
Spring fever is in the air again. Every year at this time our minds start to wander and dream of outdoor activities such as gardening, picnics, baseball games and backyard cookouts. Even though we aren’t quite over the “hump” yet in terms of temperatures staying steadily warm that doesn’t mean that mosquitoes haven’t already reared their ugly heads.
I recently had a conversation with one of our regular Mosquito Squad customers who generally starts her service in early May each season. She had called me to let me know that while planting pansies in containers on her patio she had received her first mosquito bite of the season. She called and moved up her initial barrier spraying a month in lieu of the bite.
Most people think mosquitoes die out in the winter only for a new generation of the little pests to breed and appear in spring each year. This is a common misconception. Actually mosquitoes are around us all year, even during the winter months. Mosquitoes remain inactive during the winter months. Some types of mosquitoes even lay winter hardy eggs which lie dormant in our soils until spring. Other mosquitoes can survive winter in the larvae stage, in what they call a state of dispause. Dispause mimics been frozen in time, as to say, development of the larvae resumes as soon as the water the larvae is in becomes warm again.
Dead mosquito - Mosquito Squad kills mosquitoes dead
Mosquitoes are very resilient insects. The mosquitoes that can tolerate living through the winter months are the females, they hide in protected places carrying with them the results of the fall breeding after which the male dies.These eggs will not begin development until the female mosquito obtains her first blood meal in the spring.
It is best to go ahead and get your lawn and garden area mosquito proof now by cleaning up debris, brush and standing water. Chances are you already out there beautifying the area with flowers and shrubs anyway. Contact a licensed professional for other helpful hints and precautions you can take to prevent mosquito bites all season long.
Would you know an Asian Tiger Mosquito if it bit you over the head
Posted by Robin Steele in Asian Tiger Mosquito - Aedes Albopictus, Mosquito Types on June 24, 2010
The Asian Tiger Mosquito is black with white stripes
Here is a picture of an Asian Tiger Mosquito. They don’t look too much different from regular mosquitoes.
Would you know one if you saw it? What’s the difference between these an other mosquitoes.
According to Mosquito.org, there are 174 species of mosquitoes in the United States – and growing. In Maryland, there are 58 species currently identified says Larry Johnson of Mosquito Squad of Frederick Maryland on his blog. Asian Tiger mosquitoes are different from most of the other 58 species of mosquitoes identified in Maryland. They are very aggressive day feeders. They’re very fast and leave their bite before you know they’ve been there.
What makes them a little scarier is they don’t need a lot of water to breed. They can lay their eggs in tree holes, gutters, and other small places where water puddles.
Mosquito Squad treatment has shown to be effective in fighting Asian Tiger Mosquitoes in the Frederick, MD area.
Asian Tiger mosquito stripes on legs
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Asian Tiger mosquitoes are known carriers of Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus, and Encephalitis.
Mosquito Squad has 8 locations in Maryland. With Mosquito Squad, your yard is sprayed every three weeks throughout the entire summer/mosquito season eliminating 90+% of the mosquitoes in your yard. Here are the locations in Maryland:
Greater Washington DC • visit washingtondc.mosquitosquad.com (571) 830 – 8002 • email: DC@mosquitosquad.com
Annapolis • visit annapolis.mosquitosquad.com (877) 667 – 0823 • email: annapolis@mosquitosquad.com
, MD • visit westmontgomery.mosquitosquad.com (301) 444 – 5566 • email: westmontco@mosquitosquad.com
Howard County • visit howard-county.mosquitosquad.com (301) 926 – 3001 • email: howardcounty@mosquitosquad.com
Staring an Asian Tiger Mosquito in the eyes
Montgomery County • visit montgomery-county.mosquitosquad.com (301) 926 – 3001 • email: montgomerycounty@mosquitosquad.com
Frederick • visit frederick.mosquitosquad.com (301) 263 – 7220 • email: frederick@mosquitosquad.com
Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware • visit easternshore.mosquitosquad.com (443) 282 – 1164 • email: easternshore@mosquitosquad.com
Northeastern Baltimore • visit nebaltimore.mosquitosquad.com (410) 529 – 8885 • email: nebaltimore@mosquitosquad.com
To find out if there’s a Mosquito Squad near you, check out the Mosquito Squad web site:
Close-up of Asian Tiger Mosquito
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