While many of the pests in Yakima County are considered nuisance pests and are relatively harmless, mosquitoes are much worse. They are actually considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in the entire world because of their ability to transmit diseases. Because of this, it’s important to do what you can to protect your home and family from the risks of mosquitoes.
To do so, you’ll need to know the basics of this species. First of all, you can identify mosquitoes by their long, nose-like appendage called a proboscis. These flying insects use this body part to drink blood and nectar, but it's only the females that bite. Mosquitoes have six thin legs and long, skinny bodies, and they usually are grey with a mix of markings or other coloration.
Mosquitoes need two main elements to thrive: standing water and shade from plants. They lay their eggs in standing water, and in the heat of the day, they will rest in the shade that leaves provide. Because of this, they will generally be found near water sources or in overgrown areas.
Are Mosquitoes Really That Dangerous?
When talking about how mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, it might sound like an exaggeration. However, it’s really not at all. Mosquitoes spread a wide range of very serious illnesses including malaria, dengue, Zika virus, West Nile virus, as well as many more.
Because mosquitoes will bite both animal and human hosts, they are able to spread pathogens from back and forth between species which is part of why they transmit so many diseases. In fact, there are an estimated one million deaths every year caused by mosquitoes. While many of these diseases aren’t as common in the United States, mosquito-borne illnesses happen here, too.
Five Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Out Of Your Yard
Because the risks of mosquito bites are serious, taking steps to keep these creatures away from your property in the first place is essential. While mosquitoes can be a rather difficult pest to control, you can reduce or eliminate the factors that attract them by following these five steps:
- To start with, remove standing water. This means cleaning out gutters and ensuring rainwater can drain as well as eliminating other places water collects.
- If you have hot tubs, pools, or water fountains on your property, make sure to treat these with the correct chemicals and keep them clean with cycled water. Always use covers whenever possible.
- Reduce the areas where mosquitoes can rest around your property by regularly trimming foliage.
- Keep your yard mowed and remove organic debris like grass clippings.
- The only truly effective way to keep mosquitoes away for good is with help from the experts at Prosite
Protect Your Home From Mosquitoes
Because mosquitoes can be prevalent in particular areas, especially if you live near things like ponds or lakes, they can be difficult to eradicate. They also reproduce quickly making it nearly impossible to control their population on your own.
Luckily, the professionals at Prosite provide reliable mosquito control problems that can effectively reduce the number of mosquitoes and keep them away. Just give us a call today to request your consultation and get started with keeping mosquitoes from your property for good.