Mosquitoes are a type of fly that has the capability of biting and the female of the species feeds off human and animal blood in order to lay her eggs. Throughout the world there are thought to be over 3,000 species of these flies. Not all of these species will bite humans, but a few of them are considered vectors for human and animal infectious diseases and can cause serious problems for the health of humans and animals alike. Because of this, some believe that mosquitoes are the most dangerous animal on Earth.

Mosquito Habits

Mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs, so you can find them around ponds, lakes, streams and even just standing water pools around your home. Some mosquitoes are active by day and rest at night and others are only active at night and rest during the day. Male mosquitoes are not dangerous, but female mosquitoes have the biting mouthparts necessary for feeding off humans and animals and they use this blood as protein for their eggs. The adult male and female mosquitoes actually eat nectar and other plant sugars to survive and male mosquitoes are known to help pollinate some plants. Mosquitoes are a reliable food source for many different animals, including frogs, dragonflies, birds and bats.

Threats Posed By Mosquitoes

Female mosquitoes are the only ones considered to be a threat to humans and animals; male mosquitoes are thought to be harmless. Females use their biting and sucking mouthparts to pierce the skin, inject an anti-coagulating agent and then they suck a blood meal from their victim. This normally leaves an itchy red bump on the skin and can be uncomfortable for the victim. Because female mosquitoes feed on the blood of humans and animals, they are considered vectors for infectious diseases that include eastern equine encephalomyelitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, filariasis, dengue fever, yellow fever, the West Nile virus, and the Zika virus. The three species of mosquitoes that are known to carry infectious diseases include Nopheles, Aedes and Culex mosquitoes.

For information regarding the Zika virus in the United States, click here to go to the Zika virus section of the Center for Disease Control & Prevention's (CDC) website.

Mosquito Prevention

Because mosquitoes require a water source for their breeding activities, eliminating sources of standing water can keep the population of mosquitoes around your property to a minimum. Because mosquitoes can sense sources of carbon dioxide, odors and temperature when looking for a blood meal, keeping your skin covered when you go outside can help you to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Wearing mosquito repellent can also help to keep mosquitoes away. To ensure that mosquitoes stay out of your home, make sure that there are no holes or gaps in your window screens and block up any cracks or open spaces around the foundation of your home. You can also enlist a pest management professional to help you create a mosquito control plan that will eradicate any conditions on your property that may be inviting to mosquitoes.

Pittsburgh Mosquito Control

Mosquitoes pose a health threat to you and your family and hiring a skilled pest professional to evaluate the conditions on your property that may be inviting to mosquitoes is necessary to help you create an appropriate mosquito control treatment. Our pest control professionals in Pittsburgh, Churchill, Oakmont, and throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area can help you manage a mosquito infestation using a variety of different techniques, including spray treatments.

Contact us today to learn more about our residential pest control and commercial pest control services that get rid of mosquitoes around your home or business.