About The Mosquito Life Cycle
Mosquitoes in Chicago are small, flying insects that bother residents. As annoying as they are, mosquitoes actually have some benefits to the ecosystem. Mosquitoes get most of their necessary nutrients from flower nectar, and they’re pollinators. This means that they help plants grow. However, female mosquitoes need protein from a blood meal in order to lay eggs. This is why they bite.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, where the eggs will hatch into larvae. It only takes eight to ten days for a mosquito to grow from an egg to an adult. That means that within two weeks, the first mosquitoes are grandparents. Although male mosquitoes only live for about a week, females can survive for months.
Why You Should Avoid Being Bitten By Mosquitoes
At a minimum, mosquito bites are annoying. The body’s reaction to a mosquito’s saliva can result in an itchy welt or a blister. But be careful—scratching the bite too much can lead to infection. It’s important that you clean mosquito bites with soap and water and try to avoid scratching them.
Mosquitoes can also spread dangerous diseases. In the United States, mosquitoes are known to be carriers of West Nile virus, dengue, encephalitis, chikungunya, and tularemia. Although these diseases are less common, they do still occur. It’s best that you avoid mosquito bites at all costs so you’re less likely to contract a disease spread by mosquitoes.
Effortless Tricks To Reduce Mosquito Numbers In Your Yard
Let’s face it; you can’t always avoid mosquitoes. But you can do your part to keep mosquitoes away from your Chicago home and to protect yourself from bites. Following these steps will prevent mosquitoes from living in your yard and lower your chances of being bitten.
- Get rid of anything that collects water
- Remove excess vegetation
- Install plants that repel mosquitoes
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts
- Apply insect repellent
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water and don’t require much. Even a bottle cap full of water can be a nesting spot. Check your yard for any objects that catch water and take them away. If there are things you want to keep outside, make sure you replace the water often or treat it with a mosquito-killing product.
Mosquitoes prefer to fly around shady areas with lots of plants. Trimming back overgrowth and removing plants that cause shade can help keep them away. You can also plant things like lemongrass and basil, known to repel mosquitoes because of their scent.
When you’re outside, take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Wearing long sleeves and long pants reduces the amount of skin you have exposed to be bitten. You can also use mosquito repellent to keep them away.
Sometimes, mosquitoes are unavoidable. But if they’re constantly hanging out around your home, your best option is to find a pest control company that will get rid of mosquitoes from your Chicago yard.
The Best Mosquito Control Solution For Chicago Yards
When it comes to mosquitoes in Chicago, Aerex Pest Control has the best options for getting rid of them. We use mosquito control methods approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), so you don’t need to worry about their environmental impact. We keep you safe from harsh chemicals and mosquitoes. To learn more about how we can get rid of mosquitoes with our effective residential and commercial pest control services in Chicago, call Aerex Pest Control today.