Mosquito Identification Guide Across the Mid West and East Coast

What are mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are biting, fly-like insects that feed on human and animal blood with their extended mouthparts. These bloodsuckers take over our outdoor spaces. They're prolific breeders that thrive in warm, humid weather, and are common summertime pests. These aggressive biters, despite their small size, can ruin any time you try to spend outdoors.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Female mosquitoes bite and feed on blood in order to create healthy eggs that they lay on top of areas of standing water. The mosquito's ability to travel and feed on various hosts, allows them to transmit diseases that make people and our pets ill. These fragile insects deliver multiple, itchy bites that, if scratched at excessively, may become infected.

Diseases spread by mosquitoes in the United States include:

• West Nile virus
• Eastern equine encephalitis
• Western equine encephalitis
• St. Louis encephalitis
• La Crosse

Why do I have a mosquito problem?

If there is any standing water on your property, there are going to be mosquitoes laying eggs. While mosquitoes can travel, especially while searching for food, they tend to stay in the same area where they hatched. A single female mosquito lays about 300 eggs at a time and thousands of eggs in its life span! It takes around two weeks for eggs to develop into biting, breeding adults depending on environmental conditions, so it is easy to see how quickly mosquitoes can take over a property.

Where will I find mosquitoes in Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky?

Mosquitoes are most problematic at dusk and dawn when the temperatures are coolest. During the middle of the day, mosquitoes like to rest in tall grass under trees, along fence lines, and in dense vegetation.

Mosquitoes live wherever there are sources of food and standing water. While female mosquitoes consume blood meals, the main food source for both female and male mosquitoes is plant nectar.

If you have the following on or near your property, you'll likely have problems with large populations of mosquitoes:

• Marshes and densely wooded areas
• Drainage ditches
• Clogged gutters
• Ponds
• Wading pools
• Manmade (buckets, plant pots, tires) or natural (tree stumps or cavities) containers that allow water to collect in them.

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

Urbanex is the best choice to control mosquito numbers on your property. We offer our customers peace of mind knowing that problems with nuisance or dangerous pests will be solved and they won't return. At Urbanex, we offer modern and effective pest control services that provide maximum results. To learn why so many home and business owners trust us with their pest control needs, reach out to us today!

How can I prevent mosquitoes in the future?

Prevent problems with mosquitoes with the help of the experts at Urbanex. In addition, use the following mosquito prevention tips:

• Fill in areas in your lawn or driveway that collect rainwater to help reduce the amount of standing water on your property.
• Clean gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure they are working to direct rainwater away from your home's perimeter.
• If you have a pool or other water feature on your property, make sure the water is continuously moving.
• Store containers that collect rainwater upside down when they are not in use.
• Do not overwater gardens or potted plants.
• If you collect rainwater in a water barrel, keep a tight-fitting lid on the barrel.
• Limit the amount of flowering vegetation you have planted on your property, especially close to your home's exterior.
• Keep the grass cut short and overgrown debris cut back to keep from attracting resting mosquitoes.
• Make sure window and door screens are intact to prevent mosquitoes from flying into your home.