Mosquito Myths and Facts

At Mosquito Joe, we know how annoying mosquitoes can be, especially when trying to enjoy your backyard with your friends and family. Not only do their bites cause terrible itchiness and irritation, but these pests can also carry diseases. Because mosquitoes are such an annoyance, there have been many theories to explain their behavior, tips and tricks to keep them away and suggested home remedies. To help decipher facts from fiction, Mosquito Joe is here to debunk those myths, so you have all of the important facts about these pests.

MYTH: BOTH MALES AND FEMALES BITE.

Only female mosquitoes bite, while male mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices. Female mosquitoes use the protein from the blood she takes from humans and other animals to develop her eggs.

FACT: ONE MOSQUITO CAN LAY THOUSANDS OF EGGS.

A single female can lay deposits of up to 300 eggs at a time on the water surface. One mosquito can also lay eggs three to four times during their lifetime before dying. That means that a single female mosquito can lay up to 1,200 eggs, all in your backyard in as little as a bottlecap of water.

MYTH: THE MOSQUITO DIES AFTER BITING A HUMAN.

Unlike some species of bees, mosquitoes do not die after biting a human. In fact, some species are known to bite multiple times throughout the night until they are full. 

For example, when a honey bee strikes, the barb gets stuck in the person or animal being stung, the stinger gets ripped out and the bee dies instantly. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, pierce the skin with a proboscis, or mouthpiece. When the mosquito is done feeding, it doesn’t leave the proboscis behind, so it flies away full and unharmed.

FACT: CERTAIN BLOOD TYPES CAN ATTRACT MORE MOSQUITOES.

Research has found that people with Type O blood are twice as attractive to mosquitoes than those with Type A blood. Those with Type B fall in the middle. On top of that, 85% of people produce a secretion that signals what blood type they are. So, if you are Type O and a secretor, mosquitoes probably think you’re pretty tasty. You can learn more about why you are a magnet for mosquitoes here.

MYTH: EATING CERTAIN FOODS CAN REPEL MOSQUITOES NATURALLY.

There are certain fragrances you can apply to your skin, such as lavender and peppermint essential oils to deter mosquitoes from biting you. However, there is no scientific evidence showing that eating certain foods will help naturally repel mosquitoes. 

On the other hand, researchers found that mosquitoes land on beer drinkers significantly more than their non-beer drinking counterparts. Mosquito Joe wants you to have a good time – that’s why we get rid of the buzz so you can enjoy yours.

FACT: MOSQUITOES ARE CONSIDERED THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL ON THE PLANET.

While sharks only cause 10 deaths per year, mosquitoes cause 750,000 deaths a year. Mosquitoes kill by carrying a host of deadly diseases, such as malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever and dengue fever. More than half of all mosquito-related deaths can be attributed to malaria, and most of these cases originate in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue fever is another mosquito-borne illness that is common in Asian and Latin American countries.

You can help put an end to malaria by donating to our partner, Nothing But Nets. For every $10 donated, two-bed nets will be donated to areas in need of protection from this life-threatening disease.

MYTH: BUG ZAPPERS EFFECTIVELY CONTROL MOSQUITOES.

Bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and water vapor in the breath of mammals, not ultraviolet light. In fact, research shows that yards with bug zappers had higher numbers of female mosquitoes than those without bug zappers. This is because the bug zapper actually kills insects that eat mosquitoes.

FACT: MOSQUITO JOE RIDS YOUR YARD OF MOSQUITOES SO YOU CAN ENJOY OUTSIDE AGAIN.

Mosquito Joe offers unique solutions to make outside fun again – without the nuisance of pesky mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Our certified and trained technicians visit your property to provide a barrier treatment, delivering effective outdoor pest control treatments to make your yard itch-free.

Tired of battling mosquitoes in your backyard? No contracts are required and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Give us a call at 855-ASK-A-JOE for more information or request a FREE quote at mosquitojoe.com.

Back

But What If It Rains?

One factor that can be particularly impactful to our services and the mosquito population overall is rain. We know this can raise questions when it comes to your barrier treatment, so we’ve got a few tips to make sure your yard stays itch-free, no matter what mother nature throws your way.

As long as your yard has had adequate time to dry after the application of your treatment (approximately 30 minutes), rain should not impact the effectiveness of your service. Our product is not significantly broken down by water! 

While our product is not affected by rain once it is dry, it is important to note that increased rainfall generally causes an increase in mosquito population since mosquitoes lay their eggs and their larvae live and grow in the water. However, given some time, our product will continue to reduce the mosquitoes on your property. 

With many areas in the country experiencing higher than average rainfall this season, it’s likely standing water will accumulate on your property which could be a potential breeding area for mosquitoes. To ensure that there is no standing water in your yard, follow the below checklist prior to expected rainfall: 

  • Get rid of any old items that could hold water such as old tires, buckets or cans.
  • Be sure to empty any kiddie pools and toys. Turning them over and leaving them upside down overnight can help drain any water.
  • Clean out any standing water in flower pots.
  • Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
  • Be sure your gutters are cleaned at least two times a year and have them checked more frequently if your area experiences heavy rain and wind.
  • Keep garbage pails covered tightly.
  • If you have a boat, canoe or kayak in your driveway, be sure it is covered or drained of any water.
  • Change or drain tarps for firewood or outdoor pools, as well as check your barbecue cover daily for any pooled water.
  • Change the water in birdbaths daily. We also suggest purchasing a water agitator for birdbaths which is designed to attract birds, but discourages mosquitoes!
  • Lastly, we recommend keeping your lawn cut short. Short grass will help deter adult mosquitoes from hanging around, as they prefer to rest in cool, damp and shady areas.

The MoJo Guarantee

Mosquitoes suck, but we are confident that you won’t feel that way about our mosquito control services. For that reason, we offer our MoJo Satisfaction Guarantee and never lock you into a contract. If you are not completely satisfied with the effectiveness of our mosquito, tick and flea treatments, contact us within 14 days of your service and we will schedule a time to reassess your property, and if needed, provide a booster treatment at no additional cost. We pride ourselves on customer service and our job is not done until you’re happy and outside is fun again!

There’s no job too big or too small for us here at Mosquito Joe, so give us a call today for a free quote at 855-ASK-A-JOE or mosquitojoe.com

Back

Types of Mosquitoes

We know that mosquitoes can be a nuisance and ruin our outdoor fun, but they can also pose a far more serious threat. In fact, mosquitoes are considered one of the deadliest animals in the world due to the diseases they can transmit. Mosquitoes are guilty of spreading diseases, such as malaria, West Nile virus, Zika virus and much more. With 12 genera and about 176 species of mosquitoes in the United States, below are 3 major species that are culprits of spreading disease and causing those painful, itchy bites.

The Anopheles mosquito, better known as the malaria mosquito, can be found in every continent except for Antarctica. As you can guess from the name, this mosquito is known universally for being the primary vector of malaria. The Anopheles mosquito is also responsible for transmitting heartworm disease to animals. The female malaria mosquito can lay her eggs in a wide range of locations, including inground pools, small streams, freshwater marshes and any other place with clean, slow-moving water. The Anopheles mosquito is most active at two times: just before dawn and right after darkness sets. An interesting fact about the malaria mosquito is that they can still be found in areas where malaria has been eradicated, because the parasite that spreads the disease has been eliminated, not the mosquito itself.

The Aedes mosquito was originally found in tropical and subtropical zones, but can now also be found in all countries except Antarctica. They are visually distinctive because they have noticeable black and white markings on their bodies and legs. The Aedes mosquito is also unique in that they are active and bite only during the daytime, mostly early in the morning and in the evening before dusk. Some of the biggest culprits in the Aedes genus include:

  • The Aedes aegypti mosquito, aka Yellow Fever mosquito: The Aedes aegypti generally lives indoors and near people, resting in cool shaded places in houses, such as wardrobes, laundry areas and under furniture. They are sneaky pests that normally bite around people’s feet and ankles and may bite repeatedly. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is most known for spreading yellow fever, a viral infection that can cause fever, headache and nausea.
  • The Aedes Albopictus Mosquito, aka Asian Tiger Mosquito: The Aedes Albopictus is the most invasive mosquito species in the world. The female Asian tiger mosquitoes leave behind an itchy, red bump on the skin while you are trying to enjoy your outdoor activities. They also lay their eggs in stagnant water, which can be found in old tires, flowerpots, birdbaths and clogged trains. That means something as small as a bottle cap can hold enough water for larvae, the immature form of insects, to develop.

The common house mosquito gets its name from its typical behavioral pattern – coming into your house and biting you between sunset and sunrise, disrupting your night with multiple itchy, painful bites. The Culex mosquitoes are weak flyers and do not fly very far from where they develop as larvae. Their adult lives are short, rarely more than 15 days. An interesting fact about these mosquitoes is that unlike other mosquitoes that die when the winter months arrive, the house mosquito can hibernate during winter in protected places like sewers, crawlspaces and basements.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Fortunately, Mosquito Joe is here to help you rid your yard of any mosquito that is ruining your outdoor fun, as well as protect you from mosquito-borne illnesses. Here are a few ways you can help make sure mosquitoes don’t call your yard home:

  • Regularly empty ponds, bird baths, fountains, buckets, kids toys and anything else that may gather water.
  • Drill holes in tire swings, trash cans and recycle bins so stagnant water cannot accumulate.
  • Cut grass and shrubs short – adult mosquitoes gather to rest in shady areas.
  • Clean out gutters to avoid standing water.
  • Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
  • Call Mosquito Joe to rid your yard of mosquitoes and create a protective barrier around your property.

From barrier treatments, all-natural treatments, special events and more, we can provide many different mosquito control options that best fit your needs. Our team is built of mosquito control experts and we’re here to help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds on your property. If you would like more information on how we can eliminate these pesky mosquitoes so you can get back to enjoying your yard, find your local Mosquito Joe and give them a call today!

Back