The obnoxious drone of a mosquito in your ear. The itch and swell of a bite on your arm. The spread of disease. Mosquitoes can quickly turn outdoor fun into a nightmare. This may leave you wondering, are mosquitoes good for anything other than this? In fact, what are mosquitoes good for?
While it may seem that these bugs are just menaces, they do fit into the larger ecosystem. Learn about mosquitoes, their role, and the reasons scientists and pest control specialists work to remove some types. Then, learn how Mosquito Joe® can help you maintain control over mosquitoes on your property.
The Role of Mosquitoes In The Ecosystem
Mosquitoes have existed for 100 to 200 million years. Many types of mosquitoes have been preserved in amber, allowing humans to study their prehistoric existence. To put it simply, mosquitoes have been around for a long time and are extremely resilient insects. Their long history is an indicator that they play an important role in our ecosystem. But what exactly is it?
Food Source
Like other insects, mosquitoes are part of the food chain. They are plentiful and easy to catch, serving up the perfect meal for many different types of animals. Depending on the animal and their life stage, they may gravitate toward mosquito nymphs or adult mosquitoes.
Animals that eat mosquito nymphs include:
- Ants
- Aquatic beetles
- Backswimmers
- Bats
- Copepods
- Dragonfly nymphs
- Frogs
- Fish
- Salamanders
- Toads
- Turtles
Animals that eat adult mosquitoes include:
- Birds
- Bats
- Damselflies
- Frogs
- Spiders
- Turtles
Birds that particularly love mosquitoes include nighthawks, purple martins, bluebirds, red-eyed vireos, Eastern phoebes, common grackles, sparrows, yellow warblers, downy woodpeckers, house wrens, Baltimore orioles, chickadees, titmice, barn swallows, and hummingbirds.
Pollination
Mosquitoes are also important for the environment as pollinators. In addition to blood, plant nectar can be a primary food source for them. When mosquitoes collect nectar from one plant to the other, they can also transfer pollen. This fertilizes the plants and encourages them to reproduce. Mosquitoes most commonly pollinate flowering plants in wet environments. They are well-known pollinators for orchids, in particular.
What Is The Purpose of Mosquitoes?
Science indicates that mosquitoes may aid in population control. They can carry and spread diseases among different species, reducing some populations that aren’t able to fight off the illness. Mosquitoes can also impact animal migration patterns. For example, caribou in the arctic and subarctic areas will seek windy conditions to escape mosquito swarms, sparing plants and other crops from being crushed and eaten.
What If Mosquitoes Went Extinct?
Conversely, their absence could negatively impact populations. If mosquitoes went extinct all at once, there would likely be noticeable consequences for the broader ecosystem. Many animals would need to adapt their food sources quickly. However, a mass extinction of all types of mosquitoes is highly improbable. Gradual extinctions are marked by ongoing adaptation of the ecosystem, which is the more probable scenario if mosquitoes were to die off. In other words: When an extinction is gradual, other life forms find a way to keep going.
How Mosquitoes Affect Human Life
Despite some of the benefits mosquitoes offer our ecosystem, they can also cause a great deal of harm and discomfort that propel people to take action against them.
- Disease risk: Many communities make efforts to reduce mosquito populations when they test positive for life-threatening diseases. More than 400 species of mosquitoes carry devastating diseases like dengue and malaria. That’s why there are global scientific efforts to control mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti using biotechnology and other suppression techniques.
- Allergic reactions: Most people have some type of reaction to a mosquito bite, such as developing a small, itchy bump. Others may experience swelling, redness, a fever, discharge, and more severe symptoms that could require a visit to the emergency room and a round of antibiotics. Families with loved ones who are allergic to mosquitoes will often seek mosquito control treatment to help prevent adverse reactions.
- Discomfort: Mosquitoes can also impact comfort and enjoyment of the outdoors. Their buzzing and pinching bites can be a distraction at any backyard barbeque or campfire, encouraging homeowners to take action so they can spend time outside without swatting.
If you resonate with any of these problems caused by mosquitoes, rest assured that Mosquito Joe is here to help. With a range of mosquito control services available, we can provide you with the comfort you deserve.
How To Keep Mosquitos In Check With Mosquito Joe
You understand mosquitoes have a purpose, but that doesn’t mean you want them in your backyard. Luckily, you can layer our Mosquito Joe services with home techniques to truly enjoy your outdoor space without the buzzing and biting. Consider these tips:
- Get rid of standing water: Mosquitoes love standing water to breed. Identify and remove excess water from your property to help remove their breeding grounds.
- Plant mosquito-repelling plants: Plants such as rosemary, lemongrass, lavender, marigolds, mint, and eucalyptus could help keep mosquitoes away. Consider planting them around your deck or other outdoor living space.
- Barrier spray treatments: Our popular mosquito barrier spray offers up to 21 days of protection. Our trained professionals will target key areas where mosquitoes breed for long-lasting control.
- Eco-friendly pest control: You may notice that mosquitoes are more bothersome during certain times of day. Our automated defense systems use preset timers to automatically spray your property at designated times, giving you mosquito relief when you need it most.
- Commercial pest control for mosquitoes: In addition to residential services, we also offer commercial mosquito control to ensure your business is comfortable and bite-free.
Trust Mosquito Joe to tackle your pest problems. Contact us today to set up a free inspection. We also offer free estimates so you understand the costs associated with your preferred treatment.
Keep in mind that you’re not tied to any contracts, and our services are all backed by The Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and our Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee. Locally owned and operated, it’s important to us that our customers are happy.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
