Greensboro’s warm summers – averaging 79° F – are one of the things that makes it such a family-friendly place to live. But if you don’t take precautions, some unwanted visitors could seriously disrupt your backyard summer fun.
Those warm, muggy summers are perfect for mosquitoes, particularly Aedes and Culex varieties. Both carry diseases that can be fatal. Over 1 million people die worldwide each year from mosquito-borne illnesses.
We’ve all tried DIY mosquito control options, such as removing standing water and cutting down long grass. But to give your family the highest level of protection, you need to call in professionals.
In this mosquito control guide, we explore professional backyard mosquito control options. You’ll see why you should take out a pest home protection plan today.
How Mosquito Infestations Occur
To understand professional mosquito control options, you need to know a little about how mosquitoes operate. There are over 200 types of mosquitoes, but the two most common in Greensboro and surrounding areas are Aedes and culex.
Aedes Mosquitoes
Aedes mosquitoes love standing water around vegetation. They’re also partial to shady artificial containers with water in them. They can also lay their eggs when standing water develops in tree holes.
Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite. They need the extra protein they extract from blood to create eggs. The Aedes mosquitoes then lay their eggs in containers.
The eggs can hatch in a few days if they have access to water. If not, they can dry out and hatch up to 8 months later when they get wet. They look like small pieces of black dirt and can stick to the sides of containers.
Once the eggs hatch, they form larvae. They live in the water and are sometimes called “wigglers.”
Within a few days, they develop into pupae. Then, a few days later, the adult mosquito emerges, ready to start the cycle again.
Ae. aegypti mosquitoes can also live inside your home if the conditions are right. They are a known vector for these viruses:
- Zika
- Yellow fever
- Dengue
- Chikungunya
In total, it only takes a week to ten days for a mosquito to develop from an egg to an adult.
Culex Mosquitoes
The life cycle of Culex mosquitoes is similar to Aedes, but with a few differences.
Firstly, they lay their eggs on the surface of the water. They prefer larger water sources, such as ponds, swimming pools, etc. The eggs all stick together and float on the water, much like a raft.
They go through a similar process to Aedes and emerge within 7-10 days. But they only live outside, not indoors. And they prefer to bite animals, especially birds.
If they can’t find enough birds to feed on, they’ll move on to humans. They’re responsible for spreading the following diseases:
- Japanese encephalitis
- Lymphatic filariasis
- West Nile fever
Mosquito repellent is not enough for backyard mosquito control options. Professionals take a dual approach to the problem.
Dual Approach to Mosquito Control
Pest control professionals know they must attack both the adult and developing mosquitoes.
Taking out the adults is essential as it reduces the number of breeding mosquitoes that can lay eggs and continue the breeding cycle. But they must also disrupt breeding further by eliminating the larvae and pupae.
Residual Adulticide
There are two forms of adulticide – an insecticide that kills adult mosquitoes.
There are liquid adulticides that kill mosquitoes on contact. But more effective are residual adulticides. They are applied to vegetation and buildings and allowed to dry. When the mosquito lands on a treated surface, it will die.
Pest control professionals can use this around your property. There are several EPA-approved adulticides available only for professionals to use. They will use their knowledge and experience of mosquito control options and the mosquitoes in your area to choose the most effective product.
Pest control will apply adulticide to the area around the foundation of your house where mosquitoes love to hang out. They’ll also treat the surrounding landscape. Because it dries and remains in place, this can continue to give protection after the initial treatment.
Depending on the temperature, you’ll need back and sometimes front yard mosquito control from April through October.
Treating Breeding Sites
Treating breeding sites with larvicide is a critical part of backyard mosquito control. It kills the mosquitoes before they can develop into breeding adults.
Professionals have the experience to know where these larvae could be hanging out. They’ll scour your property, looking for and treating any container with standing water.
Mosquito control requires ongoing treatments and monitoring during the summer months. It’s never possible to eliminate mosquitoes in your yard. Even if your yard is mosquito-free, they can get in from neighboring properties.
Regular professional mosquito control treatments throughout the summer can significantly impact the number of mosquitoes buzzing around while you’re grilling on the back deck. It’s a good idea to work with a pest control company and choose a regular treatment plan to keep them at bay.
Choose Pest Management Inc. for Professional Mosquito Control Options
DIY mosquito control options are essential and can help to disrupt their breeding grounds. But professional mosquito control takes it to another level.
Professionals have access to more effective insecticides. With regular visits throughout the summer, they can help to keep their numbers down.
At Pest Management Inc., we understand the types of mosquitoes that affect the Winston-Salem and Greensboro areas. We have decades of experience in providing treatments that work.
Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our pest control specialists.
