Mosquitoes pose a significant problem during summer, especially when temperatures soar. They are particularly active during dusk and are unwelcome guests at outdoor cookouts, pool parties, and BBQs. Just like many other species of insects, mosquitos are cold-blooded and rely on the environment to thrive. Mosquitoes do not survive well in cool climates, so mosquitoes tend to gravitate to warm, moist areas like those found during the spring and summer months in Ohio. Mosquitoes are becoming an increasing nuisance here and can pose significant health risks spreading diseases like West Nile and Zika. In rare cases, mosquitoes can be deadly.
Mosquitoes in Ohio
Nothing is worse than participating in a backyard get-together with family and friends only to become the victim of a blood meal. Mosquitos are one of the most common flying insects; there are approximately 3500 hundred species of mosquitoes around the world. Environmental factors determine the life cycle of a mosquito, and we are well into the summer months, but did you know that mosquitoes plague the State of Ohio well into the autumn months?
Lifecycle of a Mosquito
There are four stages mosquitoes go through as they grow, including egg, larvae, pupae, and finally, the adult stage.
1. Egg: Once the female partakes in a blood meal, she will lay her eggs in the most optimal area to ensure they grow. Stagnant water is the ideal place to lay her eggs.
2. Larvae: Once the eggs have incubated, they become larvae feeding on microorganisms to thrive and grow into pupae.
3. Pupae: Once the larvae grow into pupae, they will spend from one to four days in a cocoon before emerging as adults
4. Adults: once the adults emerge from their casings, they will fly for a blood meal. Unfortunately, for Ohio residents, the mosquitoes will begin reproducing and beginning the lifecycle all over again.
If you do the math, you will come to the shocking realization that the life cycle of a mosquito ranges from four days to four weeks, depending on conditions. Do mosquitos ever go away in Ohio? Once the weather drops below a certain temperature, they will hibernate through the winter only to emerge and begin laying eggs when temperatures rise. As the population explodes, the annual fight between homeowners and mosquitoes begins.
How to Prevent a Mosquito Infiltration
Contact the experts at Defense Pest Control to schedule a comprehensive mosquito treatment and control plan. Along with a mosquito control program, some of the things you can do at home include removing all standing water sources to eliminate breeding grounds, cover or drain containers that can hold water, and ensure tarps are drained periodically, and don’t forget to clean gutters of leaves to ensure they are flowing to stop water from accumulating.
Mosquito Insect Control, Mosquito Pest Fogging & More in in Greater Cleveland area as well as Akron, Canton, Solon, Parma, Medina, OH | NE and NW Ohio
Live free from the burden of mosquitoes by contacting Defense Pest Control today to learn more about mosquito control and schedule an appointment for your Ohio home or business. You won’t be disappointed.