While the peak of mosquito season can last five to six months in Birmingham, your yard is susceptible to these pests all year long – but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what Birmingham homeowners should know about the lifecycle of the common mosquito, how mosquitoes are dangerous to you, how to naturally repel them, and how pest control in Birmingham can help.
The Average Life Cycle Of Mosquitoes
Alabama tends to be one of the worst states for mosquitoes, and while these critters may live less than a month, their bodies go through four different stages of development during this time, including:
Egg
An adult female mosquito lays her eggs on the surface of standing water, which can be anything from a birdbath, pond, or even an old tire in your yard. If the conditions are right, the eggs will hatch into larvae within forty-eight hours of being laid.
Larvae
As larvae, mosquitoes live in the water as they develop. They’ll still need to return to the surface to breathe, but they feed on microorganisms and other organic matter in the standing water. Mosquito larvae will also molt and shed their skin four times until they become a pupa.
Pupa
Mosquitoes only spend about two days in the pupal stage, and while they still respond to light and other stimuli, their bodies are still resting and preparing to become adults.
Adult
Once their skin has split during the pupal stage, mosquitoes are now adults with fully-formed wings. As adults, it will still take a few days before mosquitoes are ready to mate or start looking for a blood meal.
Mosquitoes And The Diseases They Carry
Are mosquitoes dangerous? Here’s what you need to know:
- Mosquitoes can carry and transmit dangerous diseases like Zika virus, West Nile virus, Yellow fever, Dengue fever, and more to humans
- Some mosquitoes may also carry parasites, like heartworm, which they can transmit to dogs or livestock that they bite
- Some people also have Skeeter syndrome, an allergy to mosquito bites that can cause full-body, sensitive reactions
- Mosquitoes leave itchy, red bumps behind when they bite you. If you’re itching the bite and bacteria gets into the wound, there’s a chance you may develop a secondary skin infection
Keep in mind that not all mosquitoes carry diseases or viruses, and getting bitten by a mosquito doesn’t guarantee you’ll end up with a mosquito-borne illness. However, the risk of catching a disease is always possible.
Do Natural Mosquito Repellants Normally Work?
Many homeowners wonder about natural ways to get mosquitoes out of the yard, but do these natural repellants work? While using natural repellants may keep mosquitoes away temporarily, they usually aren’t permanent solutions.
If you want to get rid of mosquitoes in backyard, you’ll need to work with the pros at a professional pest control company like EnviroCare.
Professional Mosquito Control To Keep Mosquitoes At Bay
Mosquitoes in Alabama can be a constant problem throughout the year. Although you can take steps to limit attraction to your yard or home, the best way to control mosquitoes is by working with EnviroCare.
Serving Birmingham, we’ve been the trusted choice for mosquito control and management for years. Not only are our treatments tough on mosquitoes, but they’re still gentle on the environment and your Birmingham yard.
Suppose you’re constantly fending off mosquitoes on your property or need to keep them away for a special event. In that case, we’re only a call away – contact us today at EnviroCare to learn more about how our mosquito control works or to request a free quote for our services.