Don’t Let Mosquitoes Drain Summer Fun!

Summer is in full swing.  Warm temperatures and rain create the perfect environment for mosquitoes to thrive.  Mosquitoes have the potential to transmit a variety of diseases to people and their pets.  Various pathogens, such as West Nile virus and dog heartworm, can be transmitted by mosquitoes.  By reducing the mosquito population in an area, the risk of disease transmission may also be reduced. 

Anatomy

Standing water is a desirable breeding ground for adult female mosquitoes as they lay eggs anywhere water accumulates from bird baths to flower pots.  Mosquito eggs hatch into small larvae that feed on organic matter in the water.  After a relatively quick period of development, larvae turn into pupae.  From pupae that live in the water, adult mosquitoes emerge to terrorize animals that can provide them a blood meal.

Behavior

Interestingly, only female mosquitoes bite to obtain food for their developing offspring, as blood is usually required to produce eggs.  In many cases, mosquitoes are crepuscular and begin searching for prey in the evening.  However, other species of mosquitoes attack during the day. When mosquitoes are not searching for a blood meal, they rest in bushes, trees and other protected, shady areas. 

Treatment

When treating mosquito resting sites, an adulticide combined with an insect growth regulator (IGR) reduce mosquito populations. Demand^® CS or Demand EZ,  a recommended adulticide, can be tank mixed with Archer^®, an IGR.  Shrubs, trees and other vegetation, as well as areas under decking, are all potential resting sites for mosquitoes that should be treated.  When applying Demand and Archer, it is important to cover the undersides of leaves, another comfortable resting spot.

To safeguard an area, eliminate standing water and treat surrounding foliage. Containers that collect water should be removed or emptied frequently.  Surprisingly, ornamental fish ponds are a lower risk of breeding mosquitoes, since fish eat mosquito larvae.