Mosquitoes Common To North Carolina
There are several types of Mosquitoes in the area, but these are the ones that we need to worry about in Wilmington.
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Yellow Fever Mosquito
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Northern House Mosquito
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Common Malaria Mosquito
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Asian Tiger Mosquito
Mosquitoes are very common. There are 3,500 known types of mosquitoes worldwide, however, not all of them bite or spread disease. Most of them are just annoying, preferring to spend their time buzzing around your head. Day or night, it matters not to them. It only takes a few of them to start an outbreak in a community, potentially making hundreds of people sick.
Mosquitoes live anywhere people, birds, animals or reptiles are thriving. They flock to sweet smells, exhaled carbon dioxide, dark-colored clothing, pregnant women, and type O Blood. Their life span is only between two and four weeks, so they are all work and no play.
Mosquito Diet
Contrary to common belief, not all mosquitoes bite or suck blood. Less than half of the mosquito population does. They lay their eggs in water and when they hatch, the larvae consume algae and microorganisms found there. Adult mosquitoes eat nectar, aphid honeydew & plant juices. It’s only the females that include a blood meal into their diet.
So Why Do They Need My Blood?
Female mosquitoes need your blood to lay eggs. The amino acids and proteins in your blood give them what they need to produce the genetic material. An adult female mosquito usually lays 100 eggs per cycle. Since the females can mate almost immediately after emerging from their pupal casings the population growth is very rapid. The average female lays about 1000 eggs during her life cycle.
The Best Way To Protect My Family
The threat mosquitoes pose is real and should be taken seriously. Besides itchy red welts on your skin, mosquito bites can potentially carry a multitude of dangerous diseases. Here are some ways to prevent mosquitoes from gathering on your North Carolina property and using your family as a buffet:
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Remove standing or stagnant water, it is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. This includes unattended birdbaths, potted plants with saucers, clogged gutters, old tires, and basically any vessel that could hold water.
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Remove leaf mold or any type of damp decaying plant matter. Hedges, shrubs, and grass should be trimmed regularly.
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Do not leave your pet’s water bowls out overnight.
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Use repellant when spending time outside.
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Wear long-sleeved, light-colored clothing.
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Contact a pest control company.
By the time you have noticed a mosquito problem on your Wilmington property… It's a big problem. A quarterly service from Bug-N-A-Rug Exterminators will ensure that you never have to get to this point. We will not only keep your home free of year-round pests but we will also preemptively protect your property from the seasonal invasion of mosquitoes. Call for a free mosquito service estimate today.
