What Everyone In Bradenton Should Know About Mosquitoes & Dangerous Disease

There are some pests that have become so prevalent in our everyday lives that we no longer realize just how dangerous they can be. One such pest that we need to worry about here in Bradenton is the mosquito. Mosquitoes are obnoxious pests that buzz incessantly, their bites leave itchy red welts, and they swarm in seemingly infinite numbers. However, mosquitoes are far worse than just obnoxious; they’re dangerous, too. That’s because as mosquitoes feed on the blood of various animals, they spread a variety of bloodborne illnesses. Mosquitoes are considered to be the most dangerous animal on the planet. That’s right, mosquitoes are responsible for more deaths per year than any other animal, worldwide. That’s precisely why it is so important for you to know the effective mosquito prevention measures you can rely on to help lower the mosquito populations around your Bradenton property.

Mosquito Basics

Mosquitoes are fly-like insects with slim bodies, six long and slender legs, and tube-like mouthparts that they use for feeding. While you could have both male and female mosquitoes on your property, you only need to worry about the females as they are the ones who feed on blood. This is because female mosquitoes require a certain enzyme found in blood to create viable eggs. Male mosquitoes instead feed on plant nectar and other sweet substances. In addition to blood, female mosquitoes also need standing water upon which to lay their eggs. Therefore, areas with lots of standing water are literal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. This includes marshes, ponds, swamps, and even backyards that are prone to flooding.

Threats Posed By Mosquitoes

As previously stated, mosquitoes are considered to be the most dangerous animal on the planet due to the fact that there are more mosquito-related deaths each year than any other animal. This is due to the number of bloodborne diseases that mosquitoes are known to spread. While these diseases are more rampant in developing counties, people have been known to contact dangerous mosquito-borne diseases here in the United States, as well. Some diseases that mosquitoes have been known to spread include chikungunya, Zika virus, dengue, West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, and various types of encephalitis.

Mosquito Prevention Tips

When it comes to protecting yourself from mosquitoes and the various diseases that they are capable of transmitting, you need to find ways to reduce their populations around your property, as well as ways in which you can protect yourself while out and about. To lower mosquito populations around your property, you should:

• Fill in any low-lying areas of your yard that might collect water.
• Keep your lawn well-groomed.
• Trim back any vegetation around your property.
• Keep gutters free of debris to prevent pooling.
• Store any lids or containers that could collect rainwater upside down.
• Install screens in windows and exterior doors.

In addition to this, some steps you can take to protect yourself from mosquitoes while out in the world include:

• Wear long sleeves and pants to cover exposed skin.
• Avoid venturing out at times when mosquitoes are most active such as around dusk. 
• Avoid places where mosquitoes are likely to reside such as marshes, bogs, and other areas of standing water.

For More Advice & Assistance

If you have any further questions about mosquito prevention, or if you are currently dealing with mosquitoes on your Bradenton property, contact the professionals here at Keller’s Pest Control for assistance. Despite how common they are, mosquitoes are dangerous animals. That means you need to do whatever you can to keep them away from your property. So, don’t delay. Give us a call today.