It's hard to avoid the annoying buzz of just a few mosquitoes hovering about outside. Now, imagine having to swat them away, left and right, day in and day out, due to an infestation in your home?
Mosquitoes are prevalent all over the United States, but in Denton, they can be particularly problematic in the spring, summer, and fall. Although mosquitoes are most active when overnight temperatures are warm and exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit, these pests can use your home to hibernate through relatively mild and short winters.
Read more to learn about the purpose of mosquitoes in Denton, a brief history of mosquito control, and the diseases that mosquitoes can transmit. We also offer some tips on natural ways to keep mosquitos out of your yard.
What Is The Purpose of Mosquitoes In Denton?
In most people's eyes, mosquitoes are purely pests, but in the wild, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Here are two of their primary functions:
- Mosquitoes are prey and serve as a food source for fish larvae, flies, frogs, birds, bats, and reptiles.
- Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, and while doing so, they transfer pollen from flower to flower, which aids in plant pollination.
A Brief History Of Mosquito Control
Long before pest control services were formally made available, Native Americans used plants such as rosemary, sweetgrass, and lemongrass to keep these pests at bay. In the late 1860s, a farmer discovered that he could use kerosene to kill mosquitoes in water trenches, and in 1892, kerosene became approved as USDA as a means of mosquito control. By the early 1960s, another pest control method saw the use of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), but the USDA stopped its use shortly after in 1972. Around this time, mosquito repellents had become famous, such as citronella candles, light traps, and bug zappers.
Today, the professionals at Double PC Exterminating are helping Denton homeowners keep mosquitoes out of their homes and away from their properties with quality pest control services. A family-owned business operated by a father-and-son duo, we pride ourselves on being child and pet-friendly and using the least amount of product to get the job done.
The Diseases Mosquitoes Can Transmit
About 200 types of mosquitoes live in the United States, and about 12 of them are known to bite and transmit diseases to people. However, there is no way to tell if an infected mosquito has bitten you until symptoms appear.
There are many types of diseases that mosquitoes can transmit, but four have been detected in North Texas. These include:
- Zika virus
- West Nile virus
- Chikungunya
- Dengue fever
Because of the possibility of sickness, it's best to keep mosquitoes away from your living space.
Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Yard
Aside from pest control services, the second-most effective way to keep mosquitoes away is preventative action. Here are three ways to avoid attracting them to your property that is both natural and preventable:
- Remove standing water from your property. Female mosquitoes need as little as an inch of standing water to lay their eggs, and mosquitoes survive best in shallow water. Clean out clogged drains and gutters, get rid of birdbaths, and be vigilant of pools of water in your yard.
- Use screens with a bugproof barrier. Be sure to repair window and door screens that have been damaged.
- Maintain your yard space by regularly mowing the grass, cleaning up yard debris, and cutting away tree limbs to avoid attracting mosquitoes.
If you've been noticing more mosquitoes than usual, call Double PC Exterminating today at (469) 331-2923.