Mosquitoes are flies with two wings that commonly aggravate individuals while they hike, camp, or engage in other outdoor activities during the year's warmest months. Florida is home to roughly 80 various mosquito species, many of which might transmit harmful pathogens.
The primary types of mosquitoes found in Florida include the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus), black salt marsh mosquito (Aedes taeniorhynchus), and Psorophora ciliate or “gallinipper.”
When are mosquitoes active in the Pensacola area? As cold-blooded creatures, mosquitoes struggle with functioning when temperatures reach 60 degrees and generally die when it dips to 50 degrees.
Unlike the southern part of the state that experiences year-round warmth, mosquitoes will likely not appear during the winter months in Pensacola. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that Pensacola generally experiences daily low temperatures below 60 degrees during the months of January, February, March, November, and December.
Are you struggling with an excessive mosquito population on your property? A trained Pensacola pest control professional knows the best ways how to eliminate mosquitoes from your property.
What Causes Mosquito Infestations?
Most types of mosquitoes in Florida lay their eggs in standing water; therefore, expect plenty of mosquitoes on properties with ponds, lakes, or marshy conditions. Homeowners should minimize standing water by maintaining gutter systems and removing buckets, birdbaths, tarps, and other such objects.
What scents do mosquitoes hate? Recent studies suggest that some of the most effective natural repellants include lemon eucalyptus oil, citronella, and catnip oil. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) recommends products that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and several others.
What Are Ways I Can Prevent A Mosquito Infestation?
Are you a Pensacola homeowner looking for suggestions regarding what helps keep mosquitoes away? Some of the best preventative measures include:
- Consider treating ponds, birdbaths, or other objects that hold water with a larvicide that impairs mosquito egg development.
- Keep the grass trimmed and limit overgrown vegetation that mosquitoes might use for shade during periods of direct sunlight.
- During the warmest months, avoid outdoor activity during dusk and dawn, when these pests typically remain the most active.
- Try adding mosquito repelling plants such as marigolds and Citronella Geranium to your yard.
Keep in mind that nothing is 100% effective at eliminating mosquitoes from natural, outdoor environments; therefore, individuals should wear full-length clothing that limits direct contact with the skin.
What Are The Health Risks Of Mosquito Infestations?
Although illnesses and death are possible, the vast majority of mosquito bites result in merely red, itchy bumps on the skin.
People may acquire mosquito-borne diseases from these flying pests. The West Nile virus, the Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, malaria, and dengue are the most prevalent.
Although to a much lesser extent, mosquitoes may also carry the eastern equine encephalitis (E.E.E.) virus or “triple E.” The majority of reported cases in the U.S. occur in the east coast or Gulf Coast regions during the later summer months or in early fall. Those who acquire the condition may face neurological impairments or even death. In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) reported that roughly seven “severe” cases occur on average each year, and no vaccines or proven treatment options exist.
Do mosquitoes carry Lyme disease? Lyme disease stems from a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is primarily a microorganism spread by ticks. In much of the U.S., the black-legged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) is responsible for transmission; however, on the west coast, the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is generally the source. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.), no definitive evidence suggests that Lyme disease spreads through bites from mosquitoes or fleas, lice, or flies.
How Can I Get These Mosquitoes To Get Away From My Property?
The pest control specialists with EnviroGuard have received the finest training and know how to prevent mosquitoes in yard areas. Contact our office today for a consultation.