While mosquitoes may not be your favorite pest, they are one of the most fascinating. With close to 3,500 species in the world, the name mosquito actually means “little fly,” even though they can only fly for short distances at a time. Not to mention, every mosquito that you’ve ever been bitten by has been female – females need human blood to develop their eggs, so they’re the only mosquitoes that are hankering to take a bite out of you.
Still, as fascinating as mosquitoes may be, they’re also considered the deadliest animal in the world – and the mosquitoes in Oklahoma are no exception. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers surrounding mosquitoes, what may attract them to your property, and what to do if too many mosquitoes are hanging around.
Why Are Mosquitoes So Dangerous For Oklahoma City Residents?
What makes mosquitoes so dangerous are the mosquito-borne diseases that some of them carry, such as:
- Zika Virus: Symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, rash, joint pain, and headaches, although not every adult may show symptoms if they’re infected. However, when pregnant women get infected with Zika, their baby is at increased risk of certain birth defects.
- Dengue Fever: When you’re bitten by a mosquito with Dengue fever, you’re likely to experience a high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, vomiting, and nausea. This disease is especially serious for anyone that already has a weakened immune system.
- Malaria: Malaria is less common for mosquitoes to carry in the United States, but it has similar symptoms to Dengue fever.
- West Nile Virus: While some people with West Nile virus may only experience mild, flu-like symptoms, others can become seriously ill and deal with swelling of the spinal cord or brain.
What Attracts Mosquitoes To Your Oklahoma City Property?
Mosquitoes may seem like a constant during the summertime, but they don’t have to be – certain things may attract these pests to your property, including:
- Flowering plants in your garden can attract these bugs. Mosquitoes feed on nectar, so you may want to keep your garden planted a significant distance away from your home.
- Tall grass and weeds provide mosquitoes with shelter, so it’s a good idea to regularly cut your lawn and maintain landscaping.
- Standing water is where mosquitoes like to breed, so if you’ve got areas in your yard that frequently become puddles, birdbaths, or other spots with excess moisture, you’ll want to get rid of them.
How To Effectively Control Mosquitoes Around Your Oklahoma City Property
Even with reducing the attractions that bring mosquitoes in, these bugs may still decide they’d like to spend the summer on your property. At that point, it may be time to call in the professionals, like those of us at Thunder Pest Control.
We’ve been handling mosquito issues for Oklahoma residents for over two decades, and our certified technicians won’t just treat your property – they’ll also help identify problem areas that could be luring these pests in.
If you’d like to learn more about our mosquito control program or you’d like to contact us for a free quote, call us today at Thunder Pest Control to find out how we can help you eliminate mosquitoes from your Oklahoma City property.
