When people think about dangerous summer pests, the ones that come to mind are usually things like wasps, hornets, tarantulas, and scorpions. It’s true that these bad boys can pack a punch, they’re not nearly as dangerous as the unsuspecting mosquito. Mosquitoes are responsible for over one million deaths per year, making them the deadliest creature on the planet, so keeping them off of your Oklahoma City property may be more crucial than you thought.
Mosquito Appearance, Behavior, And What Makes Them So Dangerous
Mosquitoes may vary in size and color, but they all have the same gangly characteristics; a single pair of wings, six spindly legs, an elongated body, and a proboscis they use to consume their foods. It may surprise you to learn that it’s only the females that consume blood, though. Mosquitoes are mostly content with feeding on nectar and plant-based fluids, but when it’s time for the female to develop her eggs, she needs the protein in blood to make them viable.
Mosquitoes are cold-blooded, which means they can’t survive during colder seasons, but they also have trouble retaining moisture, which also means they can’t handle extreme heat. This leaves them in a delightful limbo, where they have to hide away in shaded areas during the hotter hours of the day. They’re only ever active between dusk and dawn when the sun sets and the environment cools down. It’s during that time that the females can find their blood meals, and spread the potentially deadly pathogens they may be carrying:
- Zika Virus
- Dengue Fever
- Encephalitis
- West Nile Virus
- Chikungunya
- Malaria
- Yellow Fever
The Do’s And Don’ts Of Mosquito Prevention On Your Oklahoma City Property
With all of the information available on the internet these days, you’re sure to come across some pretty creative prevention methods for pest control. Some can be effective, but some aren’t, and a lot of the more popular methods are actually the ones that fall short. For example, citronella is a great repellent, but citronella candles and oil burners aren’t. Unless the wind is calm and there isn’t a breeze in sight, the effectiveness of these products is minimum to none, and burning citronella oil may even expose you to harmful carcinogens.
Mosquito prevention requires more than just a quick fix like fabric sheets or essential oils, which have also been proven to be ineffective. What your Oklahoma City property needs to keep mosquitoes away is lawn care maintenance:
- Dump out any standing water around your property
- Make sure your lawn is draining properly by aerating the soil
- Mow your lawn at least once a week
- Trim back bushes, low-hanging branches, and clear out any underbrush around your property
- Clean out gutters and drains regularly
- Keep tight-fitting lids on all outdoor trash cans to deter other wildlife, which is another food source for female mosquitoes
- Wear long sleeves and pants during the evening
- Apply bug spray whenever you go outside
Why You Should Trust The Pros For Mosquito Extermination On Your Oklahoma City Property
Trying to exterminate any outdoor pest is going to be tricky, but it’s especially bothersome when it comes to mosquitoes. You may kill off the adults, but eggs stay submerged in water, and even if they dry out they can go dormant for months until they come in contact with more water. If you have an overwhelming population of mosquitoes on your Oklahoma City property, chances are you won’t be able to get rid of them on your own.
Thunder Pest Control has a mosquito treatment plan specifically designed for extermination and prevention, not only killing the adult mosquitoes, but also eliminating potential larvae, and making your property toxic to them while still keeping it family-friendly. We even provide lawn care help by removing potential standing water areas and clearing out thick unwanted foliage. We pride ourselves on providing safety and protection for our customers, so get in contact with us today. You’ll be sorry you didn’t hear about us sooner!
