Tap to call 231-264-6060

Tag Archives: mosquito treatment

Mosquito Season

We haven’t talked about mosquitos for some time. This is kind of ironic, considering mosquito treatments have always been one of our main ticket items. We’ve braved the storms of West Nile and Zika, laying your fears to rest. But lately, we hardly ever discuss mosquitos with you or even post about them at all. Spring is mightily attempting to conquer winter here in Northern Michigan, which means lots of scenic walks through the forest, as pictured.

What appears to be a picturesque scene to the untrained eye is nothing but a breeding ground in the eyes of a pest control technician. Something you may not know about mosquitos is how they breed. Mosquitos breed in any body of standing water; this includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Flower pots.
  2. Bogs, marshes, and ponds
  3. Puddles.
  4. Birdbaths.
  5. Rainwater barrels.
  6. Empty tires or debris – these can fill up with rainwater.
  7. Ditches.
  8. Untended yards.

Many customers call with one goal in mind: the eradication and prevention of a mosquito problem in the yard. We treat mosquitos a few ways, whatever is best for the situation and customer. However, it is important to rid your yard of any listed above (that you’re able to) in order for treatments to be most effective. To prevent the buzz of unpleasant swarms of mosquitoes around your home, you must understand one simple rule about their breeding and life cycle. The more you disrupt their breeding cycle, the fewer mosquitoes will be around to bite and annoy you. To control mosquitoes on your property, it’s important to know how they reproduce and systematically destroy potential breeding sites near your home. If there are no satisfactory places to lay eggs, the mosquitoes must look elsewhere, meaning you should see fewer of the insects around your home.

Mosquito Breeding Cycle

Each mosquito species has different breeding habits, but most need to lay their eggs near water – usually in still water. Female mosquitoes produce 100-300 eggs at one time, and the eggs typically hatch into mosquito larvae within 48 hours. For about a week, the larva transforms into a pupa, finally emerging as an adult mosquito in about two days. Within two weeks, you have an entirely new generation of mosquitoes ready to begin the cycle again. 

On the bright side, mosquitos do not breed year-round. They only become active and produce when temperatures steadily stay 50° or above. Depending on the species, temperatures less than this kills them or drives them into hibernation. For most of the US states, mosquitoes are only a concern in the warm summer months. If you live somewhere with high temperatures year-round, or even early springs, you may experience a long mosquito season.

How to Eliminate Breeding Grounds

Here are several ways you can eliminate places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs:

  1. Good pond pest control. If you have a pond or a body of water on your property, odds are you are unable to move it. You can, however, make it a less desirable mosquito haven by adding mosquito fish. One fish can eat more than 200 mosquito larvae in just one hour! Another option is to introduce bacteria known as BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis) to kill any larvae in your pond. 
  2. Cover rainwater barrels. Keep your rainwater barrels covered with a (very fine) mesh fabric to prevent mosquitoes from getting through. You can also keep the barrel completely covered when rain isn’t forecasted as a more permanent measure. If covering isn’t an option, empty your barrels within 24 hours of rain. This is before larvae will have a chance to hatch.
  3. Pump your birdbath. Birdbaths are most often filled with still water— but you can introduce a small pump to keep the water flowing. If, for some reason, this keeps the birds away (it shouldn’t), it truly is best to schedule the daily replacement of the water. It sounds extreme, but it will keep mosquitoes from successfully breeding.
  4. Eliminate debris on your property. Frequent cleanup of empty containers or surfaces where still water can collect eliminates potential breeding grounds. Regular lawn maintenance can also mean trimming back other plant life so mosquitoes can’t hide.
  5. Take a good look at the garden. Flowerpots, garden ornaments, and even paving stones often collect water and become a mosquito breeding ground. Encourage good drainage for potted plants. This will not only improve the health of your plants but also prevents mosquitoes. For garden ornaments, look for hollow pieces with small drilled holes to allow water to drain away.

Top 5 Destinations for Spring Break Pests

As spring breakers flock eagerly to the Sunshine State, another swarm gets ready to descend upon us all…pests! As the weather warms up, the bugs start coming back in full force. As Michiganders, it’s unlikely that we know what kinds of pests to expect in a different state. Pests are often an afterthought when packing for a vacation. But, as always, knowledge is power, so the more you know, the better!

What kind of bugs can you expect during springtime in Florida? Icky palmetto bugs, mosquitos, stinging insects, and more are all ready to join the party. Don’t let that stop you from your plans though.

Palmetto bug on rock

Here are the top 5 destinations you might find these spring break pests lurking.

1. Kitchens and bathrooms

The cooler weather of the Floridian winter was a nice break, especially when it came to being free of encounters of the bug kind. Palmetto bugs and roaches are back on the scene though, and your kitchen and bathroom are their favorite place to throw down. In search of moist conditions and food, they might mistake your screams for the kind of reveling partiers.

2. Anywhere there’s wood

Spring is a time for termites too, and Florida is rather prone to them. Anywhere you have exposed wood, watch for any termite damage. 

3. Your lawn

There’s something so glorious about having a nice, green lawn in Florida. Until the chinch bugs come for a spring break party, leaving dead grass patches in their wake. 

4. In your home

Did someone say, “Party?” If it’s a spring break party with Florida carpenter ants, we’ll be there. And we’ll bring plenty of refreshments to ensure these spring breakers get back out of town. They love wood damaged by termites. Chances are if you’ve got a termite party, these guys have probably turned up too.

5. Buzzing around your yard

There are two types of spring break pests that come to call at this time of year – mosquitos and other stinging insects like wasps, bees, and yellow jackets. It was so peaceful in your yard just weeks ago, but now you can’t enjoy your coffee without hearing buzzing in your ear, or worse, being chased back indoors by one of the more aggressive varieties. 

No matter where you travel, pests are to be expected. Whether they are different or the same as those we have in our home states, knowing how to avoid potential run-ins with these pests will make all the difference!

Mighty Mosquitoes

Zika. West Nile. Malaria. Encephalitis. These are but a few of the dangerous diseases commonly associated with mosquitoes. While the threat for these diseases is nowhere near as high in the United States as it is in other countries, it is still something to be mindful of; as the mosquito’s real danger goes well beyond the prick of a sting or the resulting, itchy welt. According to the CDC, mosquitoes kill more people per year around the world than any other living creature! With these astronomical numbers, it is no wonder that we are always on high alert for these insects, especially when traveling.

It is important to know that mosquitoes are simply a vector for transmitting disease; the original host is usually a bird, and in some cases horses or deer. In Michigan, the bird suspects include Blue Jays, robins, and crows, which is why their populations are monitored by health officials. The insects feed on the blood of the infected animal, and then move on from host to host. Interestingly enough, it is only the female mosquitoes that bite as they require blood to develop eggs. Males, on the other hand, are rather innocuous, feeding on plant nectars and juices instead.

Mosquito Lifecycle

Michigan has roughly 60 different species of mosquito, including Aedes Egypti, Anopheles, and Culex; All 60 species fall into 3 main categories: permanent water, floodwater, and artificial container/tree hole mosquitoes. Aptly named, all three require some type of standing water source to breed and grow, such as ponds, flooded areas, old tires and water-filled buckets.

All mosquitoes start out as an egg which hatch when they are exposed to water. The larvae, called “wigglers” because of their movement patterns, will molt several times before turning into a pupa. In the pupa, or “tumbler”, stage the mosquito will not feed. This is the final stage before they emerge from the water as adults. Adult female mosquitoes can lay up to 100 eggs about every third night after mating only once! After laying three sets the mosquito will die; her eggs will hatch, thus starting the lifecycle over again. While this cycle typically takes up to two weeks, it can range from 4 days to as long as a month.

Zika and Mosquitoes

Since mosquitoes are cold-blooded, spring is the season in which they become active— hibernating once the temperatures drop below 50 degrees. In the extreme South and Hawaii, mosquito season has been known to last throughout the year! This is why we must be mindful when traveling abroad. Many of the diseases spread most commonly by mosquitoes are contracted in countries outside of the US; most prevalently the Zika virus. It is, however, important to know that while there is no current local transmission of the Zika virus in the United States, infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects; it transfers from a pregnant woman to her fetus. A great resource to remain up-to-date on Zika can be found here.

Other Threats

Despite the threat of Zika being minimal, there are other, more easily contracted ailments. Malaria and West Nile are the most well-known, and although both transmit through the insect’s bite there are several differences; primarily, malaria is a parasite, whereas the West Nile is a virus. Only Anopheles—and only females—can transmit malaria. Malaria is caused by plasmodium, a one-celled parasite. The female Anopheles mosquito picks up the disease by drinking the blood of the infected. Unfortunately, malaria kills 80% of its hosts.

On the other hand, only around 20% of those infected with the West Nile virus exhibit mild flu-like symptoms; it is easy to beat. If you do exhibit symptoms, however, there are no medications to treat the illness, though ver-the-counter pain medications can assist in relieving the flu-like symptoms. It is important to know that less than 1% of those infected with West Nile present with serious symptoms developing into neurologic illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Another, far less threatening issue caused by mosquitoes is nuisance of their bites. The red, itchy bumps are simply a summertime annoyance. The bumps are caused by histamine produced by the body to fight off the foreign substance (mosquito saliva) that enters the area through the broken skin. Some people react worse than others who become more tolerant to a mosquito’s saliva over time. For many, the reaction remains consistent, and mosquito bites continue to be an annoyance.

Treating Mosquitoes

There is no way to eliminate all of the mosquitoes on one’s property, but they can be controlled. One of these tools is to larvicide any standing water that cannot be emptied out around a home. These areas may include ponds and catch basins. Another tool is to chemically treat the barrier of the property or area. If you’re not a prime candidate for a barrier treatment, consider purchasing a fan for the deck, patio or lawn! Mosquitoes are not strong fliers, so a fan swathing back and forth will keep them out of the area you’re trying to enjoy. This will make your BBQ or family gathering much more enjoyable while also being eco-friendly.  Maintaining awareness of the dangers that surround mosquitoes is by far the best method of protecting yourself from a potentially dangerous illness.

 

Sources:

Travelers’ Health
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information

Mosquitoes in Michigan: Here’s What To Know To Help Keep Them Away
Frank McGeorge – https://www.clickondetroit.com/health/mosquitoes-in-michigan-heres-what-you-need-to-know-the-facts

Tips and Dangers Associated with Mosquitoes in Michigan
Laura Sternberg – https://www.tripsavvy.com/mosquitoes-in-michigan-1085463

West Nile Virus | West Nile Virus | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

Malaria | About Malaria – Biology | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/index.html

HPC In The News

butch_hogarth-600sfwHogarth’s Pest Control owner Ken Hogarth was mentioned in the Traverse City Record Eagle once again, this time in an article about mosquitos. As Ken predicted back in March, this has been a terrible season for the insect. The vast amounts of standing water in inland areas has increased the number of mosquitos by the thousands. “The best time to treat them is whenever you have standing water because the treatment goes into water and kills larvae,” Hogarth said. “That’s the best time to treat them — before they hatch — but that never happens. It almost puts you at a disadvantage.”

Hogarth’s offers a spray to help prevent against mosquitoes in your yard. Contact us to set up your mosquito spray at 231-264-6060 or at [email protected].

To view the full article, click here.