When it's warm outside, mosquitoes are a constant threat around San Antonio homes. They usually bite around dawn and dusk, annoying residents. Most species are harmless, but some can spread potentially dangerous illnesses when they bite. Keeping these troublesome insects away will allow you to enjoy the warm weather without fearing these pests.
There are things you can do to keep mosquitoes off your property, but you'll need San Antonio pest control professionals to get them away from your home. Keep reading to learn how to prevent and remove dangerous mosquitoes from your San Antonio property.
Mosquito Means' Little Fly'
The term mosquito is Spanish for little fly because they measure between 1/8 and 3/8 of an inch. While they aren't the only flies that consume blood, they're unique because of their long, tube-like mouthparts and hairy scales. The tiny size of these pests makes them hard to find and eliminate in your yard.
The most dangerous types of mosquitoes in Texas are Culex and Asian tiger mosquitoes. They have the same body parts, but Culex mosquitoes are gray with iridescent white, silver, green, or blue scales. Asian tiger mosquitoes have white and black striped bodies and legs.
The Dangerous Diseases Mosquito Bites Can Spread
As mentioned, most mosquitoes are relatively harmless, with few making people sick. But the illnesses spread by these insects through bites can be dangerous. Some of the medical concerns from mosquito bites include the following:
- West Nile virus: Most people won't develop symptoms, but some might experience a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, and disorientation.
- Dengue: The most common symptoms include nausea, rash, and aches.
- Encephalitis: Symptoms are like those of the flu, including a high temperature, headaches, and aches.
- Chikungunya: People commonly experience fever and joint pain.
- Tularemia: Symptoms range depending on severity, but all forms cause a fever.
While few mosquito species spread these illnesses when they bite, all mosquitoes are tiny, making them hard to differentiate. You likely won't know which mosquitoes are on your property, so you should completely rid your yard of mosquitoes to be safe.
Natural Ways To Prevent Mosquitoes Around Your Yard
It might seem impossible to keep mosquitoes away because of their size and flying ability, but these insects look for specific habitats when invading properties. They need shade to shield themselves from the sun while resting and require moisture when reproducing. Here are some natural tips to keep mosquitoes away from your San Antonio home:
- Remove standing water from gutters, tires, buckets, and toys.
- Change the water in birdbaths, fountains, and plant trays weekly.
- Drain temporary pools and fill them with dirt.
- Treat and circulate swimming pool water.
These tips can help keep mosquitoes from invading your property, but you'll need professional help if they arrive. Mosquito control professionals can provide misting treatments on affected areas to remove mosquitoes and keep them from returning.
The Best Mosquito Control Solution For Your Home And Yard
Some mosquitoes are dangerous, but all of them are annoying. They'll bite during dawn and dusk, causing you to avoid the outdoors during these enjoyable parts of the day. There are things you can do to dissuade them from invading your property, but the best way to keep mosquitoes out of your yard is to call professionals.
Our service professionals at EnviroGuard will inspect your property to find the insects and conditions that attract them. We use a backpack fogging system and lay bait stations to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard, usually performing these tasks from April until October, when these pests are most active. Call us to learn more about our mosquito control plans.