Huntsville, a wonderful southern city, is surrounded by picturesque mountainside views in the Appalachian region of Alabama. It’s a great place to live with very few downsides. However, one obstacle residents in the Huntsville area face frequently is invasions of dangerous and problematic pests onto their properties. Of the variety of pests that cause problems on Huntsville properties, one of the most frequent and potentially dangerous are mosquitoes.
The Lifecycle Of The Huntsville Mosquito
The life cycle of common mosquitoes consists of four separate stages and typically takes around two weeks to complete. A female mosquito begins the process by laying eggs after consuming a blood meal from a human or animal host. The first three stages of the mosquito's life cycle, from egg to larva to pupa, occur in water and are the stages in which its body forms. At the end of the pupa stage, the mosquito’s body parts have hardened, and it emerges from the water as a flying adult.
Mosquitoes And Disease
Mosquitoes are primarily a nuisance pest; they bite and cause itchy sores with little pain that typically vanish within a few days. However, you should always take mosquitoes seriously as they are vectors of disease and can be extremely dangerous through the spread and transmission of hazardous viruses. The types of diseases that these pests can spread range from common illnesses to life-threatening international viruses.
Diseases carried by mosquitoes include:
- Encephalitis
- Malaria
- Zika virus
- Chikungunya fever
- Dengue
Because mosquitoes pose risks that are potentially life-threatening, you should take any signs of mosquito activity in your home or in your yard seriously. Reach out to the experts at EnviroGuard to learn more about the dangers that a mosquito infestation on your property presents and how to prevent them from targeting your home.
Six Natural Mosquito Repellants: What Works And What Doesn't
Although an infestation of mosquitoes will require professional service to eliminate, there are practical ways for homeowners to defend their property from mosquitoes. Using natural mosquito repellants will make your home and yard a much less attractive target for these blood-sucking pests, but it is important to use proven and effective repellants.
Effective natural mosquito repellants include:
- Lavender
- Cinnamon
- Thyme
- Lemon eucalyptus oil
- Marigold plants
- Sage plants
Commonly used repellants that are not effective at keeping mosquitoes away include:
- Citronella candles
- Clove
- Rosemary oil
Contact our team of mosquito and pest control experts for more information on how to get rid of mosquitoes and prevent them from invading your property.
Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Yard
In addition to using natural mosquito repellants, common factors attract mosquitoes to yards that can be eliminated or reduced. Mosquitoes search for standing water sources to use as breeding grounds. Sources of standing water such as gutters, swimming pools, and garbage bins should regularly be emptied and cleaned. Regularly maintaining and clearing debris from your yard will make your property much less attractive as well. Mosquitoes use tall overgrown grass and piles of yard debris as resting areas during periods of inactivity.
While routinely practicing mosquito and general pest prevention techniques on your property is an essential part of mosquito control, you will require professional extermination services if an infestation does occur. Luckily for homeowners in Huntsville, EnviroGuard is here to help with any mosquito problem or other pest control issue you may have.
EnviroGuard, a Huntsville pest control specialist, has been keeping communities safe and pest free for more than forty years. Our certified and experienced team of pest technicians will work with you to formulate a personalized pest control plan for your specific situation. Call us today to get rid of mosquitoes or any other pests causing problems on your property. We guarantee a pest-free home with no mosquitoes and provide free estimates on our services.