Mosquito Control Around Your Home

Mosquito prevention at home starts with removing areas of standing water. A small fan at outdoor gatherings may also reduce mosquitoes, since they’re not strong flyers. Plants like marigolds, catnip, and lavender can help naturally repel mosquitoes (as long as the groundhogs and deer don’t eat them first). You can also have professional treatments done, including mosquito traps.

Under normal conditions, the average adult mosquito generally lives for approximately 2 to 3 weeks. However, the lifespan of mosquitoes can actually range from weeks to months, depending on the species, environment, and season.

A small fan at outdoor gatherings can keep mosquitoes away, since they’re not strong flyers. Plants like marigolds, catnip, and lavender can help naturally repel mosquitoes (as long as the groundhogs and deer don’t eat them first). You can also have professional treatments done, including mosquito traps.

If you have a backyard, odds are good you have mosquitoes! The main thing that attracts mosquitoes? You! You’re their meal, after all. Make sure to dump standing water and keep your landscaping on point. Although mosquitoes are generally attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide, studies have shown that other factors such as blood type and the presence of naturally occurring bacteria on skin can make some people more appetizing to these blood-sucking pests than others. Additionally, dark colored clothing and perfume have been known to attract Culex mosquitoes.

You. However, only females suck human blood, while males feed on plant nectars. After feeding on a host, it can take several days for the female to digest the blood meal and then she will seek out a body of still water in which to lay eggs.

Mosquitoes are most active in the late spring, summer, and early fall months, and are most active during the evening hours and when it is humid outside. However, different species of mosquitoes have different activity levels, habits, and habitats. Some species prefer to be more active during the day while others prefer dusk or dawn.

Although mosquitoes are generally attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide, studies have shown that other factors such as blood type and the presence of naturally occurring bacteria on skin can make some people more appetizing to these blood-sucking pests than others. Additionally, dark colored clothing and perfume have been known to attract Culex mosquitoes.

Common house mosquitoes are most commonly found in warm and wet environments. These hospitable conditions are ideal for these pests to find hosts to feed on, as well as lay their eggs. There are over 3,500 species of mosquito on Earth and they are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Most mosquito species in the U.S. increase activity from dusk to dawn, which means you’re more likely to get bit if you step outside at that time. Asian tiger mosquitoes are unique in that they typically feed during the daylight hours. People who spend time or live near wooded areas, wetlands, or shaded places with standing water (a breeding ground for mosquitoes) are at increased risk of bug bites.