Bowie, MD – Your Mosquito Questions Answered
Did you know that mosquitoes have 47 teeth? This tiny creature has more teeth than the average human being, who has only 32. But someone will ask if they really have teeth. Technically speaking, they are not teeth; they are sharp edges with structures similar to those of a tooth. These hook-like structures are what they use to pierce through the skin to get to your blood.
Mosquitoes are in no way celebrated, but you can’t help but find them fascinating when you study them. In this post, you will find answers to some of the common questions people ask about mosquitoes.
What happens when a mosquito bites you?
Many ask this question seeking to understand what happens to their bodies when bitten. A common experience when a mosquito bites is the uncomfortable itchiness that follows. Does this itchiness have a purpose, or does it tell you something about your body? First, it helps to understand how mosquitoes bite, as described below:
Female mosquitos have long, tubular mouthparts that allow them to pierce your skin and feed on your blood. When they bite you, they inject saliva into your body while siphoning your blood. Their saliva contains proteins that most people are allergic to. Your immune system springs into action, causing the telltale red bump and accompanying itch of a mosquito bite to form.
Mosquitos choose their human victims based on the scent of carbon dioxide and other chemicals in your perspiration. Read more from Healthline…
The saliva of the mosquito contains an anticoagulant that works to prevent blood clotting. It is this substance that your body reacts to. In other words, the itchiness is your body’s allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva.
Why are mosquitoes attracted to me?
Female mosquitoes need blood to produce eggs, and human beings are easy targets. Scientists have actually found out that mosquitoes use carbon dioxide to track down human beings (remember you exhale carbon dioxide?). But there are many other factors associated with the troubles you’ve been facing:
Mosquitoes apparently have a nose for other scents besides carbon dioxide; they can sniff down victims through lactic acid, ammonia, and other compounds emitted in sweat. They also like people who run warmer; a hot sweaty human must seem quite delicious to them – couch potatoes, rejoice. Strenuous exercise increases the buildup of lactic acid and heat in your body, while genetic factors impact the amount of other substances naturally released by each person, making it easier for mosquitoes to find some people than others. Read more from Tree Hugger…
Active people seem to be the best prey for mosquitoes – but that’s no excuse to stop your daily exercises. There are better ways to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard and home.
How do I get rid of these mosquitoes?
When dealing with a mosquito infestation, this question will certainly come up. What are some of things that make your home attractive to mosquitoes? They include: warm weather providing a perfect thriving atmosphere; stagnant water which can be in a pond or even in containers; tall grass, among many others. What about getting rid of them, what is the best remedy?
Mosquitos lay their eggs in stagnant water, so empty any extra water around your property such as full saucers under flowerpots, stagnant ponds, or puddles.
Clear any blocked drains and downpipes and keep pet bowls and birdbath water fresh.
If you have a pond, mosquitos may lay their larvae there, but ponds attract dragonflies, which love to eat mosquitos. To keep pond water from being stagnant, you can install a pump or fountain to keep the water moving. You can also stock your pond with goldfish or koi which will eat the larvae.
As for the garden, lush backyards may look beautiful, but they retain moisture, which also attracts mosquitos, so look for ways to prune the shrubbery to allow more air to flow through. Read more from Domain…
Some other strategies you could use are: using repellant spray when spending time in the yard, planting scented plants that naturally repel the mosquitoes, using specific mosquito traps, and limiting their access to you by using items like mosquito nets. All these serve as protective measures.
While these preventive activities may be helpful, they are usually not enough. And some of them can be quite tedious and inconveniencing. If you agree with these sentiments, then you might want to consider reaching out for help from a local pest control company near you. Backyard Bug Patrol has professionals with the necessary tools and experience to do all this for you in Bowie, MD. Call us today for efficient mosquito control services.