If you were to venture a guess, what do you think mosquitoes eat? Was your answer blood? We can understand why you might think this. But do you know that mosquitoes actually eat nectar and plant sap? In fact, a female mosquito will stick her pointed mouthparts right into the stem of a plant and suck the sap out like she would suck blood out of your skin. So, why on earth do mosquitoes bite humans and draw blood? Male mosquitoes don't. They only eat nectar and sap. Female mosquitoes draw a blood meal for the purpose of creating eggs. Blood provides the essential proteins and nutrients for egg production. Without blood, mosquitoes wouldn't be able to reproduce. Want to hear a few more interesting facts about mosquitoes? Take a look below.
Why Do Mosquitoes Exist?
It is easy to think of mosquitoes as nothing more than irritating and potentially dangerous pests, but do you know that they actually have a very important role to play in the world's ecosystem. When female mosquitoes lay eggs in water, the eggs and the larvae that emerge are food for fish and other aquatic animals. When the mosquitoes develop into adults and take to the air, they become a food source for frogs, birds, bats, and many other animals. If this isn't enough to want mosquitoes around, they also help with pollination because, as we pointed out, they fly from flower to flower, eating nectar.
What Diseases Do Mosquitoes Carry?
It depends on the mosquito. Not all mosquito species carry all mosquito-borne diseases. Aedes aegypti are primary carriers of yellow fever and dengue fever. Aedes albopictus are the primary carriers of dengue fever. Other Aedes species are more likely to spread La Crosse encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis, or West Nile virus. Culex species are primary carriers of the West Nile virus and transmit lymphatic filariasis, Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, and more. The primary carriers of malaria are Anopheles mosquitoes. These are far from the only diseases that impact human health but in the United States, they are the diseases of most concern. We see the Zika virus, Chikungunya, and other disease outbreaks as well.
How Likely Am I To Get Sick From A Mosquito-borne Disease?
Not every mosquito that bites you is carrying a transmittable disease. As many as 80 percent of people who contract diseases are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Only a small percentage of people have severe or life-threatening symptoms.
What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are first drawn to carbon dioxide emissions. When they draw close, they'll lock onto other attractants, such as:
- Warm skin
- Skin with perspiration on it
- Individuals who have been consuming alcohol
- Individuals who have dark clothing on
- Individuals who have a higher level of uric acid, lactic acid, or ammonia, which is released by bacteria that live in skin tissue.
How Do I Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Synthetic mosquito repellent is the most effective way to deter mosquitoes. If you don't prefer to put synthetic mosquito repellent on your skin, there are natural options to choose from, such as repellent that contains oil of lemon eucalyptus. In recent years, many Atlanta residents have turned to essential oils. Many oils offer some protection from mosquitoes in Atlanta. Lavender, citronella, and tea tree oils are good choices. But keep in mind that these must be applied far more frequently than synthetic products in order to keep the mosquitoes off.
What Is The Best Way To Prevent Mosquito Bites?
We think the best way is to not have mosquitoes around. Before you say, "Well, duh," let us explain. There is a way to get control of mosquitoes on your property and not have them around. At Tuxedo Mosquito Control, we specialize in the science of mosquito control and we offer the installation of mosquito-misting systems. These systems deliver a fast-acting, botanical insecticide to key areas around your home. When you're planning on going out to enjoy some time near your pool, you can actually tell your system to do a quick treatment to knock down and repel any mosquitoes in the area. If you're planning an outdoor gathering, you have the power of effective mosquito control at the push of a button or the tap of a smartphone screen.
Get Control Of Atlanta Mosquitoes
In our area, mosquitoes can ruin outdoor recreation. Take your backyard back. Reach out to Tuxedo Mosquito Control to discuss what options are available. We'll guide you toward the right solution for your specific property and your budgetary needs. You don't have to live with mosquitoes in your Atlanta yard, and you don't have to worry about putting repellent on yourself every time you go outside. Connect with us today to get effective mosquito protection and say goodbye to Atlanta mosquitoes for good.
What Tuxedo Mosquito Customers Are Saying
Tuxedo Mosquito is the only company we have used to control mosquitos in our yard. The service person sprays our shrubs in the woods behind our home and every shrub and plant in our yard. To the best of our knowledge this is our 9th year using Tuxedo Mosquito. Their service is excellent!!
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