There are many pests that call New Braunfels home. Many are just incredibly annoying, but some cause more serious problems. One pest that is known for the problems it causes is the mosquito. This small, blood-feeding insect is considered to be the most dangerous creature on the planet because mosquitoes are responsible for over one million deaths each year. Today we will be talking more about the mosquitoes in New Braunfels, assessing your risk, and providing some pest control options to keep these pests off your property.
What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are not the smartest creatures, but they are built with senses to find and feed on cold and warm-blooded creatures. More specifically, mosquitoes use sight to identify silhouettes of people and animals against backlighting. The darker your clothing, the more visible you will be. Next, mosquitoes use their sense of smell to detect carbon dioxide in the air. Scientists also believe that mosquitoes can smell a person's blood type based on chemicals that are excreted through their skin. Finally, mosquitoes use their sense of touch to feel body heat. If you exercise or perform other heart rate and body heat-increasing activities outdoors, you will be more "visible" to these pests.
How Long Do Mosquitoes Live?
Different kinds of mosquitoes have different life spans. Most area mosquito species have an average lifespan of seven days. During this time, they feed, look for areas to lay eggs, and then breed. You might not know this, but not all mosquitoes drink blood. Only females do. The purpose of this is to provide nutrients for their eggs. Eggs are laid inside pools of stagnant water. Stagnant water is found across properties in places like birdbaths, ornate pools, and areas where rainwater has collected. Eggs typically take a few days to hatch. In colder climates, eggs laid in the late fall can survive until early spring. Seeing that we live in Texas, the weather doesn’t get cold enough to facilitate this semi-hibernation. This makes mosquitoes a year-round problem and threat to locals.
Will Mosquitoes Bite Your Pets?
Mosquitoes are not picky eaters; they will consume blood from any cold or warm-blooded creature. This includes your pets. Something to consider with this is the many diseases that mosquitoes are known to carry. Many of the sicknesses mosquitoes spread are harmful to animals. One example of this is heartworm. Both cats and dogs can contract heartworm disease from infected mosquitoes. This is just one of many harmful organisms that can make your furry friends very sick. These pests can also affect you and your family. Some common diseases you might contract from a mosquito bite are malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus. Although widespread infection is not as common in the United States as it is in third-world countries, targeted outbreaks do occur and people do get sick.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes On Your New Braunfels Property
If you are looking for a way to keep mosquitoes off of your New Braunfels property, you have two options. The first is to eliminate every source of stagnant water within one to three miles of your home. This requires constant effort and attention to detail. For a simpler mosquito control option, hire the experts at Gold Star Exterminators. We offer detailed treatments to control dangerous yard pests like mosquitoes and ticks. This service comes in both year-round and single service options and is great for personal properties and outdoor event spaces.
Call today to learn more about pest control in New Braunfels and find your fast solution to mosquito problems with Gold Star Exterminators.