Just How Dangerous Are The Mosquitoes In Washington D.C.?

07/15/2021


Mosquitoes   
mosquito sucking blood

Warm weather has returned, and so have mosquitoes. You do your best to avoid these annoying insects and the itchy bites they inflict, but constantly spraying smelly repellent can be tedious. However, when it comes to mosquitoes, you can never be too careful. Mosquitoes in Washington D.C. are dangerous and you ought to take every necessary precaution to protect yourself. 

What You Should Know About Mosquitoes 

Mosquitoes are parasitic insects that feed on blood for survival. Some species may prefer to feed on livestock, others may target birds and reptiles, while others may be more fond of human blood. The average mosquito is about ½ inch long, though some mosquitoes may be less than 1/10 of an inch in length. 

There are at least 176 recognized mosquito species living in the United States and over 3,000 species worldwide, each with its own particular appearance and behaviors (though only females feed on blood). The diversity among these pests can be remarkable to observe, but mosquitoes are much more sinister than your average flying bug. 

How Dangerous Are Mosquitoes?

Like ants or flies, most encounters with mosquitoes leave folks feeling more annoyed than endangered. Those itchy bites can last for days and can lead to infection if over-scratched. While most mosquito bites leave nothing more than a swollen welt, these insects still have the potential to transmit some truly awful diseases.

Every year, it’s estimated that over one million people die from mosquito-borne illnesses worldwide. That includes malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, EEE, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and more. While these diseases are treatable, they can be especially dangerous for folks with existing health conditions, children, and the elderly. Pound for pound, mosquitoes are considered to be the deadliest animal on the planet. 

What Attracts Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes need an area of still, standing water in order to successfully reproduce. Ponds, puddles, and swamps are all common places to find mosquitoes, but these adaptable pests only need about a bottle cap’s worth of water in order to successfully raise their larvae. So, even small amounts of standing water can be attractive to mosquitoes. 

When they aren’t busy breeding, mosquitoes rely on shady vegetation to hide. Lots of tall grass and leafy branches create an ideal hangout for tired mosquitoes in between meals.  The more overgrown your yard, the more appealing it is to mosquitoes. 

These peculiar pests also rely on a variety of biological cues from their victims. They prefer to feed on people wearing dark clothing, people who are overheated or physically warm, and strangely, people who have recently consumed alcohol. They also appear in greater numbers at the hours of dusk and dawn. 

You can reduce the presence of mosquitoes on your Washington D.C. property by addressing these issues:

  • Eliminate standing water – Dump out any standing water that may have accumulated in buckets, pots, or other containers around your property. Fill in any large puddles with sand or gravel. Be sure to keep swimming pools covered when not in use.

  • Trim the hedges – Keep your yard nice and tidy and trim back any vegetation that grows too long. Mow the grass regularly and get rid of any yard waste.

  • Avoid twilight activities – Try not to go outside around sunrise or sunset. If hosting an outdoor event, try to move guests inside by dusk. 

For more information about mosquito control in Washington D.C., talk to the experts at American Pest. We offer low-cost mosquito control services as one-time treatments or ongoing seasonal service for your protection. So, if dangerous mosquitoes are giving you trouble, contact us today and get rid of them once and for all.






 
 
 

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