Mosquitoes sometimes seem like an unavoidable part of summer. But did you know that you can keep mosquitoes away from your Memphis yard? KEMCO Pest & Lawn's Memphis pest control includes mosquito treatments that will keep your yard clear and you happy all summer long. Call today to learn about our options for mosquito control services in Memphis.
The Role Mosquitoes Play In The Ecosystem
Even the most annoying pests have some environmental benefits, including mosquitoes. Mosquitoes' primary food source is nectar, meaning they're pollinators. Pollinators are incredibly important for the ecosystem. Plus, many other animals eat mosquitoes, such as birds, bats, and amphibians. That's right; even mosquitoes can be useful to have around. That doesn't exactly make them less annoying, however.
Most mosquitoes live off of nectar, but female mosquitoes need a little extra protein to lay eggs. That's why they bite people. Drinking blood gives female mosquitoes the nutrients they need to reproduce. They lay their eggs in stagnant water, where the larvae hatch and live until they grow into adulthood.
The Dangerous Diseases Mosquitoes Are Capable Of Spreading
There are many issues that mosquitoes can cause. Because they bite, there's a chance of disease. The diseases spread by mosquitoes in the United States include the West Nile virus, dengue fever, and encephalitis. These are rare in the United States, but there is still a chance of mosquitoes spreading disease.
Mosquito bites usually appear as itchy red welts. But be careful—too much scratching can lead to infection. Even though the chance of catching a mosquito-borne illness is relatively low, it's still best to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible.
The Hassles With Do-It-Yourself Mosquito Control
It can be difficult to target mosquito problems in your yard completely. Mosquitoes have a quick life cycle; it only takes about ten days on average for a mosquito to grow from egg to adult. This means that your yard can become overwhelmed by mosquitoes quickly. It's easier to prepare your yard for mosquito prevention.
Taking these steps can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your Memphis home:
- Remove anything that can collect standing water
- Clear out excess vegetation
- Install plants that repel mosquitoes
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside
- Apply a personal mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Anything in your yard that can collect water—whether it's a wading pool or a bottle cap—can be a place for mosquito eggs. It's important that you remove any of these items from your yard so mosquitoes don't have a place to lay their eggs.
One thing that attracts mosquitoes to a yard is an abundance of shady plants. Clearing these out or trimming back overgrowth can help keep mosquitoes away. There are also plants that repel mosquitoes through their scents. Citronella, lemongrass, and basil are a few of these. They can be useful additions to your yard because of their effect on mosquitoes.
Whenever you're outside, you can avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and long pants, as well as mosquito repellent. It's essential to take steps to prevent mosquito bites so you reduce your risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness.
If you remove mosquito-attracting factors from your yard and they're still showing up, consider calling a professional pest control company for help treating the infestation.
The Most Successful Mosquito Control For Your Yard
KEMCO Pest & Lawn is the best way to keep mosquitoes away from your yard. Our mosquito control options are designed to treat Memphis yards and keep families safe. We use a specific mosquito treatment that targets the areas of your yard where mosquitoes linger, which focuses the treatment on the actual pest infestation. It also lowers the amount of product we have to use around your property. When it comes to mosquitoes in Memphis, KEMCO Pest & Lawn can help! Reach out today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Memphis.