Are There Different Kinds of Mosquitoes?
- Mike Balas
- May 16
- 3 min read
And even if there are different kinds, does it really matter?
Ranging from a nuisance to deadly, mosquitoes are never a welcome sight. The itching, swelling, pain, discomfort and even disease associated with mosquitoes make them one of the most common insect concerns for homeowners.
Are There Different Kinds of Mosquitoes?
There are over 3,500 different types of mosquitoes worldwide. Of those, about 200 are found in the United States. While we have many of those species in Virginia (58 at last count of the Virginia Mosquito Control Association), only a few are commonly encountered. In fact, 90% of the time that someone complains about a mosquito bite in our area, it's caused by just one species: Asian tiger mosquitoes.
Does the species matter? Not really. You won't be trying to identify it - you'll be trying to kill it. No matter what kind of mosquito you're encountering, you run the risk of bites which can range from annoying to deadly.
Another fun fact: only female mosquitoes bite. Again, is this information important to you while you're trying to swat one away? Probably not. You won't be identifying it as male or female in the middle of avoiding a potential bite.
How Can I Reduce Mosquito Populations in My Yard?
Mosquitoes will lay their eggs either on water or in an area that will be covered in water. The eggs hatch and grow into adult mosquitoes in less than two weeks. This means that one of the most important things you can do to keep mosquitoes from breeding in your yard is to remove standing water. The Virginia Department of Health says you need to "tip, toss, or cover" areas that accumulate water at least once a week.
This includes:
Bird baths
Fountains
Clogged gutters
Swimming or wading pools
Open garbage or recycling containers, or those with lids that don't close properly
Pet dishes
Flower pots, especially those with a water catch basin on the bottom
Low areas of the yard that puddle
Anything that catches moisture and holds it, such as hollow logs, kids' toys, garbage can lids, bottoms of slides, etc
In addition, don't leave your doors or windows open without screens, and make sure all those screens are in good repair. Mosquitoes in the yard are bad enough - you don't want them in your house too.
Why is Professional Pest Control Important for Mosquitoes?
Even the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends employing a pest control professional for treatment of mosquitoes. Why is this? Because of its extreme effectiveness and the fact that the more people with better control, the better off the entire community will be.
When sprayed at the maximum rates, these services will eliminate an average of 90% of the mosquito population in your yard (according to this study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information). The spray that licensed companies use is extremely effective against mosquitoes but safe for people, pets, plants, and pollinators. These products are heavily regulated by the EPA to ensure both quality and safety.
An important thing to note: not all companies will spray at the safely maximum rates for the best control, usually for their own cost savings, so try to find one that does in order to get the most protection for your payment.
Let us help you enjoy your summer without having to deal with mosquitoes! Call us anytime.
For even more information about pests in Virginia, check out our pest library
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