Mosquito Control In Arlington VA

What Kinds Of Mosquitoes Are There In Arlington VA?

Most people in Arlington, VA have had the experience of being pestered by mosquitoes while trying to enjoy a cookout, pool party, or some other outdoor activity. It may be hard to believe, but we have about 60 different kinds of mosquitoes here in Northern Virginia, each with its own particular habitats and behaviors. This poses a challenge to controlling their level of nuisance around the areas we call home. The best method of keeping mosquitoes at bay is through community collaboration and remembering to “Tip, Toss, and Cover” any water-holding containers on your property at least once a week.

Why Mosquitoes Bite You

You may know that only female mosquitoes bite you, but are you aware that females don't feed on your blood specifically for food? Female mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant sap, just like male mosquitoes do. They take a blood meal for the purpose of getting what they need for reproduction. Here are a few reasons why this is important to understand.

• You're not going to deter mosquitoes with a little smoke from a campfire or a bad-smelling torch or candle. The females are motivated to bite you. It is a matter of life and death for their species. They will navigate around stinky smoke to get to you and bite you.
• The primary reason why you get mosquito bites when you're out in your yard is connected to the food source female mosquitoes do actually live on. It is the vegetation in your yard. The more vegetation you have, the more mosquitoes you're likely to have. You can reduce mosquitoes by reducing unnecessary vegetation, such as weeds. Flowering weeds should be your first target as they provide nectar and sap. The other option is to have your landscape vegetation treated by a licensed professional.

Can The Mosquitoes In Arlington Be Dangerous?

We all know that getting a mosquito bite is an unpleasant experience, but there’s more going on underneath the surface than you may think. As vector pests, mosquitoes pick up pathogens and diseases from one host and then spread them to the next.

If you get bitten by an infected mosquito, you become exposed to a long list of vector-borne illnesses, including malaria, encephalitis, Zika virus, West Nile virus, tularemia, and many others. These conditions can be life-threatening depending on the individual’s sensitivities.

To avoid the dangers of mosquitoes, it’s important to take your mosquito control needs seriously. We recommend getting your property treated by a professional pest control company to protect yourself from these diseases effectively. Miche Pest Control provides thorough mosquito treatment and prevention services that destroy active mosquitoes and deter new ones from showing up. Reach out today to hear more about our mosquito solutions.

Protecting Yourself From Dangerous Mosquitoes In Arlington

Being proactive in your prevention efforts is a great way to minimize your exposure to mosquitoes. If you want to avoid mosquitoes around your Arlington home or business, consider the following mosquito control tips: 

• Eliminate sources of standing water.
• Install screens in all doors and windows.
• Keep doors and windows shut.
• Maintain a well-trimmed yard.
• Prevent water from collecting in buckets, tires, pet bowls, etc.
• Repair any damaged or ripped screens.
• Wear clothing treated with DEET or permethrin.
• Wear insect repellent when spending time outdoors. 

When it comes to effectively protecting yourself from dangerous mosquitoes in Arlington, there is only one guaranteed method of mosquito control: professional pest protection from the pest pros. Miche Pest Control offers seasonal and year-round mosquito control services that you and your loved ones can depend on, guaranteed.

Guide To Minimizing Mosquito Exposure In Arlington

Mosquitoes are well known as the deadliest animal on the planet. They can spread life-threatening diseases with ease! You don’t want to take any risks when dealing with them. With that in mind, you’ll want to use these tips to keep mosquitoes off your property:

• Eliminate stagnant water. Mosquitoes need stagnant water to lay their eggs. Get rid of that and they can’t multiply.
• Use protective bug spray when outdoors. Cover any exposed skin (excluding the eyes and mouth) with bug spray.
• Wear light-colored clothing. Darker colors stand out and draw in mosquitoes, but light colors help keep them away. This has the added bonus of keeping you cool!
• Landscape and maintain greenery around your home. Mosquitoes will hide in the shade, waiting for a moment to strike.
• Install screens on your windows and doors. Staying inside is a foolproof way to avoid mosquitoes as long as they can’t get in too.

Mosquitoes are incredibly difficult to deal with on your own. Don’t leave yourself at risk of a dangerous disease! Ask Miche Pest Control for help instead. We’ll track down the source of your mosquito infestation and get rid of it once and for all. We utilize backpack fogging on your entire yard, including any greenery where mosquitoes may hide. We may also treat stagnant water with granules that help prevent mosquitoes from breeding. If you need immediate mosquito treatment for special events, we offer a one-time service option for that too.

If you find yourself swatting mosquitoes away day after day, call Miche Pest Control for help!

Get Rid Of Standing Water To Reduce Mosquito Populations

Stagnant water is often the main cause of a mosquito infestation in your yard. Standing water often becomes a literal breeding ground for these insects. This happens because mosquitoes lay their eggs in water and their larvae form there.

You should check your yard and garden for anything that will collect water. Even the smallest of puddles can keep hundreds of mosquito larvae safe. Rain and watering the garden can cause water to collect in pots, fountains, pools, pits, and other hollow areas. If you have a swimming pool, make sure to use appropriate treatments for the water to keep it sanitary and deter these rather annoying insects.

If you find stagnant water that has been sitting for some time, it is best not to empty it right away. You want to consider treating the water first to eliminate mosquito larvae that may be hatching and growing, especially if the amount of water exceeds a gallon or two. Never pour water with visible larvae out in the grass, even if there is only a cup or two of liquid.