Mosquito Identification Guide

Mosquitoes are common Meridian pests that do their best to ruin our summers. They are prolific breeders that form large populations. The female mosquitoes are out and about each day searching for people and animals to bite to feed on their blood. Females require blood meals to produce healthy eggs and complete their life cycle.

The mosquito is a type of fly; physical features that distinguish mosquitoes from other flies include:

• Mosquitoes have scales along the veins of their wings.
• Mosquitoes have an elongated, sharp sucking mouthpart called a proboscis.
• Mosquitoes have feathery antennae.

There is no denying that mosquitoes are dangerous. They are responsible for causing over a million deaths each year. While most deaths occur in tropical, third world countries where medical care is limited, mosquitoes are still a threat to people in the U.S. They are capable of spreading many diseases that can make us quite ill.

Diseases that mosquitoes spread include:

• West Nile Virus
• Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE)
• Dengue
• Chikungunya

Mosquitoes are problematic wherever there is standing water to use as a breeding site. The females lay their eggs on top of standing water. Properties near or with densely wooded areas, ponds, marshes, and drainage ditches are likely to experience large mosquito infestations.

It is important to understand that our yards provide mosquitoes with breeding sites no matter where they are located.

Knowing some of the mosquito's most common breeding sites will help you inspect your yard and eliminate any you find. The following things collect rainwater and allow standing water to develop on your property that attracts mosquitoes.

• Buckets and flowerpots
• Tree hollows, tree stumps, and brush piles
• Old tires
• Wading pools
• The tops of trash can lids and tarps
• Low-lying areas
• Clogged gutters

Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dust when out and about, feeding on blood or the male and female's primary food source — plant nectar. During the middle of the day, they try to escape direct sunlight by resting in cool, shady areas like areas of tall grass, dense landscaping, tree canopies, and spaces under decks.

If you are tired of sharing your yard with mosquitoes, partner with us at Sawtooth Pest Control. We are a family-owned pest control company with over 18 years of combined experience and a dedication to helping families solve their home's pest problems. Our effective mosquito control services are performed by our knowledgeable professionals. They will treat your entire yard to make sure you can enjoy your backyard with family and friends without being swarmed by mosquitoes! To learn more about our mosquito control services, reach out today and see how we can work together to ensure we meet your pest control goals.

Prevent mosquitoes from taking over your yard with the assistance of the professionals at Sawtooth Pest Control and the following helpful tips.

• Remove areas of tall grass.
• Cut back overgrown shrubbery, bushes, and trees.
• Store containers like buckets upside down when not in use.
• Remove tree stumps, woodpiles, and brush piles from your yard.
• Fill in low-lying areas that develop in your yard.
• Don't overwater your gardens or flowerbeds.