Mosquitoes are annoying pests that feed on blood in order to reproduce. They leave behind red, itchy welts – a result of an allergic reaction to their saliva. In this guide, you’ll learn the importance of mosquitoes to the environment, why they’re more deadly than any other creature on Earth, five natural ways to repel them, and how to get rid of them and keep them away. Sneak peek on that last one: You need professional pest control in Tampa from EcoTech Pest Control Services. Call us today for your free estimate.
The Importance Of Mosquitoes To Our Environment
You may find yourself wondering, “Do mosquitoes have a purpose?” Of the 3,500 species of mosquitoes in the world, only 170 varieties live in North America, and very few of these feed on humans. Even then, it’s only the females who bite, and they only do so to lay eggs. Most of the mosquitoes’ diet consists of plant nectar.
As the mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, they’re pollinating the flowers, just like bees and butterflies do. It’s simply harder to see since mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. Without mosquitoes pollinating flowers, there would be fewer plants growing in the Tampa area.
Mosquitoes are also an important part of the food web. As larvae, they eat microorganisms like algae and microbes that play a part in the decay of plant matter. They also serve as a food source for fish, birds, and other predators. Adults are eaten by bats, birds, frogs, and other insects. When the adult mosquitoes are eaten and excreted or die of old age, they decay, letting the microbes they consumed as larvae turn into nutrients for plants.
Even knowing the ecological importance they hold, you probably still want to know how to avoid mosquitoes in Tampa. Keep reading to learn more.
Mosquitoes Are More Deadly Than Any Other Animal
Mosquitoes are the cause of more deaths than any other creature on the planet – they even kill more people than people do. They’re the source of many deadly diseases worldwide, including:
- Zika virus
- Malaria
- West Nile virus
- Dengue fever
- Chikungunya
- Yellow fever
- Encephalitis
- Tularemia
By carrying these diseases to their human hosts, mosquitoes are the cause of more than one million deaths across the planet every year.
Mosquitoes are followed on the list of deadliest animals by humans at 580,000 deaths, snakes at 60,000, sandflies at 24,200, and dogs at 17,400.
Some of the diseases listed above are not endemic to the United States. However, they can spread when a single mosquito feeds on an infected person who’s been bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito overseas if that single mosquito feeds on someone else here at home. Since a single mosquito can bite as many as 20 times before she’s full enough to lay eggs, and she can lay eggs three times before she dies, diseases can spread.
Because of these risks, as well as the annoyance in general, it’s crucial that you know how to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard. EcoTech Pest Control Services can help you do that without unnecessary harm to the environment or ecosystem with our effective mosquito control services in Tampa.
Five Natural Ways To Repel Mosquitoes
There are several natural ways to repel mosquitoes, including:
- Empty collected rainwater around your property.
- Maintain drainage systems to avoid built-up moisture.
- Change the water in bird baths and other water features every three to four days.
- Keep lawns mowed short and landscaping maintained to limit overgrown areas where mosquitoes could shelter.
- Use fans in outdoor seating areas.
To learn more about how to keep mosquitoes away from your Tampa home, contact EcoTech Pest Control Services.
How Do I Get Rid Of Mosquitoes And Keep Them Away?
Wondering how to eliminate mosquitoes? The solution is simple: Call EcoTech Pest Control Services for a free estimate. Our highly-trained Green Pro Specialists will come to your home, evaluate your mosquito problem, and recommend a course of action. We use environmentally-friendly products when we treat mosquitoes. We want to be your final stop for complete pest protection. Call us today for your free estimate and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Tampa.