Mosquito Identification & Prevention

Mosquitoes are annoying, biting pests that most people love to hate. They swarm outdoor spaces in large numbers and drive people back inside. To keep these biting pests from taking over your property, seek professional mosquito control in Goldsboro, NC. Professionals can quickly reduce their populations and allow you to enjoy your outdoor space without being swarmed by mosquitoes. 

The mosquito is a small fly with a narrow gray or black body, long, thin legs, and a long, piercing mouthpart (proboscis). Some species will have white or other identifying markings.

Female mosquitoes are responsible for delivering the itching bites that drive us crazy. While the primary food source for mosquitoes is plant nectar, female mosquitoes need to supplement their diet with blood meals from warm-blooded animals. They need the protein from the blood to produce healthy, viable eggs that create new biting mosquitoes.

There is no getting around it; mosquitoes are dangerous pests. Their ability to spread life-threatening diseases worldwide has made them one of the world’s deadliest animals. While the spread of disease by mosquitoes is not as problematic in the United States as in other parts of the world, they still pose a health risk. Diseases mosquitoes carry in North Carolina include West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and La Crosse encephalitis. 

In addition to the mosquito-borne illnesses these pests spread, their bites pose problems. Mosquito bites are itchy, and scratching at them can lead to secondary infections requiring medical attention. Furthermore, mosquito bites are unsightly and unpleasant, and no one should have to spend their summer covered in raised red mosquito bites.

Mosquitoes thrive in the warm, humid climate that North Carolina provides them. Mosquitoes are most active in our region, feeding and breeding, from April through October. Our warm temperatures and plentiful water sources support their prolific breeding habits. 

Mosquitoes in Goldsboro can become a problem in any outdoor space that offers them their basic needs of food, water, and resting sites. Places where our region’s different types of mosquitoes live offer them plentiful shade and moisture:

• Marshlands and swamplands

• Grassy fields and meadows

• Ponds and lakes

• Wooded areas

• Backyards

It is also important to note that mosquito problems tend to explode after periods of rain; the standing water left behind provides female mosquitoes with many places to lay their eggs. In prime conditions, a mosquito egg only takes around seven days to develop into a new reproductively mature mosquito.

When mosquitoes are in our yards, you will spot them around standing water or in damp shade areas. During the mid-day heat, many mosquitoes like to rest to prevent dehydration. 

Below is a list of common mosquito resting spots:

• Hollow logs

• Grass and leaf piles

• Flowerbeds

• Shrubs and bushes

• Spaces under decks and damp crawl spaces

In most cases, mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. That is the time of day you are most likely to see large numbers of these pests swarming around your yard. It is also when these relentless pests are most likely to bite you.

When it comes to mosquito control, partnering with a professional is the best way to maintain a yard that's not overrun by these biting pests. At Arrest A Pest Exterminators, we have created an extremely effective mosquito management program to control mosquito numbers in your Goldsboro yard. This program includes a comprehensive inspection of your yard and treatment that works to target all the mosquitoes' life stages: adult, egg, and larva. 

To control mosquitoes throughout their active season, we recommend establishing a 28-day treatment schedule. Please reach out today for detailed information about how our home pest control and commercial pest control program will keep mosquitoes away from you and your family.

In conjunction with regular mosquito control treatments, eliminating standing water on your property will help remove their breeding grounds and reduce mosquito populations. Some ways to do that include:

• Fill in low-lying areas that collect rainwater.

• Do not overwater gardens or flowerbeds.

• Make sure irrigation systems are sound and not leaking.

• Store containers like buckets and flower pots upside down or indoors when you aren’t using them. 

• Regularly empty wading pools and pet water dishes and refill with fresh water.

• If you own a pool, ensure it is correctly cared for and chemically treated. 

For more helpful information about Goldsboro mosquito control services, contact Arrest A Pest Exterminators today.