There's no doubt that mosquitoes are a nuisance for homeowners and can threaten your health. Mosquito bites can cause an array of problems, including irritation, rashes, itching, swelling, and even more severe diseases. In this article, we'll talk about the dangers of mosquitoes and what you can do to prevent them from becoming a problem.
Dangers of a Mosquito Infestation
As mentioned earlier, mosquitoes pose a danger to humans because they carry diseases. These diseases can be transmitted through mosquito bites. Some of the most common diseases that can be transmitted through mosquitoes include the following:
1. Malaria
Infected mosquitoes spread this disease. It's caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. The symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, weakness, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain.
2. Dengue Fever
Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes spread this virus. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, joint pains, nausea, rash, and muscle pains.
3. West Nile Virus
This disease is spread through Culex mosquitoes. According to the CDC, the West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. Symptoms of this disease include fever, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, and diarrhea.
4. Zika Virus
Daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes spread this virus. While many people infected with the Zika virus don't show signs or symptoms, it is linked to congenital disabilities and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
How to Prevent Mosquito Infestations
Mosquito infestations aren't something that should be taken lightly. If you want to avoid having a mosquito problem, there are some things that you can do. Here are a few tips on how to keep mosquitoes out of your property.
1. Eliminate standing water around your house.
Standing water provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. These insects like to lay their eggs in standing water, such as puddles, bird baths, flower pots, buckets, and rain gutters. Check your home for any potential sources of standing water and remove them immediately. This includes items such as old tires, buckets, cans, and anything else that could hold water.
2. Keep your yard clean.
Another tip to prevent mosquito infestations is to make sure that your lawn is free of debris. Grass clippings, leaves, and other organic matter provide food for mosquitoes and make your yard a prime breeding ground. Remember to keep your grass mowed regularly, so it doesn't become too long and tangled.
3. Repair leaking pipes and faucets.
Leaky pipes and faucets can attract mosquitoes. Since these areas accumulate moisture, they're great places for mosquitoes to breed. Make sure to check and fix leaks before they get worse. This will also help reduce the amount of standing water around your home.
4. Seal your garbage cans.
Lastly, you can prevent mosquito infestations by adequately sealing your garbage cans. When you seal up the lids of your garbage cans, you prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs inside. It also prevents rainwater from getting into the trash can, which would otherwise create more breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Mosquito Control at ALF Lawn & Pest Solutions
ALF Lawn & Pest Solutions offers mosquito control for our clients to guarantee that your yard is free from mosquitoes. We use pet and kid-friendly methods to eliminate mosquitoes and ensure that your yard remains safe and pest-free. Call us today at 844-369-8873 to know more about our services.