A Complete Guide To Preventative Mosquito Control In The Bay Area

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The Bay Area is a beautiful place to live, but it's also a breeding ground for mosquitoes. These pests can carry dangerous diseases, such as the West Nile virus and Zika virus. San Mateo County is currently home to California's highest number of West Nile virus cases. 

Mosquito control is an integral part of public health in The Bay Area. You can do several things to prevent mosquitoes from taking over your home and property. This Bay Area pest control guide provided here by Bay Pest Soultion Inc. is well-rounded.

The Life Cycle Of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes in California go through four distinct stages in their life cycle: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. Here are the stages:

  • Eggs: Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, such as puddles, pooled rainwater, and standing water in buckets and flower pots. Most species of mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs at a time.
  • Larvae: Also known as "wigglers," these mosquito babies spend most of their time in the water, breathing through tubes sticking out of their back end. As they grow, they shed their skin three times.
  • Pupa: After about ten days of larvae-hood, mosquitoes transform into pupae. Pupae don't eat but can swim and move about if disturbed.
  • Adults: After four to seven days as pupae, mosquitoes emerge as adults, ready to mate and begin the cycle anew. Male and female mosquitoes usually live for about two weeks. 

It's essential to protect you and your family against mosquitos. Call Bay Pest Soultion Inc. for a pest control plan that fits your needs.

The Many Ways Mosquitoes Can Ruin Your Outdoor Space

Besides being annoying, mosquitoes can pose some serious health threats. These insects can transmit diseases like Zika, West Nile, malaria, and more. In some cases, these diseases can be deadly. 

Mosquitoes in Northern California are also capable of ruining your outdoor fun. The presence of mosquitoes can quickly ruin the mood of an outdoor picnic, barbecue, or any other outdoor activity. These pests are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and the lactic acid in our sweat. 

Keep mosquitoes away from your outdoor party by wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and mosquito repellent. Staying indoors during peak mosquito hours, such as dawn and dusk, is another method of preventing mosquitoes from ruining your party. Cover standing bodies of water before your party to prevent mosquitoes from hatching. If you're having a pool party, keep puddles from forming around your pool deck, and clean fallen leaves from rain gutters.

Protect your home and yard- call Bay Pest Solution Inc. today.

What's Attracting Mosquitoes To My Yard?

There are a few things that can attract mosquitoes to your yard, including: 

  • Standing Water: As mentioned before, mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. So, if you have any puddles, buckets, or flower pots full of water on your property, this could attract mosquitoes.
  • Trash: Mosquitoes are attracted to the scent of trash, so keep your garbage cans covered.
  • Lights: Mosquitoes are attracted to light, so try to avoid having any lights on in your yard at night.
  • Plants: Water lettuce, certain lilies, bamboo, taro, papyrus, and hyacinths are all plants that attract mosquitoes.

Removing these attractants will help with mosquito control, but the best way to accomplish this goal is the Bay Pest Solutions Inc. 

How Can I Get These Mosquitoes To Stay Away From My Property

There are a few things you can do to keep mosquitoes away from your property: 

  • Eliminate standing water: As previously mentioned, standing water is where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Get rid of any puddles, buckets, or flower pots full of water on your property.
  • Keep your yard clean: Mosquitoes enjoy the scent of trash, so keep your garbage cans covered.
  • Turn off lights: Mosquitoes are attracted to light, so try to avoid having any lights on in your yard at night.
  • Plant mosquito-repelling plants: Certain plants, such as citronella and lilies, can naturally keep mosquitoes away.
  • Use mosquito repellent: When you spend time outdoors, use mosquito repellent.

These options may do some good at keeping these pesky pests at bay for a while, but the best thing to get rid of mosquitoes is to speak with Bay Pest Solution Inc.

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