| Missouri is home to many species of mosquitoes | | | | First, the best way to deny entry to your home |
| including the Eastern Treehole, the Floodwater and | | | | is to properly outfit your doors and windows with |
| the Asian Tiger, otherwise known as the Forest | | | | screens. These should be free of holes and tears |
| Day Mosquito. Not all species are native to | | | | in order to be a successful deterrent. Moving on |
| Missouri nor can they be found throughout the | | | | to the outside of your home you can discourage |
| state, however many have acclimated to the | | | | mosquito breeding by removing any standing |
| weather and are able to withstand hot summers | | | | water that exists on your property as well as |
| and cold winters. There's not a whole lot that can | | | | identifying and correcting areas where rainwater |
| be done to completely eliminate mosquito | | | | can collect. |
| populations but there are ways to reduce their | | | | Clogged gutters, discarded tires or childrens' toys |
| numbers so that summer is an enjoyable season. | | | | lying about are all great places for breeding and |
| Mosquitoes are actually considered aquatic flies | | | | should be attended to. There are some items |
| and adult mosquitoes range in length from | | | | that are designed to hold water like kiddie pools |
| one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch and vary in | | | | and bird baths so for those items you can disallow |
| color depending on the species. Color combinations | | | | breeding by changing the water frequently. A |
| include brown, gray, black, white and silver. A | | | | good rule to remember in the fight against |
| common misconception is that all mosquitoes bite | | | | mosquitoes is that if you allow standing water to |
| when in fact only the female of the species takes | | | | sit for more than one week you will attract them. |
| blood meals from people and animals. A female will | | | | Another tip for combating this intrusive pest is to |
| also feed on plant juices and nectar as male | | | | keep a well tended lawn. Regularly trimmed grass |
| mosquitoes do. | | | | makes hiding among the blades of grass a difficult |
| Their bites, which may cause red bumps and | | | | task. |
| itching, are what make this pest an irritant. | | | | Summer is best when you can enjoy spending |
| However, these biting insects are also carriers of | | | | time outside with your family and friends. An |
| serious and sometimes life threatening illnesses | | | | evening barbecue or get together are great ways |
| and diseases including mosquito-borne West Nile | | | | to take advantage of the seasonal temperatures |
| Virus and encephalitis. When mosquitoes are | | | | and if you are planning a similar event you may |
| around your pets may also be exposed to | | | | consider finding a pest control company in Missouri |
| nuisance bites and the threat of heartworm. | | | | that offers mosquito control. Treating breeding |
| Most species of mosquitoes are active at dusk | | | | sites with products that are specially designed to |
| and throughout the evening hours. They may also | | | | control mosquito larvae for extended periods of |
| show signs of movement during the day but | | | | time as well as applying a residual treatment |
| generally only come out if they are disturbed. | | | | around your property to control mature biting |
| Shaded areas are also more likely to be a haven | | | | mosquitoes are ways in which a pest professional |
| for mosquitoes on a bright, hot afternoon. | | | | will help you reduce the mosquito population on |
| In order to breed mosquitoes must have water. | | | | your property. They can also show you areas on |
| Tree holes, ornamental bond, bird baths, rain | | | | your property that are susceptible to an |
| gutters, kiddie pools, and even items like buckets | | | | infestation, point out conditions that are likely to |
| and old tires that may by lying around your | | | | promote activity as well as explain how to fix |
| property are ideal breeding sites. Anywhere that | | | | them. |
| rainwater collects will suffice as they lay their | | | | Grilling up some burgers for your family and |
| eggs in standing water. Eliminating any standing | | | | friends, relaxing on the porch or watching your |
| water on your property will help discourage their | | | | children play a round of tag are great ways to |
| numbers and inhibit mosquito breeding. | | | | spend a summer evening and are best enjoyed in |
| While many products are touted as effective | | | | a mosquito free environment. Combat the |
| mosquito control many do not work and some will | | | | mosquito problem on your property this summer |
| actually make the problem worse as they act | | | | with these tips and know that you are protecting |
| opposite of what they are supposed to do. The | | | | your family and pets from minor bug bites to |
| best way to deter activity and effectively reduce | | | | more severe illness plus you can enjoy spending |
| mosquito bites is to make your home and | | | | time in your backyard without fear of being |
| property less appealing to these pesky insects. | | | | carried off by these buzzing creatures. |