The buzz of mosquitoes is a familiar evening sound for most Americans. It is often followed by a red, itchy spot somewhere on our bodies. Before the sting fades, the following days can bring more like it.
If bug bites were only annoying, they would still be a concern. However, in California, mosquitoes can spread serious diseases. If you think you should take action to protect your family, you are right.
Most people associate pest control with rodents, termites, or crawling insects like ants, cockroaches, or beetles. Yet, did you know you can reduce the mosquito population around your home or business, preventing exposure to potentially deadly diseases? Call Insight Pest Management before 1 p.m. to request same-day service or schedule a free quote at 805-970-4402.
Avoiding Mosquito-Borne Diseases
According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), even “nuisance mosquitoes” that don’t carry diseases can negatively impact businesses and reduce our quality of life.
However, “the most important reason to control mosquitoes is to reduce the likelihood of diseases being transmitted to people through mosquito bites.” The following section will examine these health risks.
Chikungunya
Unlike many other species, the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes bite during the day. They can transmit the Chikungunya virus. The symptoms include fever and severe joint pain.
Though these insects are not native to California, they have become established in some counties. So far, the local variety doesn’t seem to carry the pathogen. The documented cases in the state come from people who contracted the virus while traveling outside the United States.
Dengue
There are 4 varieties of mosquito-borne dengue viruses. Only about 1 in every 4 people infected with the dengue virus develops symptoms. Yet, after having dengue fever, a person is more likely to get severe dengue if he or she is infected again.
The symptoms of severe dengue are:
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Vomiting several times over a 24-hour period
- Bloody vomit or stool
- Swelling
- Fluid build-up in the stomach and around the lungs
Untreated cases of severe dengue can result in death. If you see the warning signs, seek emergency medical attention. Though domestic cases of dengue originate abroad, a few cases have resulted from local transmission in California or other US states.
Malaria
The Plasmodium parasite spreads malaria, a disease that destroys red blood cells. Though Anopheles mosquitoes capable of spreading the disease live in California, the last locally transmitted cases occurred in 1989. Now, the 100 or so cases reported annually in California originate from other countries.
St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV)
SLEV is spread by the Culex mosquito. Most people who contract the virus don’t have symptoms. Rare cases, mostly involving older adults, cause swelling or inflammation of the brain and death.
West Nile virus
This disease affects humans, horses, and birds. It can cause fever-related or neurologic diseases in humans, including meningitis and encephalitis. The West Nile virus has caused nearly 400 deaths in California since 2003.
Zika
So far, there are no locally originating cases of Zika. If a pregnant woman is bitten, the virus can cause brain defects and microcephaly in the infant. The virus also seems to be linked with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a nervous system disorder.
CDPH cautions: The best way to prevent diseases is to keep disease-carrying mosquitoes from breeding near your home and protect yourself from mosquito bites. At Insight Pest Management, our expert technicians do more than just spray repellent or kill mosquitoes on contact. We know you need to eliminate the source of the plague to reduce and prevent mosquito infestations.
Understanding the Mosquito Life Cycle
Mosquitoes are small, but they have a large presence. There are more than 50 different varieties of this flying insect in California. Not all of them bite humans. Of the ones that attack, some spread diseases.
How mosquitoes feed
Male and female mosquitoes consume plant nectar. The males only survive for a couple of weeks, during which time they mate with females.
Human and animal blood contains protein. Female mosquitoes need this nutrient to develop eggs.
When a female mosquito locates a target, it uses a long, double-tubed appendage called a proboscis. It injects numbing saliva that also inhibits blood clotting through one tube. With the other, it sucks blood from the victim.
How mosquitoes multiply
Once a female mosquito has drunk to its satisfaction, it looks for a place to lay eggs. After exposure to water, most eggs hatch over the course of a couple of days. When they grow to adulthood, they start the process of reproduction.
Why California mosquito populations must be controlled
The process of intentionally reducing the number of mosquitoes in a specific area is called mosquito control.
Different approaches target the mosquito habitat or interrupt the life stages of a mosquito, namely:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Adult
Integrated pest management is a strategy to intervene at every point of a mosquito’s life stage. Interventions may include:
- Inspecting your home and the surrounding property to identify where mosquitoes breed and swarm
- Reporting dead birds to the California Department of Public Health (e.g., crows, jays, magpies, ravens, sparrows, finches, or hawks) since they can indicate West Nile virus outbreaks
- Removing mosquito habitats so female cannot find the standing water necessary to lay their eggs
- Install structural barriers like screens and cover gaps in doors, windows, and other openings to prevent mosquitoes from entering the premises
- Eliminating mosquito larvae before they become biting adults
- Spraying large areas with human-safe pesticides that kill airborne adult mosquitoes
If you request a free quote, a member of Insight Pest Management’s team can evaluate your circumstances and determine the most effective approach for your home or business.
Don’t Wait Until Mosquito Season to Act
California’s weather is mild enough that some mosquitoes can reproduce during the coldest months. Winter, spring, and fall are good times to minimize breeding grounds. When mosquitoes are most active in the summer, a professional can help you reduce their spread and protect yourself against disease.
Request same-day solutions from Insight Pest Management. Call (805) 222-7613 to schedule a free quote at your earliest convenience. There’s never a wrong time to keep your loved ones safe from mosquitoes.
