First of all, it is safe to say that all mosquitoes are annoying. It seems like every time we go outside to enjoy the fresh air during the mosquito season, they start to hover around our faces and will “bite” us wherever they can find bare skin. The after effect of that is a raised bump that is incredibly itchy. And the buzzing sounds they make is enough to drive anyone a bit crazy. What you need to know is that mosquitoes are not just an annoyance, they actually pose a serious threat to humans, pets, and wildlife alike.

Most people are aware of what mosquitoes look like with their long skinny legs, but did you know that only the female has a stinger? What we call a mosquito bite is actually the female injecting her stinger into our flesh in order to consume our blood, which is necessary for her to complete the breeding process. Another element the female needs is some water to lay her eggs in, which could be a small puddle or a deep pond of stagnant water.

The serious dangers mosquitoes pose include West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and chikungunya. Mosquitoes can also spread other diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. Canine heartworm in pets is also caused by the sting of a mosquito. Heartworm can make your pet very sick if not caught early and can be very costly to treat. With all of these serious dangers, we should avoid mosquitoes altogether, which can be a very difficult task. When you go outdoors make sure you are fully covered with long sleeves and pants and use an insect repellent that will keep the mosquitoes at bay.

If you are fed up with mosquitoes in your yard, follow these steps to lower the rate of breeding by:

• Keeping your lawn mowed

• Avoiding thick overgrowth

• Trimming bushes and trees regularly

• Covering pools when not in use

• Clearing out clogged gutters

• Eliminating standing water in problem areas like baby pools, wheelbarrows, upside down toys, buckets, pails, birdbaths, and pet bowls

While these steps will help reduce your mosquito population some, the #1 most effective mosquito control involves acquiring the assistance of a professional pest control service. Professional mosquito control will not kill 100% of the mosquitoes, but in the Albany, New York area Thomas Pest Services is dedicated to reducing the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses by helping you drastically reduce the mosquito activity in your yard. Call us today to find out how we can help you with your seasonal mosquito problem.