What do Asian tiger mosquitoes look like?
Asian tiger mosquitoes, or Aedes albopictus, are small mosquitoes with black and white striped legs and a white stripe down the middle of their thoraxes. In addition to their distinct appearance, you may be able to identify them by their aggressive behavior, especially during dawn and dusk when they are out feeding.
When do mosquitoes bite?
Asian tiger mosquitoes typically bite during the daytime, with peak activity occurring early morning and late afternoon. Unlike some other species, these mosquitoes are most aggressive during daylight hours.
Are Asian tiger mosquito bites dangerous?
Infected mosquitoes in Virginia can carry and transmit West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and other mosquito-borne diseases. Health impacts on people range from mild, flu-like symptoms to more severe conditions, including neurological issues. Animals can also suffer from mosquito bites, including acquiring heartworm disease and Eastern equine encephalitis.
Where do these mosquitoes breed?
Asian tiger mosquitoes breed in any stagnant water resources. A female mosquito only needs a half inch of water. Here are a few of the many locations a female mosquito might lay eggs on your property:
- Water in a damp flower pot
- Rainwater on a tarp
- A pool of water in a clogged gutter
- Water collected in a bucket, pail, cup, bowl, or some other container
- Puddles
- Bird baths that do not have water circulation
When you find mosquitoes in a water source, you're likely to notice if you look closely. Mosquitoes start as wriggling worms and grow into tumbling pupae. The pupae then cocoon themselves as they develop into adults. You may see the wrigglers, tumblers, or cocoons in the water.
How far do Asian tiger mosquitoes travel?
Although Asian tiger mosquitoes may travel up to one mile or more from their breeding sites, they typically don't fly more than 300-500 feet.
Their relatively short flight range means they often remain close to their breeding sites, which are usually small, stagnant water sources. This localized behavior emphasizes the importance of eliminating standing water and controlling mosquito populations near homes and other areas where they might breed.
How do you get rid of mosquitoes?
While it’s impossible to exterminate entire mosquito populations, Evergreen Pest Solutions offers seasonal mosquito treatments that drastically reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property and disrupt mosquito reproduction efforts.
How can I prevent mosquitoes?
There are two ways to prevent mosquitoes on your property. Here are a few steps you can take to limit mosquito production and reduce hiding places:
- Remove all objects from your yard that act as containers for rainwater.
- Clean clogs in your gutter system.
- Address poor gradation to reduce puddles.
- Trim vegetation in your landscaping to reduce humidity.
- Remove weeds from your landscaping and apply weed control to your lawn.
These tips naturally deter mosquitoes. Dedicated effort can help you achieve a noticeable reduction in mosquitoes. Here are ways a pest control service provider will help:
- We inspect your property and evaluate breeding sites and conducive conditions.
- We establish a plan that meets your specific needs.
- We eliminate adult mosquitoes on your property during treatments.
- We apply a material that disrupts mosquito development and helps to prevent mosquitoes from becoming flying adult mosquitoes that can bite you.
Evergreen Pest Solutions offers one-time mosquito control before outdoor events and ongoing mosquito management during mosquito season. Contact us to schedule a service visit. We'll evaluate your property and help you get the kind of control you want. Ongoing mosquito abatement will not only make your backyard a nicer place to be, but it will also help mitigate the risk of mosquito-borne diseases spread by Asian tiger mosquitoes and other common species.
