The Science Behind Mosquito Behavior And How To Use It To Your Advantage In Frisco

We live in an era of unprecedented scientific discovery. Science has given us automobiles, airplanes, the internet, air conditioning, and many medical advancements. We live longer and have a better quality of life due to scientific innovation.

The scientific process is about answering: how, why, and what. Discovering the answers to those questions leads to a better understanding of the problem and puts us on the pathway to a solution. You are probably reading this article because you want answers to the questions, "Why are mosquitoes infesting my yard?", "Why do mosquitoes seem attracted to me"?, and "How do I get rid of mosquitoes?". The answers you seek begin with securing mosquito pest control in Plano from All-Safe Pest & Termite.

Our nearly forty-year-old, family-owned and operated company is the winner of numerous awards. We are a "Top Pick" pest control company in an independent survey of over 10,000 metroplex homeowners. Our low-toxicity pest control solutions, quality customer care, and highly-trained technicians have garnered us thousands of five-star Google reviews. You can rest assured that we know the science behind effective mosquito control.

About The Mosquito Life Cycle

Good scientific discovery begins by addressing the question: "What." So let's start our quest by learning about mosquitoes in Plano.

Mosquitos are six-legged winged insects with a three-part body (head, thorax, and abdomen), compound eyes, two antennae, and an external skeleton. They do not possess a stinger or spinnerets. Surprisingly, only female mosquitoes bite and do so only after being fertilized. Unless they need to produce eggs, they feed on plant juices and nectar, like their male counterparts.

A fertilized female mosquito begins searching for a blood meal from animals or humans because blood contains protein, amino acids, and other necessary nutrients to enable egg production. When the mosquito locates a host, it lands and immediately inserts its proboscis into the skin to probe for blood vessels. Upon finding a blood vessel, the mosquito secretes saliva into its victim that contains an anticoagulant to facilitate blood flow and an anesthetic to numb the area so you don't notice what is happening. The female mosquito draws blood for 150 to 240 seconds.

A few days after fulfilling its blood needs, the mosquito is ready to lay eggs. She then flies to a damp, dark location to deposit the eggs. Some species lay eggs in a raft-like formation on the water's surface, others right about the water line, and others in the damp ground near a water source. The eggs may lay dormant for several months until conditions are conducive.

Larvae may emerge from the eggs within a few days if the temperature is warm and moisture is abundant. The larvae, or "wigglers," are colorless, legless creatures. During the next several days, the larvae feed on organic plant and animal material floating in the water while progressing through several growth phases. At each stage, they shed their outer shell (exoskeleton) for all their bodies to expand.

When they complete the initial growth stages, the larvae create and enter a cocoon-like structure., which begins the pupa stage. While inside their cocoons, the pupae do not eat but rather float on the water's surface and tumble downward into the water whenever it is disturbed. After two to seven days, the pupae crack open their cocoons and emerge as adults. Although they are now adults, they have to float on top of their raccoons while their wings harden so they can fly. Once their wings are ready, they fly from their breeding ground to search for food, and the cycle begins again.

When an All-Safe Pest & Termite technician inspects your Plano property to get rid of mosquitoes in the yard, we will locate likely breeding locations to target our treatments. 

The Science Of Mosquito Attraction: Factors That Draw Them To Humans

Mosquitoes have compound eyes but not particularly good eyesight. So, how do they find their victims? These things attract female mosquitoes to potential victims:

• Carbon dioxide
• Perspiration
• Blood types
• Body heat
• Bacteria
• Dark clothing
• Diet

Let's briefly investigate each of these attractants.

Carbon dioxide is a gas expelled from your body when you exhale through your nose or mouth. This gas attracts fertilized female mosquitoes because it communicates to them the presence of blood. When you exercise outdoors or exert yourself, your carbon dioxide output increases, which makes you more attractive to mosquitoes. Furthermore, some studies indicate pregnant women attract more mosquitoes because of increased CO2 output.

Another attractant for female mosquitoes is perspiration. Sweat indicates life (i.e., blood flow), but mosquitoes also like lactic acid, ammonia, and other components in perspiration. Outdoor exercise or physical activity (e.g., mowing the lawn, playing physical games) makes you a mosquito target.

Body heat, which corresponds to perspiration and increased CO2 output, is another mosquito attractant. Mosquitos will sense your body heat if you work or exercise outdoors, especially on days over 80℉.

The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the more common types of mosquitoes in Texas. Studies indicate that this species prefers Type O blood. You may be wondering, how does a mosquito know my blood type? According to research, most people produce a secretion signaling their blood type, and mosquitos can detect the odor of the secretion.

Although we take showers to keep our bodies clean, we still have bacteria on our skin's surface. When significant amounts of bacterium mix with sweat, it produces an attractant for some mosquitoes. This fact may also explain why many people experience more bites on their ankles and feet because these areas have higher concentrations of bacteria.

Some studies suggest black and green colors attract mosquitoes more than white or grey. Another interesting finding is people who eat bananas are more susceptible to mosquito bites.

Attracting mosquitoes is dangerous because some carry diseases. West Nile virus, dengue, chikungunya, encephalitis, and tularemia are diseases mosquitoes carry in the United States. Although not every bite results in a trip to the hospital or flu-like symptoms, mosquitoes are responsible for more deaths and hospitalizations than any other insect—especially in other countries.

All-Safe Pest & Termite has the tools, experience, and knowledge to get rid of mosquitoes in your backyard and significantly reduce the possibility of becoming a victim in your yard.

The Science Of Mosquito Prevention: Effective Strategies

No company can eliminate all mosquitoes around anyone's house; however, our tools and products and these prevention tips are the best way to keep mosquitoes out of the yard.

• Remove items that collect water
• Provide drainage to ditches and low-lying areas on the property
• Eliminate overgrowth, leaf, and wood piles that trap moisture
• Change birdbath water frequently
• Clean out the gutters and downspouts
• Prune shrubs and trees to allow airflow and sunlight
• Mow the grass short
• Wear lighter clothing
• Plant insect-repelling vegetation

Maintaining a clean and dry property removes mosquito breeding grounds on your property, which reduces the mosquito population flying around your house. When an All-Safe Pest & Termite technician arrives to treat your location to keep mosquitoes away, we can provide additional tips for your specific situation. 

The Science Behind Our Expert Mosquito Control Services

All-Safe Pest & Termite has provided mosquito control for several decades. Over the years, we've implemented the latest scientific discoveries in our products to provide you with superior mosquito control. Our process begins by inspecting your Plano property to determine attractants and mosquito hot spots. We share our findings with you so you can take action to eliminate attractants on your property.

After the inspection, we will use our backpack misting system to treat shrubs, bushes, overgrowth, and other potential mosquito hot spots. This method uses products that destroy adult mosquitoes and kill the larvae and pupae in those areas. Due to our climate, April to October is mosquito season in Texas; during that period, we perform our misting treatment every 30 days/

For ultimate protection, we install the In2Care mosquito system. Each strategically placed station has stagnant water that attracts egg-laying female mosquitoes. When the mosquitoes fly down into the trap, they rest on netting with negatively-charged biocide particles while depositing their eggs into the water. Unbeknownst to the females, the water below has biocide chemicals that will kill the emerging larvae.

Because mosquitoes build up a positive electrical charge on their bodies as they fly, they attract the negatively-charged biocide particles from the netting while laying their eggs. After depositing their eggs, they leave the trap, join other mosquitoes, and inadvertently spread the biocide particles attached to their bodies to other mosquitoes. A few days after exposure to the chemicals, the mosquitoes die. Because these traps are active year-round, they are the best way to reduce the mosquito population consistently around your Plano home.

All-Safe Pest & Termite provides the best mosquito control in Plano. Our mosquito control service will help protect your family from the diseases mosquitoes spread by reducing the number of mosquitoes on your property. Using the latest scientific discoveries for mosquito control allows you to enjoy comfortable evenings, working in the garden or relaxing on the back porch. Contact us today to learn about our mosquito control services and to get your free estimate.