Mosquitoes (Culicidae)

What are mosquitoes?

There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world and 170 of them in the United States. The most common species of mosquito in Oklahoma is the common house mosquito.

Mosquitoes vary in color but are primarily gray with different colored scales such as green or iridescent blue. You can further identify this pest thanks to its two wings, antennae, slender body, and long legs. On average, their bodies only grow to about three-eighths of an inch in length, but different feeding levels can influence a mosquito's size.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

The short answer is a resounding yes. Most of the time, mosquito bites just result in an itchy welt that fades in time. However, mosquitoes can transmit a range of diseases such as the West Nile virus and several encephalitis diseases.

Other diseases caused by mosquitoes include yellow fever and malaria. Lately, chikungunya has become more of a concern thanks to it appearing in Caribbean countries.

According to the CDC, over a million people die each year due to mosquito-transmitted diseases.

How do I know if I have a mosquito problem?

The most obvious sign you have a mosquito problem is if you or others are becoming covered in bites from head to toe. The more bites you have, the more likely you have an infestation on your hands.

Another way to determine if you have a mosquito problem is to evaluate your property for stagnant water. Typically, mosquitoes are only active during dawn and dusk. Look for locations filled with water and check for evidence of mosquitoes or their nests. If you find either, you have an infestation.

Where will I find mosquitoes?

You'll find mosquitoes mostly in warm and wet environments because the conditions are conducive to finding hosts to feed on and places to lay their eggs. Mosquitoes are dependent on access to still water, which is they're so prevalent wherever standing water exists.

Female mosquitoes make use of the water to lay their eggs in what we call "rafts." As many as 300 eggs are laid at a time by the female mosquito, making reproduction easy to accomplish.

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

Next to removing sources of standing water and keeping your property maintained, there's not much you can do once the mosquito population has grown beyond a certain point.

In those situations, the best thing to do is to use a mosquito abatement program provided by a professional mosquito control company. Abatement comes in many forms, but it usually involves trapping mosquitoes and testing them for known pathogens.

At Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma, we've honed our process since 1991, ensuring we have the knowledge, training, and resources to eliminate your pest problems, whether they be a mosquito or a different pest entirely.

How can I prevent mosquitoes in the future?

There are a number of ways to actively prevent a mosquito. The most effective solutions are:

• Remove areas of standing water
• Proper landscaping
• Professional mosquito control solutions

Learn more about our home pest control options and commercial pest management solutions.

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