There are more than 3,500 different species of mosquitoes in the world and Arizona is home to more than 45. At best, mosquitoes are a general nuisance to have around – at worst, they can spread a variety of deadly diseases and their bites can cause extreme discomfort. So, how can we avoid mosquitoes altogether? Like many pests, prevention is key.

Characteristics

Understanding the characteristics of mosquitoes is the first step in figuring out how to prevent them. Most have heard the saying “You attract more flies with honey than you do with vinegar,” but did you know the same is true for mosquitoes? Mosquitoes are also attracted to sugar since it’s their main source of food. They typically feed on nectar found in places like flowers, fruit and even plant sap. These small pollinators are not responsible for a large percentage of plant pollination, but they do play a small role in the process.

It might also be surprising to find out that male and female mosquitoes have quite a few differences. These characteristics are important to understand when curating a plan of action against them. The main difference between males and females is that females bite and males do not

Female mosquitoes

Female mosquitos are typically larger and live longer than males. The longer lifespan is attributed to the need to reproduce. Females seek a protein found in blood called serum albumin that they need to produce eggs. This protein is found in all blood, but female mosquitos like to feed on humans, birds, cows, horses, snakes and frogs.

Male mosquitoes

On the other hand, since male mosquitoes do not need to produce eggs, they don’t need to feed on blood. Instead, they focus their energy on finding a mate to reproduce and sugar-producing plants to feed on. They typically avoid contact with humans and don’t deviate far from their main task of mating.

Why Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?

Bites

Mosquito bites leave behind red, itchy bumps on the skin. This is caused by the body’s response to the mosquito's saliva. When a mosquito draws blood, it pierces the skin with its proboscis and injects its saliva. Mosquito saliva contains anticoagulants that prevent blood clotting, making it easier for them to draw blood. This saliva is what triggers the body’s immune response to the bite which leads to the itching, swelling and redness most people experience around the bite site. While most bites are simply an itchy or painful nuisance, they can cause severe allergic reactions in rare cases

Disease

While mosquito bites are annoying, a more serious risk is the transmission of serious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and several forms of encephalitis including West Nile virus. West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-spread disease in Arizona. Even though only about 20% of infected people ever develop any symptoms, the virus can be deadly. Symptoms of West Nile virus and many other mosquito-spread diseases are generally flu-like and include fever, headache, body aches, and muscle weakness. It is crucial to seek medical care if any severe symptoms appear after a mosquito bite.

Preventing Mosquitos

The best way to avoid getting bitten or falling ill with a dangerous disease is to prevent mosquitoes before they become a problem. Inhibiting mosquitoes from breeding is the best form of mosquito prevention. Mosquitoes lay their eggs on or near standing water, so the most effective way to keep mosquitoes from breeding around the home is to ensure there is no standing water anywhere. It only takes 1/8” for a female mosquito to lay her eggs, so any water that collects on the ground or in objects around the home is an invitation for egg laying.

Some standard locations to check include:

Rain gutters
Buckets
Old tires
Potted plant trays and saucers
Plastic covers or tarps
Bird baths
Water fountains

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes

If preventative measures fail and mosquitoes start to buzz around, don’t fret. Bug & Weed Mart has plenty of solutions we recommend to eliminate mosquitoes quickly and on a budget.

Mosquito repellent plants

There are a variety of easy-to-find plants that repel mosquitoes and other pests. Plants that repel mosquitoes include catnip, marigold, citronella, lavender and basil. Since mosquitoes are deterred by the scent of these plants, planting them around the home and yard can help keep mosquitoes at bay.

Products

Bug & Weed Mart sells professional-grade mosquito control products and teaches you how to use them safely and effectively. We have products you can mix yourself and apply with a tank sprayer, or ready-to-use products that simply attach to a garden hose. One of our experts will be happy to help find the right product or combination of products most effective for your environment.

Another type of mosquito control product we recommend is mosquito dunks or bits. Mosquito dunks are donut-shaped pellets placed in standing water that dissolve and kill mosquito larvae. Mosquito bits work the same way, but they can be spread on soil that has standing water, such as yards or gardens. These products use bacteria to kill mosquito larvae and are completely free of chemicals, so they are safe to use around pets, fish, humans and wildlife.

Traps

Mosquito traps are not only a great way to lure and kill mosquitoes but monitoring them is a good way to see how well your other mosquito control methods are working. Traps are easy to plug in and let work. For the best results, they should be monitored periodically and their bulbs and lures changed. The bulb needs to change every 4 months and the lure that draws mosquitoes to the bottom of the basket should be changed every 60 days during mosquito season.

How to Keep Mosquitoes Out of the House

Calling a pest control professional can be costly and cause unwanted exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Let’s take a look at some simple solutions to keep mosquitos out of the house without chemicals.

Citronella candles

Mosquito netting

Mosquito nets are thin, mesh fabric nets that deter bugs from entering the home. While it’s not 100% effective, it does keep most bugs at bay. It may not be the most attractive addition to the home, but neither are bugs.

Ceiling fans

Fans are great deterrents for two reasons.

The higher you turn the setting, the harder it becomes for mosquitoes to fly
When the fan is circulating air, the scents that attract mosquitoes are harder to pinpoint, making you harder to find and less likely to get bit

Whether you are preparing for mosquito season or trying to get rid of mosquitoes already buzzing around, our expert staff is here to help you find a safe, effective, economical strategy to keep them away. Stop by one of our Valley-wide locations to find the products and knowledge you need to keep mosquitoes and other pests from ruining your summer.