A Useful Mosquito Prevention Guide For Your Jacksonville Yard
Mosquitoes are a serious problem all over the U.S., and we definitely don't get a break here in Jacksonville. Nighttime temperatures rise above 50 degrees, and we're all getting bitten every time we set one toe out the door. The good news is we don't have to take what mosquitoes dish out lying down. There can be plenty of weapons in your Jacksonville pest control arsenal.
The Role Mosquitoes Play In Our Ecosystem
You might not realize it, but mosquitoes are actually pretty essential to the ecosystems they inhabit. Yes, they're annoying, but they also provide a foundational building block in the food chain. Many different animals would lose a vital food source without mosquitoes. Some species that depend on them or the animals that eat them might even go extinct.
Mosquitoes in Jacksonville are also vital pollinators. Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes don't consume blood for food – they drink nectar. Females only bite to get enough protein to lay their eggs. The rest of the time, even female mosquitoes feed on nectar. High-nectar flowers that grow in or near water sources, such as pond lilies and water hyacinths, are some of their preferred food sources. These flowers might not get sufficient pollination if it were not for mosquitoes feeding on them.
The Dangerous Diseases Mosquitoes Are Known To Spread
The viruses carried by mosquitoes are the main reason you want to avoid getting bitten. Sure, mosquito bites are itchy and irritating for a couple of days, but if that were the worst you could expect, then there wouldn't be much reason to try to prevent them. However, mosquitoes are some of the worst pathogen vectors in the world. They carry some of Earth's most deadly diseases, including malaria, which kills up to a million people every year.
Here in the United States, malaria does not exist, and other mosquito-borne illnesses are rare. But we still have to contend with several viruses that can cause severe illness that leads to hospitalization and potentially even death. These viruses include:
- West Nile virus
- Chikungunya fever
- Multiple strains of viral encephalitis
The consequences of contracting a mosquito-borne illness can be severe. They can range from fever, headaches, and vomiting to brain swelling that leads to permanent loss of cognitive function. So there's really no reason to put up with mosquitoes, considering you don't have to.
Five Eco-Friendly Mosquito Prevention Tips
Keeping mosquitoes away doesn't necessarily mean spraying dangerous chemicals in your yard. There are other ways to repel mosquitoes:
- Plant flowers that keep mosquitoes away, like lemongrass and lavender.
- Get rid of standing water on your property.
- Trim back trees and shrubs to reduce shade and encourage evaporation.
- Prune or remove flowers that attract mosquitoes.
- Always wear botanical insect repellent when going outdoors.
These home pest control measures can not only make your yard less attractive to mosquitoes, but they can also actively repel them.
Call The Pros For Total Mosquito Control for Your Yard
Unfortunately, mosquito control is not entirely up to you. There are a lot of factors that are out of your control when it comes to repelling mosquitoes. For instance, if your house sits near a body of water, then you can't exactly remove the standing water that's attracting mosquitoes. That's where B&T Pest Control comes in. Our mosquito experts in Jacksonville, NC can help you take your mosquito control game to the next level to ensure that even if there are attractants around your property, they'll help keep the mosquitoes away from your yard. So don't wait!