Experts Predicting Fierce Mosquito Season This Year

Arrow Exterminators Recommends Taking Action to Guard Against This Notorious Pest

Spring is already in the air!  Warm weather is moving in to stay and residents in our area will be heading outdoors to enjoy the longer days and summer months to come.  There are certainly many things to look forward to this time of year, however, pesky mosquitoes are not one of those things. 

“As the temperatures continue to rise, mosquito populations boom and the recent rains have created the perfect breeding ground for another banner year,” said Charlie Jones, Arrow Pest Expert and SVP of Operations.  “Homeowners should take precautions because these pests do more than leave behind itchy red bites, they can also spread diseases like West Nile Virus, Zika Virus and Chikungunya Fever.”

According to Arrow Exterminators’ recent survey, mosquitoes rank as the third most dreaded pests of 2018, with 30 percent identifying them as a concern, and unfortunately, they’re sometimes more than just annoyances. These insects can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, chikungunya, encephalitis, and the infamous Zika virus. To reduce chances of mosquito bites, homeowners should remove all sources of standing water from around their home, and cut back any unnecessary vegetation.

Needing only small amounts of standing water to breed – a bottle cap full is enough – these blood-sucking pests can develop from egg to adult in just 10-14 days.  Additionally, these pests are always in search of their next meal and sense a potential target from up to 75 feet away.

To help homeowners protect themselves against mosquitoes this year, Arrow Exterminators recommends the following simple, proactive measures:

• Eliminate all sources of standing water such as children's wading pools, birdbaths and flower pots;
• Keep rain gutters cleaned out to prevent water from standing in drains;
• Cut back or get rid of unnecessary vegetation around the home where mosquitoes can breed and/or rest;
• Keep swimming pools covered in colder months to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs there, and drain any water that has collected on top of pool covers;
• Remove water that has collected in tree holes and hollow stumps;
• Screen windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside homes; and
• Consider using yellow bug light bulbs in outdoor light fixtures – the bulbs reduce the number of flying insects around your home.