Mosquitoes Are Here In Full Force

As the summer rainy season nears an end, the mosquitoes seem to be making a bug attempt to multiply like crazy.  Even the damp grass seems to be enough for those little suckers survive.  Can you believe that the larva can grow in just several drops of water? 

Here's a few last minute ideas that may help, since it is fruitless to try to get all of the water our or off your property at this time of the year. 

 Natural Remedies

Burn a little sage or rosemary over coals to repel mosquitoes. This is especially good for picnics and camping trips.

Rubbing the skin with baby oil or imitation vanilla extract repels biting insects such as mosquitoes and blackflies.

Some people swear garlic works and swallow slivered garlic to ward off these summer pests.  Others take garlic tablets or rub garlic directly on their skin.

Some people have luck with high doses of vitamin B1 (100 milligrams, two or three times a day), but it doesn't work for  everyone.

Rub cider vinegar on your skin to repel insects.  If you take in enough cider vinegar by putting it on foods you eat, you'll develop a body odor that will repel insects, including black flies.

In the garden

It is thought that certain plants repel a broad spectrum of insects.  Marigolds, chrysanthemums, asters, and pyrethrum daisies, as well as herbs such as basil, anise, and coriander are all thought to repel insects.

To keep mosquitoes to a minimum, eliminate their breeding sites on your property.  The need standing water to lay their eggs in, so empty those puddles, old cans, buckets and plant pots.

  
House hints

Add a few drops of citronella to each gallon of exterior paint to help keep away flying insects such as blackflies and mosquitoes.  The citronella won't affect the paint, but it will keep the bugs from messing up your fresh paint job.


Add a bat house.  Did you know that one small brown bat can eat as many as 600 mosquitoes in one hour?    And bats will not bother you or your pets. 

Remember - the only good mosquito is a dead mosquito!

Monsoon Season = Mosquito Season

     The warm wet season is prime time for mosquito to reproduce.  A they are reproducing in full force as you read this. It is important to know the facts to keep them out of our lives.

     The length of the mosquito life cycle varies between species and is dependent upon environmental conditions such as temperature and moisture. However, the life cycle of all mosquitoes is comprised of the egg, larva, pupa and adult stages.

     Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar alone, while females extract the blood of hosts in order to develop and nourish eggs. Most mosquitoes lay their eggs directly into water. Others lay their eggs near bodies of water but not within them.

     Eggs will hatch into larvae within 24 to 48 hours. Larvae soon grow to become approximately 1/4-inch in length. Most larvae breathe through air tubes. Larger larvae can be seen floating just above the surface of infested waters.

     Within seven to 10 days, larvae enter the pupal stage. Pupae are also visible upon the surface of the breeding site. After a mosquito is fully developed, it will emerge as an adult from its pupal case. At this time, the new adult stands upon the water and dries its wings to prepare for flight. Adult female mosquitoes will then seek an animal on which to feed. Females are capable of flying for miles if necessary and can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. After she lays a batch of eggs, the female will seek another host for a blood meal.

     Larvae and pupae cannot survive without water. If a water source evaporates before the larvae and pupae within it transform into adult mosquitoes, those young will die.

     Look around for the unobvious places that may be a mosquito breeding ground.  And if you know of an hazard in your neighborhood such as a green pool of an unoccupied house, call your local health department to see if they may be able in treat the area. 

     If you are a person who want to be completely educated then learn all about the diseases that can be carried by these pest and be aware of all the symptoms.  A brief list of the most common are Malaria, West Nile Virus and Encephalitis.