Why Mosquitoes Love Jacksonville

Jacksonville is on the top of the list of best places to retire. This is due to the availability of affordable apartments, a thriving economy, and the temperate climate. But, the climate of Jacksonville isn't just ideal for retirees. It is also perfect for mosquitoes. Here's why.

What Do Mosquitoes Love?

Have you ever noticed that there are more mosquitoes near swamps and in forests? This isn't a coincidence. Mosquitoes are moisture pests. Without lots of moisture, they die.

In Jacksonville, we get lots of moisture year-round. And, the wetter it is, the more mosquitoes there will be. Understanding this is the key to mosquito prevention.
 
Breeding

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, and they don't need much of it. If they can find as little as an inch of water, they can breed. Your goal should be to prevent them. When you make it hard for mosquitoes to breed in your yard, you make it less likely that you'll be bitten when you go out into your yard. Try these tips.

• Check your gutter system to make sure there are no clogs.

• Check your downspouts to make sure water is channeled away from your house and not pooling near your foundation walls.

• If you have compacted soil near your home, loosen it up to allow the rainwater to sink in.

• Shady areas can allow water to pool longer. Trim trees, hedges, and bushes to let the sun dry these areas faster.

• Inspect exterior spigots and hoses and repair any leaks you find.

• If you have a tarp that allows rainwater to accumulate, adjust it so one end is higher and the water can run to the ground.

• If you have a kiddie pool, turn it over when your kids aren't using it or store it away in the garage or shed.

• Items, such as a tire swing, can trap water and give mosquitoes a location to breed. Poking a hole in the bottom will help rainwater run out and soak into the ground. Use this strategy for any container that doesn't need to hold liquid.

• If you have a birdbath, you're not going to be able to poke a hole in it to keep it from giving mosquitoes a place to breed, but you can resist mosquito production by replacing the water and keeping it as free of bacteria as possible.

Hiding

The midday sun in Jacksonville can dry mosquitoes out. For this reason, they hide in the daytime. When they do, they may choose your foundation perimeter. You can make your perimeter less inviting by planting mosquito-repelling plants such as marigolds, citronella grass, and catnip around your other ornamentals. You can also remove plants from your landscaping that have broad leaves which can capture rainwater. But, the best way to address mosquitoes that come to hide on your property is with routine mist treatments from a pest management professional.

The Secret About Mosquitoes

We often think that there isn't anything we can do about mosquitoes because mosquitoes are everywhere. If we're able to kill all the mosquitoes in our yard, won't they just come into our yard from our neighbor's yard? Well, yes and no.

Mosquitoes are pretty lazy. Most mosquitoes won't travel more than a few hundred yards from where they hatched. Suppose you have your perimeter routinely treated by a pest management professional during the mosquito season. In that case, you can have a serious impact on mosquito populations on your property and in your neighborhood. It takes time for new mosquitoes to replace the mosquitoes that are eliminated.

 Viruses

When mosquitoes bite, they don't just leave itchy red welts; they also have the potential to spread dangerous viruses such as West Nile, Zika, chikungunya, dengue, malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis, and more. These all come with symptoms that can be pretty severe.

The Mosquito Problem

It can seem as though mosquito bites are inevitable, but they aren't. With mosquito service, you can see a dramatic decrease of mosquitoes in your yard and significantly reduce your chances of being bitten.

Mosquito Control

In Florida, mosquito season can last a long time because of the warm temperatures and the nearly constant availability of still water. Fortunately, Jacksonville area residents don't have to put up with mosquitoes in their backyards. Give us a call to learn more about our mosquito control solutions.