6 uncommon mosquito facts

Did you know that there are over 3,500 species of mosquito? Or that they can transmit diseases like Japanese encephalitis, Dengue fever, and Zika virus? Here are 6 uncommon facts about these pesky insects.

Day-time vs night-time mosquitoes

​Did you know that different varieties of mosquitoes come out at different times of the day? Some mosquitoes are only present during the day, others only at night. Then to confuse us there are other varieties that prefer dawn and dusk. Not to be left out, there are the 24/7 mosquitoes that don't really mind what time it is, they're always up for a bite. 

Why mosquitoes suck blood

​Mosquitoes are not some long-lost relative of Dracula, in fact, it's only the female mosquitoes that suck blood. That is part of why they do suck blood. Mosquitoes need the protein in blood to help feed their eggs before they are laid. That is why only female mosquitoes bite and why they suck our blood. 

Mosquitoes and beer

Mosquitoes stalk us by our breath

​Mosquitoes “smell out" their next meal by the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions animals and humans make. Some people emit more CO2 making them more attractive to mosquitoes than others. In fact, pregnant women are more likely to attract mosquitoes than anyone else. 
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Did you know that CO2 lures were used at the Sydney Olympics to attract and kill mosquitoes?

It's not that mosquitoes prefer a lager or an IPA, they're not that fussy. However, the more beer someone drinks, the more attractive they are to mosquitoes. (Maybe it's the bubbles?)

Mosquitoes and humidity

​We all know that mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs and grow larvae; but did you know that mosquitoes don't like dry climates? They have a lower threshold of humidity and will appear in larger numbers, the more humid it is. (Not great for this mild wet weather we're having, that's perfect humidity for them)

Mosquitoes and water

​Most of us know that mosquitoes will lay their eggs in water, but that's not the only reason. Once laid, some eggs will lay dormant in dry conditions until the water returns. That's why there will often be a sudden outbreak of mosquitoes after rain or with king tides. The dormant eggs are then exposed to water where they hatch and can then progress through their lifecycle and become adult mosquitoes. 

Pest controllers have a variety of methods for treating mosquitoes, depending on the level of infestation. For minor infestations, they may simply spray a insecticide around the perimeter of the property. For more serious infestations, the pest control company may spray the entire property with insecticide.

MD Pest Control uses a mister to spray your home and the plants and other places where mosquitoes tend to gather. The spray will not ‘burn’ the plants and lasts 10-12 weeks, weather depending. 

You may not know it, but mosquitoes can be quite problematic when they are allowed to breed in and around your home. Mosquitoes can carry several diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets, as well as cause skin irritation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding mosquitoes or any of the other pests we treat, please feel free to contact MD Pest Control anytime at 0407614220. You can also book your services through our handy booking system. Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts can provide useful information on a topic like this!