Indianapolis is known as "Naptown" because it wakes up once a year to host the famed Indianapolis 500 race. Many of us enjoy catching a nap while in the backyard hammock. Others enjoy sitting on the deck, sipping a cold glass of tea, and enjoying the breeze.
A nap or moment of relaxation outdoors at your home can quickly end when the mosquitos attack. When they begin to divebomb, you have no choice but to fight back or run for cover. If your evenings outdoors are being disrupted by mosquitos, you need the Indianapolis pest control team at Action Pest Control.
Mosquitoes: Friend Or Foe?
The purpose of mosquitoes is to play a role in the earth's ecosystem. Bats, birds, lizards, and some insects feed upon mosquitoes. The larvae of mosquitoes are part of the food chain for aquatic animals. Furthermore, mosquitoes provide nitrogen to water as they feed on drowned insects. But, when it comes to humans, mosquitoes are not your friend.
Although most of the 3,500 mosquito species do not carry diseases, some do and pose a threat to the humans and animals they bite. Of the roughly 100 species that bite humans, it is the females who bite. They bite because they need protein from blood to lay eggs. Male mosquitoes feed on nectar from plants.
How Dangerous Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes do not cause infection but are carriers of bacteria, viruses, and parasitic worms. According to the Indiana Department of Health, here is a list of diseases caused by mosquitoes in Indiana:
- West Nile virus
- Eastern equine encephalitis virus
- Saint Louis encephalitis virus
- La Crosse virus
- Dengue fever
- Chikungunya virus
- Zika virus
Although the range of diseases is disturbing, remember that not every mosquito bite transmits a disease. In the case of the Zika virus, transmission is by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species; neither species is in the Indianapolis area, and all instances of Zika are from those returning from tropical locations outside of the United States.
Most of the diseases spread by mosquitoes listed above result in little to no symptoms or reactions; however, significant or deadly illnesses do occur. For example, encephalitis viruses can cause brain swelling resulting in death or a lifetime of physical issues. Consult your doctor if you experience fever or have concerns.
Avoid scratching the area and keep it clean using soap and water or an antiseptic if bitten. To ease the symptoms, apply a non-prescription hydrocortisone cream.
Why DIY Mosquito Control Often Fails
Home remedies to get rid of mosquitoes often fail because they fail to eliminate the sources. For example, a mosquito trap may reduce the population of adult mosquitos, but it does nothing to destroy the eggs. Studies demonstrate that citronella candles, essential oils, and other DIY pest control methods provide little protection from mosquito attacks. Mosquito foggers for outdoors may suppress mosquito activity around your Indianapolis home for a few hours but are not a long-term solution. DIY sprays can help, but they do not possess the ability to penetrate deep foliage, plus they do not last as long as professional applications.
Professional Mosquito Control Buyers Guide
Effective mosquito control in Indianapolis requires eliminating the breeding locations around the house. The team at Action Pest Control can quickly identify breeding sites around your Indianapolis home. We will give recommendations to reduce, control, and eliminate breeding locations. We will apply environmentally safe and long-lasting treatments to areas where mosquito eggs and developing reside. Contact us today, and let us solve the mosquito infestation on your property.