06/11/2025
Chem Pest Service ~~Mosquitoes~~
Where do mosquitoes breed?
A mosquito`s lifecycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. All mosquitoes need water to breed and spend their larval and pupal stages in water. This is why it is important to prevent water from accumulating around your home and to empty and clean water containers in and around your home weekly.
How long does it take for mosquitoes to hatch after a flood?
Flood-water mosquitoes, which include some species of thePsorophora, OchlerotatusandAedesgenera, lay eggs above the waterline in ditches, ponds, tanks and other places where water collects. The eggs can remain in dry conditions for several months. After floods or heavy rains when the water level rises, the eggs hatch and in a few days produce swarms of aggressive and hungry mosquitoes. Another wave of mosquitoes occurs later, typically 10 to 14 days after the rains stop. These mosquitoes are a big nuisance, but not all of them cause illnesses.
What about other types of mosquitoes?
Other kinds of mosquitoes, including theCulex, lay eggs on the stagnant water left by flooding or rain. These mosquitoes may transmit viruses that cause diseases such as West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis.
Aedes breed in and around homes, preferring containers with cleaner water such as plant saucers, bird baths, wading pools, and flower vases. These types of mosquitoes may transmit the viruses that cause chikungunya, dengue, and Zika.
Where are adult mosquitoes found?
Adult flying mosquitoes frequently rest in grass, shrubbery or other foliage.Aedesaegyptithat transmit dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses live in and around homes and other areas of human activity.
How can mosquitoes be controlled around the home?
Get rid of standing water in which mosquitoes can breed. If there are any places around your home where water collects, you may be raising mosquitoes.
What specific steps can people take to control mosquitoes outside a home?
Take the following steps to help cut down on the mosquito population:
Get rid of or empty and clean on a weekly basis any cans, buckets, bottles, old tires, empty pots, plant saucers and other containers that hold water.
Keep gutters clear of debris and standing water. Remove standing water around structures and from flat roofs.
Change water in pet dishes at least once a day. Change water in wading pools and bird baths at least weekly.
Fill in low areas in the yard and holes in trees that collect water.
Maintain your backyard pool or hot tub and be sure someone takes care of it if you are out of town.
Stock ornamental ponds with fish that eat mosquitoes.
Cover trash containers so they will not collect water.
Water lawns and gardens carefully so water does not stand for several days.
Repair any leaking plumbing and outside faucets.
Screen rain barrels and openings to water tanks or cisterns.
Keep drains and ditches clear of weeds and trash so water will not collect.
How can people keep mosquitoes out of the house?
Be sure door, porch and window screens are in good condition. Don't leave doors to the outside standing open. Change water weekly in vases, plant saucers, and containers holding plant cuttings inside the home.
How can people protect themselves from mosquito bites?
Cover as much skin as possible with clothing to reduce exposure to mosquito bites and use a recommended repellent on exposed skin every time you are outdoors (do not apply repellent on skin under clothing). Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spray clothes with repellent containing permethrin for extra protection. Also, limit the amount of time you spend outdoors when mosquitoes are active (some bite during the day, others at night).
WEST NILE VIRUS
West Nile Virus is a serious concern in the state of Texas. Most individuals infected with West Nile virus never display symptoms. However, approximately 1 in 5 infected individuals will experience generally non-life threatening symptoms like headaches, fever, joint pain, and a rash. Less than 1% of infected individuals suffer from a serious, sometimes fatal, neurological illness because of West Nile virus. For more information about the symptoms and treatment of West Nile virus, please visit theCDC webpage.
CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS
Originally contained within the Caribbean, Texas has confirmed a human case of the Chikungunya virus. The disease is generally not fatal but does cause fever, joint pain and swelling, headaches, muscle pain, and a rash in most infected individuals. Symptoms usually develop within 3-7 days of being infected. The mosquitoes that spread Chikungunya are most active during the day, as opposed to dawn and dusk. Therefore, it is important to take precautions against mosquito bites all day long, not just at certain times.
ZIKA VIRUS
Zika virus is primarily spread to people through mosquito bites. The virus can be spread from mother to child. Spread of the virus through blood transfusion and sexual contact has also been reported.
Most people infected with the virus have mild or no symptoms. For those who do develop symptoms, illness is generally mild and typically lasts a few days to a week. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon and fatalities are rare. An increase in Guillain-Barréwas noted during an outbreak of Zika virus in French Polynesia in 2014. An increase inmicrocephalynoted during an outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil in 2015. My husband Richard Wood caught the Zika Virus in Aruba in 2016 and developed brain inflammation it was very scary and took a long time to resolve itself... He's doing great now! Trust me the irony was not lost on me that the bug man goes on vacation and gets bit by a bug!
