Nobody wants to spend their summers swatting away at mosquitoes, and that includes the residents of Queen Creek. If you feel like you constantly find yourself covered in mosquito bites, here’s what you should know about the purpose that local mosquitoes serve, how mosquito control has worked in the past, the diseases that these pests may transmit, and some of the best ways to keep mosquitoes out of your Queen Creek yard.
What Is The Purpose Of Mosquitoes In Queen Creek?
While most mosquitoes may seem like their only purpose is to ruin your day, these pests aren’t as pointless as they may seem. Mosquitoes do play a bigger role in helping the Queen Creek environment.
Not only do these bugs serve as a crucial food source for birds, bats, fish larvae, and frogs, but they’re also major pollinators. Only female mosquitoes drink human blood – others drink nectar from flowering plants and help pollinate the local ecosystem.
Out of the 3,500 species of mosquitoes, only a small portion of those mosquitoes are responsible for spreading mosquito-borne diseases.
A Brief History Of Mosquito Control In Queen Creek
Unfortunately, humans have been battling mosquitoes for centuries, and there have been countless forms of mosquito control – some of which are still used today.
Hundreds of years ago, Native Americans relied on plants to combat mosquitoes and keep them away from their tribes. They grew mosquito-repellant plants like rosemary, lemongrass, and even catnip. This form of mosquito control may be ancient, but the technique still works. Many of these plants are still used to ward off mosquitoes and keep them out of Queen Creek yards.
During the 1800s and 1900s, the link between mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases was discovered, and new forms of mosquito control were developed. New powders and pesticides were developed, including DDT in the 1940s. Unfortunately, many of these chemicals, including DDT, did more harm than good. Non-toxic repellants, bug zappers, and traps began to enter the market during the 1960s and continue to be used today.
The Diseases Mosquitoes In Queen Creek Can Transmit
The most dangerous part of encountering a mosquito is the various diseases they can transmit. Although not all mosquitoes carry diseases, the risk is always there, and some of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses include:
- Zika virus
- West Nile virus
- Malaria
- Dengue fever
- Chikungunya virus
- Yellow fever
If you begin to experience any of these symptoms following a mosquito bite, you should seek medical attention promptly:
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain and cramping
- Spreading rash
- Vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Queen Creek Yard
Mosquito control continues to develop, but what are some of the natural ways you can keep these pests out of your Queen Creek yard? Natural ways to repel mosquitoes include:
- Plant mosquito-repellent plants. Lemongrass, citronella, and catnip may help repel mosquitoes, and adding them to your garden could act as a natural deterrent.
- Get rid of standing water sources. Mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in standing water, so puddles, birdbaths, and other standing water sources in your yard can encourage their presence.
- Avoid planting too many flowering plants. As pollinators, mosquitoes may be more drawn to bright, flowering plants, so limiting how many that you plant may also limit the mosquitoes in your yard.
- Keep up with regular lawn maintenance. Mosquitoes need a place to rest, and overgrown weeds and grass can offer plenty of shade. Keeping up with regular lawn maintenance by cutting grass, getting rid of weeds, and trimming overgrown shrubs can prevent mosquitoes from hanging around these shady areas.
In addition to the natural ways to deter mosquitoes above, the most effective way to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard is with professional residential pest control from Quell Pest Control. Our local, family-owned business is centered around meeting the needs of Queen Creek residents, and we’ll use our eco-friendly, effective treatments to do so.
If you feel like you’re constantly battling mosquitoes in your Queen Creek yard, there’s no reason to put yourself at risk – call us today at Quell Pest Control to learn more about how our experienced specialists can help with your mosquito problem.
