Mosquitoes are slender insects with six legs and long, needle-like mouthparts. When they land on your skin, you might not notice them right away—until they bite. As they feed, they draw blood, and the red appearance you see is from blood filling the expandable part of their digestive system, which has a thin, transparent membrane. Mosquitoes come in various species and colors, but the most notorious are Aedes mosquitoes, which you can recognize by their black and white markings.
Mosquitoes can be harmful. Although they don’t initially carry diseases, they can pick them up from other hosts. Different species are known to transmit a variety of diseases. For instance, Aedes mosquitoes spread the dengue virus, affecting around 400 million people worldwide yearly. Sometimes, dengue infections can lead to serious conditions like dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. These mosquitoes are also known to spread Zika virus, yellow fever, and chikungunya. On the other hand, Culex mosquitoes spread West Nile virus, a potentially deadly disease that remains a concern in the U.S.
Mosquitoes are typically most active at dawn and dusk. This is partly because dehydration can be a major issue during the hot daylight hours, which forces mosquitoes to stay hidden in cooler, shaded areas. These insects also thrive in low-light conditions, as their vision is optimized to detect movement in the dim light of early morning or evening, making it easier for them to locate and land on potential hosts.
While mosquitoes can enter any yard, some environments are naturally more inviting. Both male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant sap, which means yards with weeds can provide an abundant food source. Mosquitoes are particularly drawn to flowers and stems, where they can access nectar or sap. After feeding, they seek out shaded, humid areas to rest, often hiding in landscape vegetation. Yards with plenty of shade, moisture, and plants are especially attractive to mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. They only need a small amount—just one inch—to lay their eggs. A kiddie pool left with a bit of water, for instance, can breed mosquitoes in less than two weeks. To prevent this, simply drain the pool and turn it over.
Common mosquito breeding sites around homes include:
While removing breeding sites can help, the most effective solution is seasonal mosquito treatments. These treatments target eggs, larvae, and active mosquitoes, preventing their development and disrupting their breeding cycle.
Rain creates the perfect environment for mosquitoes to breed, as it fills containers and creates puddles. Mosquitoes quickly take advantage of these water sources to lay eggs, and once the larvae hatch, they develop into adult mosquitoes. A single female mosquito can lay up to 100 eggs at once! Fortunately, many of these water sources dry up quickly, which helps prevent a full-on mosquito invasion.
Not quite. DIY mosquito treatments, such as candles or torches, often fail to provide lasting results. These products only address the symptoms of a mosquito problem, not the root cause. Even more effective products may not be applied correctly or may lose their effectiveness over time. Organic treatments, in particular, require frequent reapplications to stay effective. Proper mosquito control requires expertise and consistency, which is why professional treatments are the most reliable option.
Professional mosquito control services use proven methods to prevent breeding and interrupt mosquito development. They inspect your yard, assess the situation, and create a tailored plan to ensure the most effective control.
Seasonal mosquito control is the best way to keep mosquitoes at bay. This approach targets the root cause of the problem and provides continuous protection throughout the year, disrupting mosquito breeding and preventing them from developing in your yard.
While applying a mosquito repellent with DEET or Picaridin will work when you're outdoors, it’s not practical to use it every time you step into your yard. The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to reduce mosquito populations on your property. By investing in seasonal mosquito control from Four Seasons, you can keep mosquitoes away, eliminating the need for constant repellent use and ensuring a more enjoyable outdoor experience.
Very nice and professional. Always happy with Four Seasons; their staff and technicians are always a pleasure. Thank you Josh and Four Seasons for your excellent service.
Christopher W.
Ringgold, VA
I have been a Four Seasons customer from the beginning. All of the service workers have been great over the years. Josh is friendly and answers my questions. I am pleased with his competence to rid my home of pests. Thank you, Josh!
Faye P.
Greensboro, NC
Four Seasons is an excellent company. They respond quickly to whatever your needs are and are willing to do anything necessary to handle your service requests. They have top notch people in the office and the field. I recommend Four Seasons highly.
John D.
Danville, VA
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