Among the least welcome of pests, mosquitoes fly around with their blood-sucking proboscis and ruin outdoor gatherings or hikes in the woods and make gardening infinitely less enjoyable. The problem is especially apparent after a recent rainfall or near standing water. That’s where mosquitoes like to lay their eggs. While most folks assume that mosquitoes are harmless (although extraordinarily irritating) mosquitoes can pass dangerous diseases. This can be a serious problem for those who have very young or very old people around their house. In this article, we’ll discuss how Amco Ranger can help you prevent a complete infestation.
Mosquitoes In O’Fallon, Missouri
Mosquitoes are commonly found throughout spring, summer, and fall. They breed along rivers, lakes, and streams in nature. But urban areas and residential neighborhoods provide them with plenty of alternatives. These include around your house, underneath gutters, underneath sinks, in leaky faucets, in gutters that don’t drain all the way, in trash cans, and in ditches. Just about anywhere there is standing water, mosquitoes will find a perfect place to lay their eggs. After they’re laid, the eggs only take two or three days to fully hatch.
The St. Charles County Environmental Division warns that there are two types of mosquitoes that Missouri residents need to be on the lookout for:
- Floodwater mosquitoes lay their eggs in damp soil close to the ground. Leaving certain objects lying around your yard that could collect rainwater can easily become mosquito nurseries. These are the ones that you notice in late spring. They can travel up to ten miles away from where they hatched.
- Permanent water mosquitoes lay eggs directly on the surface of standing water. In some cases, they do this in very large groups called “rafts”. These mosquitoes will hatch later in the season and tend not to venture very far from where they were born. The prevalence of these pests is directly related to access to water sources and weather conditions that favor the availability of such water sources.
There are over 50 types of mosquitoes that can haunt the Missouri landscape. Amco Ranger can ensure that these pests don’t make your home an easy target.
The Dangers Of Mosquitoes
While mosquitoes are generally considered harmless but irritating, that isn’t necessarily the case and one should never assume that they’ve been bitten by a “safe” mosquito. The Missouri Department of Conservation warns that certain types of mosquitoes can carry life-threatening illnesses. What kinds of diseases do mosquitoes carry?
- West Nile Virus is a disease that mosquitoes pick up after feeding on birds. The disease causes severe fever, flu-like symptoms, and swollen lymph glands. If the fever is severe enough, it can cause confusion, seizures, coma, and sometimes death. Once the mosquito is infected, the virus is easily transmitted to humans.
- Zika Virus also causes flu-like symptoms with the illness lasting a week or more. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to the Zika Virus as the infection can be passed to their unborn child causing maldevelopment of the brain or other birth defects.
While many types of mosquito-borne illnesses, like malaria, have been eradicated in the U.S., mosquitoes can also cause encephalitis, which can result in movement disorders, confusion, and seizures. Mosquitoes aren’t just a threat to humans either. They can harm your pets or livestock.
Mosquito Control In O’Fallon
Amco Ranger offers our customers a variety of options for dealing with an ongoing mosquito problem. Initially, we will perform a free inspection on your home, taking a careful look at problem areas and breeding grounds that make your family an easy target for mosquitoes. Not only can we eliminate current infestations, but we can also prevent future ones.
If you’re having a serious problem with mosquitoes, then you need to be proactive. Mosquitoes are not harmless. They can dangerous. To find out more about how Amco Ranger can help you, give us a call today for a free inspection.
*Listed pricing is for most homes, subject to change, and does not include program start-up fee. Final pricing determined during initial consultation.
Address:
5185 Highway N
Cottleville, MO 63304
Hours:
Mon. – Fri.: 7AM – 5PM
Sat.: 8AM – 12PM
Sun.: CLOSED