Homeowners often struggle with mosquito problems in South Florida because of the area’s stagnant swamps and humid heat. Homeowners with properties that have poor drainage are particularly exposed to mosquito problems. Most mosquitoes that are found near South Florida are harmless, but an increasing number of mosquitoes carry diseases that can infect people who get bitten by them. Homeowners should, therefore, take steps to permanently reduce mosquito populations and prevent mosquitoes from coming back.
Mosquito Breeding Grounds
Problems with mosquitoes originate when these pests manage to find places where they can lay their eggs on or near a homeowner’s property. In order for mosquito eggs to survive, they must be placed in stagnant water for several days before they are ready to hatch. Mosquito eggs cannot survive in water that flows because the eggs must remain stationary while larvae are in their incubation stage. Moreover, mosquito eggs cannot survive once pools of water dry up because they must remain saturated in water for larvae to grow up successfully. Therefore, the most common places where homeowners see mosquito populations emerging are in deep puddles, lakes, and swamps.
How Mosquitoes Select a Breeding Ground
People often assume that mosquitoes lay their eggs arbitrarily, but the reality is that mosquitoes normally invest a significant amount of effort into picking the right breeding ground. Mosquitoes often fly around for several days before selecting a place to lay their eggs. Locations with stagnant water that are likely to remain unevaporated for several days are ideal places that mosquitoes target. Mosquitoes must also consider whether predators that could potentially eat their eggs will be in the area, so they usually avoid clean lakes where their eggs will stand out. Deep puddles, ditches, and swamps are the most common breeding grounds that mosquitoes select.
Areas Vulnerable to Mosquitoes
It is important to remember that mosquitoes can lay their eggs in both the natural world and man-made environments. Properties occupied by humans can, therefore, become targets of mosquitoes if the right preventative measures are not put into place. Mosquitoes can lay their eggs on saturated grass, in decorative ponds, and in the woods surrounding a property. Man-made items that can fill with water after a rainstorm, such as buckets or empty flower pots, can become targets for mosquitoes if these items are not emptied out. Homeowners should keep in mind that a mosquito population will either remain at its current level or continue to increase unless the stagnant water source from which the mosquitoes originated is eliminated.
MosquitoNix of South Florida
MosquitoNix South Florida offers expertise in eliminating mosquito populations so that homeowners can enjoy the great outdoors without having to worry about mosquito bites. Contact MosquitoNix South Florida to learn more today.