4 Things You Need To Know About Aedes Mosquitoes
Aedes mosquitoes, also called yellow fever mosquitoes, are one of the most common types of mosquitoes in the world, and they can cause a lot of problems for you. Here are four things you need to know about Aedes mosquitoes.
How do you identify Aedes mosquitoes?
Aedes mosquitoes have dark brown to black bodies with white markings. You can also identify them by the presence of their eggs: they lay black, football-shaped eggs on the surface of water sources.
Where are Aedes mosquitoes found?
Aedes mosquitoes are native to Africa, but they're now found throughout the world's tropic and subtropic zones. They can't survive temperate winters, so for now, they're confined to the southeastern region of the United States. However, scientists are worried that they could expand their range into temperate areas of the world due to climate change, so they may be found in more states in the future.
Why are Aedes mosquitoes pests?
All mosquitoes are annoying, but Aedes mosquitoes can do more than just give you an itchy bite. Aedes mosquitoes are the main vectors for dengue fever, a serious viral disease. Dengue fever is often thought of as a disease of the tropics or of faraway places, but you can also get it in the southern regions of the United States. Aedes mosquitoes have also been identified as vectors of the Zika virus, a virus that is just starting to gain attention.
How can you control Aedes mosquitoes?
To control Aedes mosquitoes, you need to keep them from breeding. Like other types of mosquitoes, Aedes mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so you need to remove all sources of stagnant water from your property (both indoors and outdoors).
Stagnant water can hide in many places, but there are some very common locations that you should check first. Indoors, you may find stagnant water in containers (like buckets), flower pot plates, ornamental containers, plants and toilet bowls. Outdoors, you should check your garbage cans, perimeter drains and plants. Also, check your backyard for depressions in the ground that could allow puddles to form after a rainstorm.
Insecticides can also be used in conjunction with breeding site reduction. Insecticides that contain pyrethrins can be used for this purpose; pyrethrins work by attacking the mosquitoes' nerve systems. However, since pyrethrins are also dangerous to mammals (like dogs, cats and even people), make sure to follow the safety instructions on the package carefully.
If you're having trouble getting rid of Aedes mosquitoes on your own, hire a pest control company to help you.
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