Mosquito Identification & Prevention

Tiger mosquitoes are one of several different mosquito varieties in our area. They are often also referred to as Asian tiger mosquitoes because they are an invasive species from Southeast Asia. Their geographical location of origin means they thrive in humid and warm environments, and they mostly infest the southeastern portion of the United States; Austin lies just within the boundary of their westernmost range. If you go a little further west, they cannot survive the arid climate.

Tiger mosquitoes earn their name because of their black and white striped pattern. You probably won't be able to notice this unless you look at them through a magnifying glass. They're so tiny they may look solid black or gray with the naked eye. The best option for mosquito control in Austin is to reach out to us at Aires Pest Control!

Thankfully, tiger mosquitoes don't transmit malaria in the U.S., the deadliest of all mosquito-borne illnesses. However, these mosquitoes do carry a battery of other serious pathogens that can put you in the hospital.

The most dangerous disease that U.S. mosquitoes carry is viral encephalitis. There are multiple forms of this illness that mosquitoes can spread to humans. Infections are rare, but they can happen, and they can be fatal. Other diseases spread by tiger mosquitoes include West Nile virus, Zika virus, and dengue fever.

As with all mosquitoes, tiger mosquitoes gravitate to your property for a host of different reasons. If you have pets or livestock, mosquitoes may be coming to feed on them. They may also come to call if you spend a lot of time outdoors without taking the proper precautions.

Aside from the chance of a blood meal, the main thing that attracts mosquitoes to your property is standing water. Mosquitoes need moisture in order to lay eggs and hatch larvae. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in the water, and the larvae live in it until they pupate and become capable of living in the air. If your property has a lot of stagnant water on or around it, mosquitoes will use it as a breeding site.

You can find mosquitoes just about anywhere on your property. They may be near standing water or in deep shade if the sun is still up. Of course, they'll also be buzzing around you and your pets if you're outdoors. You may also catch a stray one indoors, though mosquitoes are unlikely to breed inside.

Perhaps the question you should be asking is when you will find mosquitoes. No mosquito can handle direct sunlight. In the very deep woods, they may be out during the day, but the most common times you'll run across mosquitoes in your yard are near dawn and dusk.

Getting rid of any mosquito species is difficult, and there aren't a lot of ways to kill mosquitoes. Eliminating them is made more difficult if you have a breeding population on your property, as is the case when you cannot get rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed; this is the case for properties with ponds and lakes nearby. If mosquitoes constantly bite you every time you set foot outdoors, the best thing to do is call the experts here at Aries Pest Control.

Here at Aries Pest Control, our mosquito-killing tools allow these nasty little buggers to spell their own doom. Rather than killing right away, the insecticide takes a few days to take effect, allowing mosquitoes to spread it to others and their young before dying. This method of pest control in Austin is the only way to eliminate entire mosquito populations.

There are a few ways to repel mosquitoes if you don't have an active infestation. One of the best ways to make your property less attractive to mosquitoes is to eliminate all the areas where they could breed. Get rid of any standing water you find, and keep in mind this doesn't just include kiddie pools and bird baths. Standing water may collect in places you don't think to look, like outdoor planters and even toys. Anywhere rain can collect can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

You can also plant herbs and flowers that mosquitoes hate, including:

• Basil
• Citronella
• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Mint
• Rosemary

Having a lot of smells that mosquitoes can't stand around your yard can help encourage them to move on. But if even this doesn't work, don't hesitate to call us here at Aries Pest Control for home pest control services in Austin, TX. Let us protect you and your family from dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses.