Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are members of the same insect order as flies and gnats. They are 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in length, with a round head and slim body. Mosquitos are pale brown with white stripes across their abdomen. They have a long proboscis that they use to eat.

Both female and male mosquitoes feed on the sugars from plants, nectar, and honeydew. However, it is only the female that delivers the “bite” that we associate with mosquitoes. The female needs protein from blood in order to produce her eggs. Female mosquito mouthparts are needle-like to pierce the skin, while male mouthparts are softer and more feather-like.

Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?

Mosquitoes are very dangerous to humans because of the diseases that they can spread. One such disease is West Nile virus, which spreads by mosquitoes biting infected birds and then spreading the virus to humans. Mosquitoes have also been known to spread many other dangerous mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and Zika virus.  

For more information about the Zika virus in Tennessee, visit the Zika virus page of the Tennessee Department of Health's website. For information regarding the Zika virus in the United States, click here to go to the Zika virus section of the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) website.

Many mosquito-borne diseases cause flu-like symptoms that a healthy adult can fight off on their own. However, some diseases can cause more serious symptoms and some people can react more severely, especially if they are immune-compromised, or are very young or elderly. In extremely rare cases, a mosquito-borne disease can lead to complications that end in death.

The Anatomy Of A Mosquito Bite

Female mosquitoes require a blood meal in order to produce eggs. They use their mouthparts to pierce the skin, then inject saliva that contains an anticoagulant to prevent the blood from clotting. This anticoagulant is what makes a mosquito bite itch. 

After they’ve had their blood meal, mosquitoes will lay their eggs in shallow, stagnant water. If the conditions are right, these eggs can hatch within 48 hours and mature into adults between four and 14 days later. 

When Is Mosquito Season In Tennessee?

Mosquito season can vary from year to year in Tennessee, depending on the weather. Mosquitoes are active in temperatures above 50 degrees, so if warm weather occurs earlier than usual or if it stays warm later into the fall than normal, mosquito season will last longer. On the other hand, if we have a particularly cold spring or fall, we may see a shorter than usual mosquito season.

What Causes Mosquitoes?

If your property has areas with standing water, such as ponds, wading pools, or artificial containers, you have the perfect breeding environment for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes live outdoors and the adults like to hide in areas of high grass, bushes, or other shaded areas during the heat of the day.

How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

At All-American Pest Control, we offer our mosquito reduction services for Nashville homes. To learn more about pest control services for mosquitoes, or to find out how we can help you combat mosquitoes in your commercial establishment, please contact us today.

In the meantime, eliminating standing water on your property and trimming back foliage can help you reduce the number of mosquitoes you have to deal with when you go outdoors.