Just because the weather in the Valley is now cool, don’t let your guard down when it comes to pesky mosquitoes. The Valley just experienced one of its hottest summers on record, and that could exasperate matters.
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There are many ways to control mosquitoes. The first thing to do would be to call an expert to do a full inspection of your home or business. Not all infestations are the same, therefore a thorough investigation needs to take place. However, due to the changing weather patterns, mosquito season in Arizona is a year-round problem. Mosquito treatments should be scheduled appropriately.
Many individuals think that because we live in the desert, we should not have mosquitoes, since they need water to survive, well with the excess amount of irrigation taking place in the Valley, they have more than enough to live.
Mosquitoes require water to breed. Adult mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant or slow-moving water. They also lay eggs on moist soil or leaf litter in areas likely to collect water. By eliminating these water sources, you can keep new generations of mosquitoes from taking up residence in your yard.
While most mosquito bites are harmless, the diseases they carry can be a risk. In Arizona, mosquitoes don’t have the same impact as they do in other countries. To prevent mosquito bites in the Valley, it’s important to take the following measures:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants;
- Use a mosquito repellent with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus;
- Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out;
- Remove standing water from your property, as it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
To control mosquito populations in the Valley, there are several things you can do:
- Eliminate standing water on your property, such as in bird baths, flower pots, and clogged gutters;
- Keep your swimming pool clean and well-maintained;
- Use larvicides, which kill mosquito larvae before they can grow into adults;
- Use adulticides, which kill adult mosquitoes.
Heavy vegetation, plant growth, and bushes provide ideal nesting areas for mosquitoes. These areas provide much-needed moisture and shelter from the Arizona sun, but also attract mosquitoes in cool weather. Addressing these areas is a critical first step in successful Mosquito Control Phoenix services.
Prior to beginning any Mosquito Control Phoenix service, it’s important to thoroughly inspect infested areas and beyond. Identifying/correcting conditions conducive can provide the consumer with longer protection and minimize the need for continued pesticide applications.
Maricopa County Environmental Services conducts year‐round surveillance and abatement of mosquitoes. The Vector Control Division at CimeX Control Pest Management deploys routine mosquito traps every week and additional complaint driven traps to collect the pests. Culex mosquitoes are tested for West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are tested for Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika viruses.
Author: Fernando Torres is the owner of CimeX Control Pest Management. For more information call (480) 364-7499 or visit cimexcontrol.com.
