Florida summers are known for a lot of things, but one not-so-friendly guest the season brings is the mosquito. To prepare for the influx of these pests this month, Manning Brothers Pest Control is giving you the 101 on what to expect when mosquitoes come to town.
Fast facts about mosquitoes
Before diving into everything you need to know about mosquitoes, here are some quick facts provided by National Geographic:
Scientific name: Culicidae
Number of species: There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes around the world today
Type: Invertebrates
Diet: Carnivores
Why summertime?
Mosquitoes thrive on warm, wet weather. During the springtime when rainfall is more common and temperatures rise, mosquitoes repopulate by laying eggs in standing pools of water. By the time summer rolls around, those eggs have hatched and swarms grow. With so many documented mosquito species breeding, it’s only natural that the population seems excessive during peak months.
Protect yourself
Although some people attract mosquitoes more than others, it is still important to protect yourself from these disease-carrying bugs. Created by the U.S. Army over 60 years ago, DEET is still one of the most effective mosquito repellents on the market. According to WebMD, the best bug repellent is “OFF! Deep Woods,” which contains about 24% DEET and protects for an average of 5 hours.
In addition to bug repellent, make sure to wear long sleeve shirts and long, baggy pants to help protect from a pest infestation. Mosquitoes can easily bite through spandex, so ideally your clothing material should be thick.
For more information on mosquitos and how to avoid a mosquito infestation, contact our team of experts at Manning Brothers Pest Control.