Yellow Fever Mosquito

Mosquitoes in Dallas

There are about 200 different species of mosquitoes found throughout the United States, with habitats ranging from deserts at or below sea level to mountains with elevations of 10,000 feet or higher. Mosquitoes pose a greater threat to human health than any other animal. They are an annoyance because of the itchy bites they leave, and they can also transmit many dangerous diseases like malaria, West Nile, and Zika. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquito bites result in the deaths of more than 1 million people every year, with the majority of these deaths due to malaria.

Mosquito habitat

Mosquitoes only need a half inch of stagnant or slow-moving water to lay eggs in, so they are commonly found around marshes and lakes. In your yard, mosquitoes can breed in kiddie pools, metal buckets, flower pots, or any object that collects rainwater or excess water from irrigation systems. To help prevent mosquitoes, you should regularly check your property for containers that could be collecting water as these provide a safe harbor for mosquito populations to breed and grow.

Mosquito behaviors, threats, & dangers

Many people and animals are bitten by mosquitoes with no side effects except for the typical itchy welt, however mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases. Most people infected with mosquito-transmitted viruses show no symptoms or only mild, flu-like symptoms that may not result in a visit to the doctor. However, severe symptoms following an infection do occur in a small percentage of people. It’s important to contact your doctor immediately if you do experience severe symptoms. Also, mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting heartworm disease in dogs.

Mosquitoes can be dangerous, which is why it’s so important to contact a professional mosquito exterminator for exclusion and control services to protect your Dallas property.