Author: manage_mosquito_nix

Breed Facts

Mosquitos are the #1 carrier of infectious disease!

Culux Mosquito

• Also Known as the “House Mosquito”
• Most Common Mosquito in Texas
• Primary Carrier of the West Nile Virus
• Major Transporter of Encephalitis
• Single Female Can Lay 200 Eggs at A Time
• Most Active at Dusk & Dawn

Asian Tiger Mosquito

• Black With White Stripes
• Prolific Breeder and Aggressive Biter
• Common Vector of Heartworms to Animals
• Arrived From Asia In 1985 (Via Houston, Texas)
• 5-Times Harder to Kill Than Other Mosquitos
• Carrier of Yellow Fever, Encephalitis and Dengue Fever

Additional Information & Facts

Although the Center for Disease Control states mosquitos are responsible for more human deaths than any other living creatures due the vector-borne diseases they carry, they are typically viewed by the average person as simply a bad nuisance.

• More than 2,700 Species Worldwide
• 200 Species in the U.S.
• 55 Species in Texas

Mosquitos infect more than 500 million people each year with Malaria.

Illnesses & Threats

• Zika Virus
• West Nile Virus
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis
• Chikungunya
• Dengue Fever
• Heart Worms
• Malaria
• Yellow Fever

More Interesting Facts

• Only Female Mosquitos Bite
• Prefer Children Over Adults
• Prefer Blondes Over Brunettes
• 500 Times More Likely to Bite During Full Moon
• Prefer People Who Consume Bananas
• Attracted to Contrasting Colors

Flying and biting insects are a nuisance to every man, woman and child (and their pets) who long to enjoy the outdoors.

But what has been viewed traditionally as an annoyance has now become a serious and potentially life-threatening problem with the arrival of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus.

In In 2007, 3630 human West Nile Virus cases were reported. In fact, as of December 2007, human and avian/animal cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in 47 states:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. (Source: CDC.gov)

MOSQUITO BITES CAUSE INFECTION

The main route of human infection with West Nile Virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitos become infected when they feed on infected birds. The virus eventually gets into the mosquito’s salivary glands. During later blood meals (when mosquitos bite), the virus may be injected into humans and animals, where it can multiply and cause illness. (Source: CDC.gov)

A CONTINUOUS THREAT

Mosquitos can lay their eggs in even insignificantly measurable amounts of water, including fish ponds, bird baths, old tires, tin cans, lingering puddles of rain, guttering, catch basins, tree cavities or basically any place that can hold water. The eggs may hatch in less than 3 days, and the entire mosquito life cycle can be completed in 5-10 days. This means that the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses are a continuous threat that must be dealt with to keep your family safe.

NO PROTECTION LIKE MOSQUITONIX®

Mosquito and insect control products come in many shapes, sizes and forms. There are lotions, gels, pump sprays, candles, yard bombs, propane devices – literally thousands of different ways of attacking a backyard bug problem. But none of them really protect you from mosquitos and the diseases they carry like MosquitoNix’s mosquito mist system and monthly treatment program can.

Mosquitoes are not the kind of flying insect you want sticking around just to gaze at its marvelousness. They aren’t as cute as ladybugs, or intriguing like ants. Yet, they are very common, and understanding what makes a mosquito a mosquito provides insight into their behavior. Read on to find out some fun facts about mosquito anatomy.

Mosquitoes have three main body parts: head, thorax and abdomen.

Head and eyes.

The head is where the insect’s sensory activity happens. Mosquitoes have compound eyes, which are composed of numerous tiny lenses that give them a wide view of the world. It’s like having a wide-angle camera lens attached to both sides of your head. Their eyes have weaker vision than single-lens eyes (simple eyes), but this vast collection of lenses pick up a lot of motion, helping them fly away quickly before you can swat them.

Head and proboscis.

Female mosquitoes are able to take blood from you thanks to a long, needle-like tube called a proboscis. The proboscis contains six individual needles (covered by a protective sheath), and functions somewhat like an insect Swiss army knife. Two needles have sharp serrated edges for cutting into skin like a skilled surgeon, and two benign needles hold the others at bay during the operation. Next, she uses her probing needle to find choice blood vessels underneath the skin, and then uses the same needle to suck blood into her body. Lastly, there’s a needle that injects you with saliva and blood-flow stimulating chemicals, causing you to have an itchy allergic reaction.

Thorax.

This is the upper body of the mosquito where two wings and six delicate legs are attached. They use their large wings for seeking food and mates. Most spend their lives buzzing within a few hundred feet of their birthplace.

Abdomen.

Mosquitoes have long, narrow abdomens for digesting fluids. If you ever have the pleasure of watching a mosquito bite in action, you’ll see her translucent abdomen turn red as she feeds. To make room for as much blood as possible, they remove water from blood as they drink, squeezing it out the back of the abdomen in tiny droplets.

Do Mosquitoes Need Blood to Live?

Mosquitoes don’t need blood to survive, and they get plenty of nourishment from honeydew and plant sugars. Only females drink blood, and they do it to stock up on protein so they can make eggs. During her lifespan, a female mosquito may create hundreds of eggs.

How They Find You

Mosquitoes are equipped with sophisticated sensors that can hone in on you without you realizing it. One of their superpowers is the ability to smell human breath, and because you must breathe, there’s no way to stop them from detecting carbon dioxide with every exhale. Hiding is impossible because they use their mouth sensors to zoom in on your body heat. Mosquitoes have preferences, and the smell of your sweat determines whether you’re a yes or no on their dinner menu.

How to Get Rid of Mosquito Infestations

Now that you know more about mosquitoes, it’s time to consider what to do about them. Swarms of biting mosquitoes may be a nuisance and a health menace, but they’re no match for our experienced MosquitoNix® team. Contact us today for information about our remote-control automatic misters, and our superior hands-on mosquito control services.