Everyone knows how annoying mosquitoes can be. They show up out of nowhere and ruin even the most fun outdoor events. It doesn’t matter how great your tailgate, barbeque, graduation party, or wedding reception is, having mosquitoes show up will send people running inside or leave them covered with itchy, painful bites.
While you are trying to avoid painful mosquito bites, you may not take the time to notice that there are different species of mosquitoes in Katy. Two of the most common are the following:
- Aedes aegypti mosquito: This species is dark brown or black in color and has white scales on its thorax. They can survive without water for several months and are especially common in urban environments.
- Asian tiger mosquito: These mosquitoes get their name from the telltale black and white “tiger-stripe” pattern on their body. Asian tiger mosquitoes are different from other mosquitoes in that they move quickly and are more likely to bite during the daytime.
If you have questions about the mosquitoes on your property or need help identifying the species you are dealing with, call us. If you are worried about the different species of mosquitoes in Katy, the diseases they spread, and what can be done, call us at All-Safe Pest & Termite.
The Most Common Diseases Spread By Mosquitoes
As annoying as mosquitoes can be, their ability to ruin your time outside isn’t the biggest issue you face when these pests are around. Mosquitoes are known vectors for a variety of diseases. Two of the most common diseases caused by mosquitoes:
- West Nile virus: West Nile is the most common illness spread by mosquitoes in the United States. Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fortunately, only one out of five people who are infected by West Nile will develop any symptoms. For one out of every 150 people, West Nile will turn into a severe illness that can attack the central nervous system and take weeks or months to recover from. It can lead to death in rare cases.
- Zika virus: Usually thought of as a disease that you only get while traveling abroad, Zika virus is present inside the United States and in our area. Zika is typically not a serious illness, with symptoms including fever, rash, headache, joint pain, conjunctivitis, and muscle pain. Symptoms usually clear up within a week. Zika can be dangerous to unborn babies if their mother is infected.
These are the two most common illnesses spread by mosquitoes in the U.S., but there are others, including La Cross and St. Louis encephalitis viruses. These less common diseases have mild symptoms for most people, but in rare cases can be fatal. The La Cross encephalitis virus can cause brain damage and lead to death.
How To Protect Yourself From Dangerous Mosquitoes
As dangerous as mosquitoes are, you don’t want them around your home and family. One big step to keeping these pests away is to eliminate standing water on your property, which limits mosquitoes’ ability to breed.
Along with removing standing water, mosquito treatments from All-Safe Pest & Termite can help keep mosquitoes away. We use multiple treatments that are guaranteed effective. We will use backpack misters to treat any landscaped areas around your home as well as potential breeding sites. These mosquito treatments continue every 30 days during mosquito season. We also install the In2Care mosquito trap system. This system attracts and traps adult mosquitoes and is a great option for shady areas where they rest during the day.
Don’t let mosquitoes annoy you or jeopardize the health of your family. Call us today and let us get started on a mosquito control plan that keeps your family safe from painful bites and dangerous illnesses.