About Panda Pest Mosquito Control
Arizona is home to over 40 species of mosquitoes, making them a common problem in Queen Creek and nearby towns. These disease-carrying insects thrive due to the warm and humid weather, making mosquito control in Queen Creek, AZ a necessity. Our services are particularly helpful from March through October when mosquitoes are most active. It’s during this time that the climate is just right for them to set up breeding grounds.
While our state has been lucky enough to not have as many reported casualties compared to other parts of the world, we don’t sleep on the fact that the risk of contracting an illness is still present when these insects are buzzing nearby. Mosquitoes may be just a mere nuisance to most but can be life-threatening to a few, which is more than enough reason for our team of local exterminators to continually deploy the best treatment methods, preventative measures, and exclusion techniques.
Whether you have an ongoing mosquito problem or prefer to have regular maintenance treatments for your home or business, trust that we at Panda Pest Control have the best non-toxic and eco-friendly options on this side of Arizona. Adding an extra barrier of protection for your loved ones starts today. Call us for a complimentary inspection!
Aedes Aegypti
Physical Appearance: The Aedes Aegypti is known for its white stripes on its abdomen and legs and its silvery scales. They grow to only be around 4 to 7 millimeters long, with females typically growing larger than males.
Habits: While this species is not native to Arizona, they have widely become one of the most common types of mosquitoes in the area, especially in urban settings. They are highly attracted to spaces that people frequent, and spotting them indoors more than out in the yard is a normal occurrence. They don’t typically fly long distances and like to keep their bodies low to the ground when traveling.
Reproduction: The lifespan of a female Aedes Aegypti only lasts around 2 to 4 weeks. Within this time, they typically only mate once but take several days to lay eggs, resulting in an average of three batches. Each batch consists of around 100 eggs and requires the mother mosquito to first feast on blood in order to develop. Once hatched, it takes a little over one week for all eggs to grow into adults. You can often find their eggs in tree holes or containers with water inside.
Primary Problem: The Aedes Aegypti is also known as the “Yellow Fever Mosquito” because it infamously transmits the yellow fever virus that can cause jaundice. They also have the potential to spread Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya viruses. Moreover, they are highly aggressive and relish biting humans, especially during the golden hour.
Tips for Prevention: Since this species loves to bite and actively seeks out humans for their next blood meal, it is imperative to take precautionary measures. Apart from using mosquito repellents and wearing clothing that covers your skin, hiring professional mosquito control experts to eliminate the existing population and apply exclusion tactics is highly recommended.
Culex
Physical Appearance: Culex mosquitoes are slightly bigger as they are on average 4-10mm in length. They are brown and slender with elongated legs and uniform-colored wings. Their most distinctive attribute is the two large hooks on each leg with soft adhesive pads in between.
Habits: Similar to the Aedes Aegypti, the Culex mosquito is not known to fly too far, mostly traveling only 2 miles at a time. They spend most of their days resting within structures and vegetation as they prefer to remain near humans. There are three different subspecies of Culex mosquitoes, each with slight differences but overall similar characteristics and habits. While they are all generally nocturnal, they are also known to bite during the day and are considered one of the main types of mosquitoes found in Arizona. The most recurring type is the Southern House Mosquito.
Reproduction: The longest recorded lifespan of all three Culex species was 32 full days. Within that time frame, one female is able to lay eggs every three nights and up to five rafts of eggs within their lifetime. Unlike other mosquitoes, the Culex lays eggs one at a time on top of fresh or stagnant water, expertly sticking them together using natural fluids to form a raft of at least 100 eggs. In some cases, a raft can expand to 300 eggs. The larvae are expected to emerge within 24 hours.
Primary Problem: As with other species, the Culex mosquito is considered to be a health concern due to the disease they can spread to humans and other animals. Examples include West Nile fever, Japanese encephalitis, and Avian Malaria, among others. They can also transmit parasites such as filaria, which causes elephantiasis.
Tips for Prevention: Because this species relies on stagnant water to lay eggs and expand its population, the best way to prevent their presence is to get rid of standing water in and around your property. This includes flowerpots, pool covers, empty tires, and the like. Our Queen Creek mosquito control team can also employ and suggest other exclusion methods for added protection.
Inland Floodwater Mosquitoes
Physical Appearance: Inland Floodwater Mosquitoes are medium in size and dark brown in color. They have white scales on their legs and abdomen, which are clearly seen against their dark bodies. Each leg also has narrow white bands on the tip.
Habits: Unlike the Yellow Fever or Culex Mosquito, the Inland Floodwater can fly long distances, even migrating over 10 miles from their original breeding grounds. While active all day long, they mostly love to prey on humans, birds, and small mammals during dawn and dusk. This species prefers to inhabit and breed in temporary pools of fresh water with an abundance of leaves such as ponds, puddles, ditches, or irrigation fields.
Reproduction: Inland Floodwater Mosquitoes lay their eggs one by one in moist soil right above the waterline. These eggs can remain inactive for up to three years when exposed to dry conditions. However, once the space is flooded, they hatch into larvae that feed on organic matter found within the water. This is where they get their namesake. Once full-grown adults, they can live up to six weeks on average, and three months at most given that they have a consistent source of food.
Primary Problem: This species is known to be aggressive biters. This characteristic doesn’t only make them a nuisance to Arizona natives but also a threat to one’s health if their bites trigger certain allergic reactions. When it comes to diseases, the risk to humans is relatively low but still present. This species often harbors viruses that mainly harm animals. Some diseases they can spread to your beloved pets and community critters include dog heartworm, Rift Valley fever, and myxomatosis. However, some diseases they potentially carry that harm humans include West Nile virus and Zika virus, among others.
Tips for Prevention: Since this species thrives in moist areas near water sources, it is best to eliminate the stagnant water found on your property. It would also help to check gutters and pipes for any leaks or clogs that lead to water retention.
How can our Queen Creek, AZwildlife removal experts serve you?
FAQs
Do all mosquitoes in Arizona carry disease?
No, not all species of mosquitoes in Arizona can transmit disease. Many are simply nuisance biters that are uncomfortable to have in your backyard. However, the most common types found in Queen Creek are known to be potential carriers, which is why we recommend regular mosquito control for indoor and outdoor areas.
What are the typical types of diseases mosquitoes can transmit?
The mosquitoes prevalent in Arizona typically spread viruses like dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and malaria. Though not as common, some Culex mosquitoes may also transmit the Saint Louis encephalitis virus, which results in the inflammation of the brain.
What months are mosquitoes most rampant in Arizona?
Although mosquitoes are present all year, they are most active during the months of March to October due to the weather being ideal for breeding. Once we hit November and temperatures drop, the climate shifts and makes it a bit too cool for most species. Because of this, mosquitoes tend to hibernate by burrowing and entering a dormant state in sheltered areas.
What do mosquitoes feast on?
Full-grown mosquitoes rely on nectar and juices from plants to sustain them. However, females of all species require blood to gather enough protein. This helps them develop their eggs, often only giving birth after they are able to extract blood from humans or other mammals.
How often should I hire expert mosquito control?
How often your property would require a professional mosquito control company depends on many factors such as the size of your area, the level of infestation, and whether or not it is the peak season for mosquitoes to breed. We generally require homes and businesses to seek mosquito treatments at least monthly during mosquito season, and bimonthly during their dormant period.
Can I eliminate mosquitoes myself?
There are multiple preventative measures homeowners can apply. However, if you have an existing infestation on your property or live near multiple sources of water, it can be too challenging to completely eliminate them and continually safeguard your space. Only through regular mosquito control treatments in Queen Creek, AZ can you guarantee a bite-free zone long-term.
Are mosquitoes attracted to light?
Mosquitoes may be interested in artificial light sources but these won’t make too much of an impact in trying to deter them. These insects are mostly attracted to the body heat and carbon dioxide that only humans and animals can transmit, which trumps any light source you can install in your home. Moreover, mosquitoes are said to prefer humans compared to animals because of their distinct smell and taste.
Do mosquitoes sleep?
Yes, mosquitoes sleep often. Depending on the species, mosquitoes like to take long periods of rest. They can sleep for most of the day unless disturbed and only prefer to fly when necessary such as when they are in search of food or a host to extract blood from.
Why are there mosquitoes in my home?
The primary reason mosquitoes are attracted to your property is the presence of standing water. These serve as an ideal spot for them to lay their eggs. Secondly, mosquitoes look for warm and dark spaces to rest and preserve their energy, making many areas of your home susceptible to dormant insects.
How fast can mosquitoes reproduce?
The speed at which mosquitoes can reproduce boils down to the type of species we’re looking at. Generally speaking, most females can lay over 100 eggs within two days of mating and often continue to lay hundreds more in the coming days. These eggs hatch within the next two days and mature in a little over a week. This cycle continues with the next generation.
The Mosquito Problem
Our weather conditions in Arizona are perfect for a picnic or a nice day by the pool. However, these temperatures are also ideal for mosquitoes to bite, feed, and breed in our areas. Though they start off small, these bites can quickly turn to red and itchy bumps that sometimes result in allergic reactions or worse, illnesses that leave you on bed rest for weeks.
You, your loved ones, and the community are put at risk each time one of these tiny pests decides to come too close. With our eco-friendly mosquito control in Queen Creek, AZ, we can guarantee a space where you can feel at ease once again.
