What Everyone In Port St. Lucie Should Know About Mosquitoes
When it comes to the pest world, mosquitoes are quite common. They swarm, they bite, and then the discomfort begins. Many of us are all too familiar with the incessant itching and scratching that can last for days.
Mosquitoes are found throughout the United States, thriving in tropical environments, marshes, and wetlands. The humid Port St. Lucie, Florida climate is a perfect habitat for mosquito breeding grounds.
In many ways, mosquito infestations have become normalized. Homeowners tend to disregard them, as they are generally considered an insignificant threat. This couldn’t be further from the truth; mosquitoes present much more than a mere nuisance to humans.
There are more than 3,000 mosquito species in the world, with several common traits. Mosquitos have narrow, oval-shaped bodies with long legs, antennae, and two wings that are covered in scales.
Mosquitoes are commonly found near their breeding grounds. Some species gravitate towards standing water sources, while others prefer land that is regularly saturated. There is usually a noticeable increase in mosquito activity during the wetter rain and hurricane seasons.
Small Pests Can Deliver Some Of The Deadliest Threats
Although they may seem like just a nuisance, the dangers associated with mosquitoes in Port St. Lucie are very real. They spread deadly diseases that can affect humans and their household pets. Each year, roughly 700 million people worldwide fall ill to diseases contracted from mosquitoes. While many people recover, more than one million of them do not survive.
An estimated 219 million cases of malaria are reported worldwide, resulting in more than 400,000 deaths per year. Malaria presents itself with flu-like symptoms. Without treatment, symptoms can progress into mental confusion, seizures, kidney failure, coma, and death.
More than 96 million cases of dengue are reported each year, resulting in an estimated 40,000 deaths per year. Dengue starts with a headache, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pain, and a rash.
Failure to treat dengue can lead to abdominal pain, increased vomiting, difficulty breathing, clammy skin, and hemorrhagic fever, causing bleeding of the gums and nose, as well as bloody urine.
Yellow fever symptoms start with a headache, loss of appetite, fever, chills, nausea, and muscle pain. In many cases, symptoms improve within five days. In the worst-case scenario, yellow fever can lead to hemorrhagic fever. Roughly 30,000 people die each year from yellow fever.
Zika virus tends to present mild symptoms if any at all. Typical symptoms include headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, and a rash. Since most people don’t experience or recognize the symptoms, many cases are left unreported.
Unborn children of pregnant women are most susceptible to the risks associated with Zika virus. If left untreated, it can cause life-long health conditions, including microcephaly and Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Chikungunya symptoms include headaches, fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and a rash. Although fatality is rare with this disease, it has been known to occur in severe cases. In general, most cases will improve within a week or so. However, joint pain has been known to linger for months or even years.
Another mosquito-borne disease to be aware of is the West Nile virus. Symptoms include headaches, disorientation, tremors, muscle weakness, and high fever. Severe cases can lead to loss of vision, convulsions, numbness, and paralysis.
If any of these symptoms begin to present themselves in the days following a mosquito bite, it is advised that you schedule a check-up with your doctor to assess your risk.
Instead of waiting for a serious issue to arise, eliminate your mosquito problems and concerns with one simple solution. Hire an experienced mosquito control service for your Port St. Lucie home.
Mosquito Prevention
Prevention is the best form of protection. Removing factors that attract mosquitoes to your property will help reduce the risks they present:
Eliminate standing water sources on your property, including overturned items such as children’s toys and trash lids. Fill in puddles with soil, and low-lying areas of your driveway with gravel.
Homeowners with swimming pools should make sure to properly keep up on maintenance.
Regularly clean gutters of debris and make sure they are in good working order.
Keep lawn and vegetation well-trimmed to avoid resting spots for mosquitoes on your property.
Add mosquito-repelling plants to your property, including marigolds, lemon balm, garlic, and basil.
Install or repair screens in doors and windows where necessary.
Wear insect repellent during outdoor activities.
When you are out and about away from your home, there are some additional precautions you can take to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes:
Avoid moist areas where breeding sites will be swarming with mosquitoes, including swamps and marshlands.
Be prepared for increased mosquito encounters during dusk and dawn when most species are at their peak activity.
Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Light colors, loose clothing, and thicker materials help identify and prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are well-known for biting through thin clothing or clothing pressed close to the skin.
Always wear mosquito repellent when spending time outdoors on your property or away from your home.
Preventive measures will help keep mosquito populations at bay, but there is only one way to guarantee a mosquito-free property: call in the professionals
Successful Mosquito Control
Native Pest Management is a family-owned and -operated pest control company that has been serving the South Florida area since 2015. As third-generation locals, our family is familiar with the many pests that are native to our community.
We provide eco-friendly solutions that are just as safe as they are effective. Our goal is to ensure the health and safety of your loved ones with a pest-free guarantee. As winners of the 2021 Better Business Bureau's Torch Award for Ethics and as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company in the United States for two years in a row, we are so confident in our mosquito control programs that if any follow-up treatments are needed, they will be free of charge.
Our approach to mosquito control consists of monthly mosquito misting and the application of biorational larvicides to standing water sources around your property. These treatments are harmless to pets, humans, fish, and birds, but deadly and efficient when it comes to Port St. Lucie mosquito control.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation quote.
