5 Facts About Mosquitoes in New England and How to Control Them

Being as small as they are, mosquitoes are a big nuisance when it comes to spending time outside.

That’s because people are typically aware that mosquitoes are not only annoying but dangerous, too. Since mosquitoes can carry and transmit dangerous diseases like West Nile and Zika, they’re a legitimate foe to worry about lurking in your yard. That can make it challenging to relax and have fun when you’re outside.

Unfortunately, mosquitoes also happen to be quite prevalent in New England. There are more than 50 species of mosquitoes that we’re aware of in Massachusetts and more than 40 in Maine and New Hampshire. 

That might be a fact you didn’t know. 

In this article, we’ll dive into more facts about mosquitoes that will help better educate you on these pests. The better you understand the mosquito, the better you’ll be able to deal with it. 

Let’s dive in!

Mosquitoes in New England: What You Ought to Know

These mosquito facts will help you have a better understanding of what you’re dealing with when it comes to mosquitoes in states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

#1: Not All Mosquitoes are a Threat to Your Health

As we mentioned, there are many different species of mosquitoes in the Northeast. However, some are more dangerous than others and not all are a threat to your health. 

Unfortunately, three of the more common types of mosquitoes in New England can carry disease. They include:

• Aedes Mosquito (can carry Zika, Yellow Fever, and Dengue Fever)
• Anopheles Mosquito (can carry Malaria)
• Culex Mosquito (can carry West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis)

Even if a mosquito is capable of carrying a disease does not mean it is. 

Many mosquito bites will only cause itching and irritation. And some species of mosquitoes don’t even carry disease. Others primarily only bite birds and/or reptiles and amphibians.

#2: Only Female Mosquitoes Bite to Suck Blood

Another mosquito fact that sometimes surprises people is that only female mosquitoes require blood. That’s because they need the fat and protein to produce their eggs (not for “food”). Male and female mosquitoes use plant nectars and juices as their food source.

Also, keep in mind that not all female mosquitoes will bite humans. 

As we mentioned above, mosquitoes tend to have preferences when it comes to their blood meal. Some mosquitoes prefer frogs, turtles, and birds over mammals. But some mosquitoes are less discriminate. These mosquitoes are troublesome as they can spread disease between animals and humans.

#3: Mosquitoes are Weak Fliers

This mosquito fact will be an important one to keep in mind as we get into how to treat for mosquitoes in New England.

While people tend to assume that mosquitoes are flying all over the place, that’s not the case at all. 

Mosquitoes only fly for short durations of time and are generally weak fliers so they do not fly far distances. If mosquitoes are finding what they need close by their hatching site, they’re unlikely to go far. 

People often think that mosquitoes are flying from many other properties to their yards, but that’s unlikely. Most mosquito problems originate on an individual’s actual property or from an adjacent neighbor’s yard.

#4: Mosquitoes Need Water

Another important mosquito fact is that they need water. Female mosquitoes will lay their eggs in stagnant water and then the new mosquito larvae will spend their first 10 days of life in the water.

A mere thimble-full of water is enough for mosquitoes to lay their eggs so even small sources can be a big problem.

Even so, it can make a difference to eliminate areas of standing water around your property. If you’re wondering why mosquitoes seem attracted to your property, standing water could be a part of the problem. 

Here are a few prime examples:

• Tarps
• Garbage and recycling cans (not covered)
• Wheelbarrows left in the yard
• Kids’ toys and buckets
• Flower pots or flower pot saucers
• Low spots in the yard or in your plant beds where water pools
• Watering cans
• Clogged gutters or areas where gutters drain

Any area of your property where water pools can become a mosquito breeding ground.

Unfortunately, the areas of standing water might be originating from a nearby neighbor’s home so even when you dump all standing water, you could still have trouble. This is why yard mosquito control is also important.

#5: Professional Mosquito Control is an Important Part of the Solution

Getting rid of areas of standing water, as we talked about above, is a really important step to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. But it’s not enough by itself. As we mentioned, it does not take much water for mosquitoes to lay eggs, so keeping up with dumping or draining areas of standing water can be challenging. 

Plus, standing water might be on an adjacent neighbor’s property and could be the source of mosquito problems. Often, there are many breeding sites.

For that reason, mosquito control products are also important. 

With professional mosquito control, a pro will target prime mosquito habitats with an effective product. Since mosquitoes are weak flyers (one of our mosquito facts), they do stop frequently to rest. That means that bushes and shrubs around the property are commonly hang-out spots for resting mosquitoes. These are the types of areas that we will treat with a mosquito control product that will kill them.

Keep in mind that this is not a “once-and-done” kind of service. A lot of people want to know when do mosquitoes come out in New England? Well, mosquitoes in New England are active between the early spring and the fall, so it’s important to cover that entire season.

Choosing Mosquito Control Services in Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern Maine

When you invest in professional protection, you are gaining valuable peace of mind that these pests won’t be a serious threat to your family. When you choose the right mosquito control service, you can also feel confident that you aren’t making a compromise with unsafe products or poor service.

At Seacoast Turf Care, we want to help put an end to what’s bugging you. We know that mosquitoes in New England are a huge source of frustration. But we’re here to help. We have effective control solutions that will help get rid of these pests.

When you make a wise choice, you’re taking an important step in protecting your family (including the furry, four-legged members). That means you can get back to enjoying time outside without all the worries.

Want to stop worrying about the danger of ticks and mosquitoes on your Southern NH, ME, or Northeastern Massachusetts property? Get tick and mosquito control pricing today.

Image Source: gutter