Just How Dangerous Are The Mosquitoes In Charlotte?

You are sitting on your porch on a clear summer evening outside your Charlotte home. Maybe your kids are playing in the yard, or you’re enjoying an ice cold glass of sweet tea on your rocking chair. Then suddenly, you hear an unmistakable buzzing and feel a bite on your arm. Just like that, your outdoor fun is over as you retreat to the safety of the indoors. But are mosquitoes just an annoyance with an itchy bite, or should you be more concerned about the dangers of mosquitoes in Charlotte? 

The 411 On Mosquitoes

The word mosquito can be translated as “little fly” in Spanish and Portuguese, and this is an accurate description of mosquitoes. They are no longer than a 1/2 inch and have six long legs. There are 3,500 species of mosquitoes globally, and they vary in color. They are typically black or grey and have white, green, or blue markings.

While some species of mosquitoes are more common in certain regions, you will find mosquitoes throughout the United States. They are particularly common in the south because of the climate and easy access to moisture. Mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid areas, so North Carolina's summer climate is ideal. Mosquitoes need water to breed, and their larvae can develop in pools of less than 1 inch in depth. Because of the summer rains, the area around Charlotte provides a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

A Deadly Pest?

But are mosquitoes really dangerous? Actually, yes; mosquitoes are considered one of the deadliest animals on the planet. Mosquitoes carry a variety of diseases that can be passed to humans or other animals. The most common mosquito-borne illnesses in the U.S. are West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and dengue fever, with Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus being the most common in North Carolina. Worldwide, the most common diseases spread by mosquitoes are yellow fever, malaria, and chikungunya.

According to the World Health Organization, over 1 million deaths a year can be attributed to mosquito bites, with most of those deaths related to malaria. In the United States, the CDC has almost entirely eliminated malaria, with only around 1500 cases annually.

Tips For Mosquito Prevention

With all the dangers that come with mosquitoes, you want to do everything you can to keep them away from your home and family. One of the biggest steps to controlling mosquitoes is to limit areas of standing water, since mosquito larvae need water to develop. Some places you should look include:

• Kiddie pools
• Birdbaths
• Pool covers
• Old tires
• Flowerpots

Aside from eliminating standing water, there are some other things you can do to protect yourself from mosquitoes:

• Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• If you are going to have outdoor gatherings, consider using outdoor fans to keep mosquitoes away, as mosquitoes are not strong flyers.
• If you are going to be outside at times when mosquitoes are active, wear long-sleeve shirts and pants to limit skin exposure to mosquitoes.
• Avoid mosquito attractors like perfume and dark clothes.

Call The Pros

If you are dealing with a mosquito problem, don’t risk any of the dangers that mosquitoes can bring; call Aruza Pest Control for all your mosquito problems. We'll come to your house and provide an inspection, where we will identify areas of your property that may be causing your mosquito issues. After that, we will set up a quarterly pest treatment plan that includes an inspection every time we return to your home. And you can feel confident knowing our work is backed by a money-back guarantee. Whether you are dealing with an active mosquito infestation or just want advice on how to protect your Charlotte home from mosquitoes, our friendly and well-trained technicians are here to help.