Which Areas are Prone to Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes can be more than just a nuisance – they can also cause serious diseases. Therefore, it makes sense to want to avoid areas that are prone to mosquitoes. Unfortunately, while there are some areas where you can be fairly certain to find mosquitoes, mosquitoes really can be found just about anywhere.
Mosquitoes need water to breed. Anywhere you find standing water, you’ll also find mosquitoes. The water source can be as small as a puddle in your backyard or as big as a local lake. Some mosquitoes breed in salt water, while others need fresh water to reproduce. Some mosquitoes even lay their eggs on damp ground and wait for a flood to occur to hatch the eggs. Traditional mosquito repellents can help protect you from these pests, but if you’e going to be out in the sun, you might want to try one of the newer products that combines an insect repellent with sunscreen.
If you need to avoid mosquitoes, stay away from wetlands, swamps, marshy land, creeks and rivers. Sometimes, all it takes is a small eddy to provide a place for mosquitoes to breed. Avoid areas where it looks like water has been standing, like a bird bath, an abandoned tire or a run-off ditch. Koi ponds aren’t usually a problem because any pond that’s stocked with fish will likely see the fish munching on mosquito eggs or larvae.
And when it comes to crowds, humans exhale carbon dioxide and release lactic acid when we exercise or eat certain foods. In fact, these two chemicals are used in many mosquito traps to attract mosquitoes. Anywhere you find people in large numbers – especially if they’re eating or sweating – you’ll find mosquitoes. Overall, this is less likely during the day – although there are some mosquitoes that like to be out and about during the day – and more likely at dawn and dusk.
Mosquitoes also like the smell of animals. In fact, most mosquitoes are more content to bite a smaller, more compliant mammal than to bite a human, where they’ll likely be swatted at. You’ll find some mosquitoes at the zoo, but if you have a pet dog, check out his dog house and you may be surprised at the number of mosquitoes you find.
Another draw for mosquitoes is sweet smells, like those found on flower and fruits. To avoid mosquitoes, stay away from outdoor flower beds and orchards. Avoid using products that smell sweet, like scented shampoo, body wash and perfume. There are certain flowers you can plant that mosquitoes specifically don’t like, including marigolds. If you want to be outside to enjoy your garden, think about including some of these plants to make it more hospitable.
Movement and color can also catch a mosquito’s eye. They like dark colors and dark foliage, so avoid those things to avoid mosquitoes. If you’ll be attending an outdoor concert at night, be sure to pack your repellent – the combination of the crowd, darkness and movement may make the event a virtual mosquito smorgasbord.
Using Natural Predators to Control Mosquitoes
Natural predators have a role to play in mosquito control, but by themselves, they probably won’t be able to control all of your mosquito population – especially if the population is exceptionally large, as may be the case after a hurricane or period of particularly hard rain. When there are high rates of mosquito borne diseases – West Nile Virus for example – you may want to pursue mosquito elimination more aggressively.
Unfortunately, while there are a number of anecdotal claims about the effectiveness of natural predators, there’s very little hard scientific evidence. In addition, the studies that do exist generally took place in a controlled environment which can’t accurately mimic natural conditions. And, of course, it would be difficult to measure changes in the number of mosquitoes living in any given section of nature – at least not with any type of scientific accuracy.
Still, natural predators certainly aren’t harmful and they’re likely beneficial to the local environment, so there’s no reason not to encourage predators known to prey upon mosquitoes. These natural predators are usually most effective in ponds and canals, where the habitat can support a wide variety of wildlife that feeds on insects.
Where there are bodies of water, the “mosquitofish”, or Gambusia affinis, is a good choice. This fish is a voracious predator when it comes to mosquitoes. In fact, it’s been said that they can consume from half to one and one half times their body weight each day in small invertebrates like the larvae of mosquitoes. The fish bears live young – up to three to six broods each season – with from 10 to 300 fry per broods. For this reason, a number of mosquito control districts have used this natural predator with great results.
Conversely, the ability of the purple martin to control mosquitoes has been greatly overestimated. Yes, these birds do eat mosquitoes, but they make up only three percent or less of the martin’s diet. Martins primarily feed during the day, which isn’t when most mosquitoes are most active. They also feed on other natural predators of mosquitoes, including dragonflies. Purple martins are a better choice if you have a problem with Japanese beetles.
The ability of the bat to control mosquitoes is often overestimated, as well. Bats will eat mosquitoes if they’re there, but they don’t generally go out of their way to seek them as a preferred food source. While they may not be the best choice for getting rid of mosquitoes, they do help control a number of other harmful pests, and are considered to be beneficial animals when they make their home in your yard or garden.
Dragonflies are another natural predator of the mosquito and while they consume their fair share, again, they don’t kill mosquitoes in numbers that will make a significant change in the local population. However, dragonflies remain in their aquatic larval stage for quite some time – up to six years – and during this time they can make a dent in the local population of mosquito larvae.