
Don’t let Mosquito Trapping ‘Fall’ Away
Mosquitoes, universally regarded as a summertime pest, are also known to thrive in the fall, transmitting a multitude of diseases in the process. In fact mosquitoes remain active until temperatures drop below 50 degrees; which isn’t until late fall in most regions of the United States. With summer winding down, don’t get caught out. Females lay their eggs every three days in standing water, and a single female mosquito can lay thousands of eggs during her life time. And those eggs can have a ‘shelf life’ of up to a year, before hatching. So those mosquitoes you leave buzzing around now are producing potential offspring that could be back to bite you come next spring.
Cold temperatures kill adult mosquitoes, including their larvae, however global warming is already having an impact, with the increase and spread of mosquito populations and mosquito-borne diseases being recorded worldwide. Just one bite is all it takes to transmit disease, so ongoing precautions are essential, especially in the fall.
Mosquito traps, when used in conjunction with other sensible mosquito control measures are one of the best ways to keep a yard clear of nuisance mosquitoes. While they won’t permanently eliminate mosquitoes in the area, and no responsible manufacturer should claim otherwise, when set up properly, just one or two mosquito traps can kill thousands of the little biters, significantly reducing the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) or any other mosquito-borne disease.
Bite Prevention the Best Protection against West Nile Virus
Carried by birds and spread by infected mosquitoes, WNV has killed hundreds of millions of birds and infected more than 29,000 people in the U.S. since the first reported outbreak there in 1999. Now over halfway through the 2009 West Nile season, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) thus far has reported 82 cases in 20 states and 3 confirmed fatalities. Unfortunately there’s no vaccine for West Nile virus – although research is currently underway to develop one. The CDC advises preventing the bite is the best protection.
Eliminate Potential Mosquito Nurseries
Getting rid of breeding sites around the home will help reduce the health risks associated with mosquitoes. They don’t need much; an inch or two of water that has collected in a child’s toy, a flowerpot, or an old tire. Stagnant pools, birdbaths and fountains are another mosquito favorite.
Mosquito Traps Kill Thousands
So to minimize your mosquito problem, for this season and the next, devise an effective mosquito control plan using the best available strategies, including mosquito traps. The effectiveness of mosquito traps does vary from brand to brand and location to location. Mega-Catch™ traps have been independently and scientifically tested and seem to be far superior to the rest at doing what they claim – effectively attracting and killing mosquitoes. As an added bonus they also deal to biting midges (no-see-ums) black flies and sand flies, all without the use of insecticides, fogs or sprays.