We live in the information age. We have more knowledge at the click of a mouse than any generation. When we have a question, we turn on the computer or grab our phone to watch a video or read an article. When we read reports, we like bullet points because we live busy lives and want quick answers. So, if you are looking for tips and bullet points regarding mosquitoes, you have come to the right place.

When mosquitoes invade our Orange County properties, we want to know if a company offers mosquito control in Orange County, and the good news is that there is. After years of working in the pest control industry, Ian Morgan launched HomeShield Pest Control in 2009. Ian and his growing team focus on using the safest products, providing high-quality treatments, and solving customer problems. We are proud to have a five-star Google rating from over 2,500 customer reviews. Based on positive feedback from thousands of satisfied customers, you can rest assured that we will solve the mosquito problem around your Orange County home.

We know you found this article looking for quick tips and information to help you stop the mosquito infestation on your property. While we will provide some bullet points, it is necessary to understand some additional information, so please keep reading.

Understanding Mosquito Behavior: Essential For Effective Control

We have all heard the annoying sounds of buzzing mosquitoes in our ears, but most of us don't know much about these pests, so here is some pertinent information. Mosquitos are flying insects with six long legs; they have a 1/4 to 3/8-inch most gray body with iridescent white, silver, green, or blue scales. You may be surprised that mosquitoes are not parasites like bed bugs, fleas, or ticks that require blood to survive. The everyday diet of mosquitoes is plant juices and nectar, not blood.

Why do mosquitoes in Orange County bitey if they don't need blood? Mosquitoes draw blood for egg production; only the female mosquitoes attack people or animals. Only female mosquitoes have mouthparts capable of piercing skin; males cannot penetrate human or animal skin.

A fertilized female needs protein, amino acids, iron, and other blood-based nutrients to produce eggs. Upon fertilization, the mosquito flies to find a host. Using the sensors on its two antennae, it buzzes around until it detects carbon dioxide, body heat, skin odor, or perspiration. Once it finds a host, it lands and uses the claws on each of its six feet to anchor itself while it uses a complicated mouthpart known as a proboscis to penetrate the skin.

Once it pierces the skin, it injects saliva into its host. The saliva contains an anti-coagulate to promote blood flow, and it has an anti-histamine, which temporarily suppresses the immune system's response, thus allowing the mosquito to get its fill of blood before you notice it is feasting on you.

After it receives its blood requirement, the mosquito detaches and searches for a location to deposit its eggs. Because mosquito offspring need water and food, it places the eggs at the edge of water in the soil right about the water line or, in some cases, in the water. Mosquitoes often put their eggs around ponds, lakes, and marshes. In urban settings, mosquitoes deposit eggs in bird baths, potted plants, poorly draining ditches, puddles, retention ponds, and water-collecting containers in yards. Mosquitoes will leave their eggs wherever there is stagnant water.

Eggs exposed to water hatch within a few days, and larvae emerge. The larva, known as "wigglers," feed on organic plant matter in the stale as they progress into the pupa stage. When they reach this phase, each creates a cocoon that floats on the water and tumbles beneath the surface when there is a disturbance. After a few days or weeks, depending upon the temperature and weather conditions, the mosquito emerges from its cocoon and uses it as a raft while its wings harden. Once its wings are ready, the mosquito flies away to mate and, if it is a female, to find its first host.

The culex mosquito species is common in our area and throughout the country and is active at dusk and dawn. Although more prevalent in southern states, the Asian tiger "Aedes" mosquito is also in Orange County. These mosquitoes have a 1/8-inch body white and black striped body and legs. Unlike culex mosquitoes, Asian tiger mosquitoes are active during the day.

The professional mosquito control service from HomeShield Pest Control is there for whatever mosquito species invades your Orange County home.

a hungry mosquito up close

Mosquito-Borne Diseases: How These Insects Pose A Serious Danger

Worldwide, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal. Each year, mosquito-borne illnesses kill over 700,000 people around the world. While most of these deaths occur outside the United States, mosquitoes are still a threat within our country. What makes these pests so deadly?

When a mosquito ingests a host's blood, it also consumes bacteria, viruses, or parasitic worms that are present. Along with the essential nutrients it needs for egg production, the mosquito filters out water and retains the disease-causing pathogens. Eventually, the bacteria, viruses, and parasitic worms migrate to the mosquitoe's saliva glands, and the mosquito injects them into a host the next time it feeds, spreading the disease.

Culex and Asian tiger mosquitoes are vectors for the following diseases:

  • West Nile virus

  • Dengue

  • Chikungunya

  • Encephalitis

  • Tularemia 

You may wonder why the Zika virus, malaria, and yellow fever are not on our list. The reason is mosquitoes in the United States seldom, if ever, spread these diseases. Most cases occur in individuals who travel overseas and develop symptoms after they return to the States. Of the infections on our list, the one with the most media attention nowadays is the West Nile virus. 

Like most diseases caused by mosquitoes, the West Nile virus does not cause symptoms in most people (about eight out of ten). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about one in five people who experience a reaction develop fever, headache, muscle weakness, and tremors from a West Nile infection. Even a smaller number (about one in 150) develop severe symptoms, usually in those over 60 years with certain medical conditions. Although rare, less than 1% will succumb to the illness and pass away.

HomeShield Pest Control can help protect your family against these potentially harmful pests.

Preventing Bites: Natural Ways To Repel Mosquitoes

We live in a beautiful part of the country, and no one wants to stay couped up indoors because of mosquitoes. Because we live in a little piece of paradise, we don't want to damage it with unnecessary chemicals.

While we have mosquitoes in southern California, you can implement the following natural ways to minimize mosquito exposure when outdoors:

  • Provide drainage to ditches, puddles, and low-lying spots.

  • Clean out the gutters. 

  • Change bird bath water frequently.

  • Remove water-collecting debris from the property.

  • Create drainage for potted plants and air conditioning trays.

  • Apply crushed lavender flowers to your body.

  • Burn thyme leaves in the area while you relax in the yard.

  • Light citronella candles around the location.

  • Use lemongrass, citronella, lavender, and other essential oils for mosquitoes.

  • Plant catnip around the yard.

While we cannot vouch for the effectiveness of each plant-based suggestion, eliminating standing water will deter mosquitoes from breeding on your property and impact the mosquito population around your Orange County home.

When a service technician from HomeShield Pest Control inspects your property, we can provide additional suggestions based on your location.

Professional Mosquito Control: A Smart Idea For Your Property

Although you should take steps to deter future mosquitoes from entering your property, you need to end the current infestation by using mosquito control near you from HomeShield Pest Control. We will dispatch a service technician to your home to inspect your property for attractants (i.e., standing water, high-moisture areas, etc.) and mosquito breeding grounds. Using a backpack sprayer, we will precisely apply the product to probable breeding locations (trees, shrubs, and overgrowth). Our product repels future mosquitoes and destroys the ones occupying those areas.

We provide our mosquito fogging service during peak mosquito season in California. Due to our climate, mosquitoes can be an issue year-round, so if you want maximum protection, we can strategically install mosquito traps around the property. 

These bait stations contain a patented product developed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation consisting of two components. Each unit uses stagnant water to attract egg-laying female mosquitoes. When they enter, they land on a negatively charged netting and drop their eggs into the water, which contains a biological control agent. When the eggs hatch, the emerging larvae die when they consume the weaponized liquid.

When a mosquito flies, it generates a positive charge. When they land, their body attracts the negatively charged EPA-approved biological fungus on the net. This fungus prevents virus development, weakens the mosquito, and kills it before it can spread diseases; however, it does not immediately destroy the insect before the mosquito has passed on the fungus to other mosquitoes.

According to a CDC report, California has the highest number of mosquito-transmitted diseases in the nation. For that reason, among many others, you need protection from HomeShield Pest Control. Contact us today to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Orange County, and to request your free quote.