Mosquito Facts

• Name: The name mosquito comes from a Spanish word meaning “little fly”
• Species: There are over 3,000 different mosquito species throughout the world
• Size: Mosquitoes range in size but do not usually grow to be longer than 1.52 cm
• Appearance: Thin bodies made up of three sections and two wings

Mosquito Behavior

Mosquitoes are common pests that are found in many areas of the world. Many people believe that the reason mosquitoes bite humans is because they need to feed on human blood, but this is not true. Mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, similarly to bees. Female mosquitoes suck blood in order to help with the development of their eggs prior to laying them. Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood at all. Although mosquitoes can be very annoying to humans and at times dangerous because of their ability to carry and transmit diseases, they play an important role in the ecosystem because they serve as a food source for many organisms.

Mosquitoes are the most significant vector of disease in history and are responsible for more human deaths than any other animal. The mosquito is now breeding in new sites and readily adapting to urban life.

While the pest professional can significantly impact a mosquito population, it is not feasible to promise a customer that he will never again experience another mosquito bite, or that a customer or employee will never be infected with a mosquito-borne disease. With this control program, it is Truly Nolen’s goal to reduce the customer’s mosquito population by 75%.

INSPECTION begins with a customer interview, followed by a thorough visual inspection for pest IDENTIFICATION and DETERMINATION of a course of action. He focuses on a 100 foot radius from the bite site, searching for conditions conducive such as:

• Stagnant water – Uncirculated lake, pond, fountain, retention basin, etc.
• Moisture conditions – Tree wells & holes, flowerbeds, plant catch plates, rock holes, gutters, sprinkler heads, shady areas, etc.
• Resting sites – Vertical or inverted surfaces protected from the wind and providing higher levels of moisture, such as a patio area, the bottom of the leaves for dense vegetation next to a structure, under a building eave, etc.

The pest professional makes thorough notes of all findings and always invites the customer to participate in the inspection process. He then develops a graph and site plan that outlines his findings.

Exterior

• Resting Site Treatment Using a power sprayer with a fine droplet pattern, the technician applies a pyrethrum product to treat protected vertical/inverted surfaces, dense vegetation, etc.
• Light Site Treatment He treats post bite sites (within 4 meter of the bite zone) and up 1-2 meter from ground level using a micro-encapsulated pyrethrum product with a B&G or backpack sprayer.
• Moisture Area Treatment Options – Larvicide & Pupicide Application Options may be rotated to ensure the program’s success.
• Option #1 The tech applies small amounts of an IGR based granule with a bulb duster to areas where residual moisture collects in order to control larval development. Examples include tree holes, potted plant catch plates, gutters containing debris, sprinkler heads in low-lying areas, etc. Apply per label.
• Option #2 For suspected water breeding sites, the technician applies Agnique MMF in one or two areas of the standing water surface. A film rapidly spreads over the surface, which interrupts the critical air/water interface in the mosquito’s larval and pupal development cycle causing them to drown. Appropriate for ponds, lakes, retention basins, ditches, tree holes, ponds, potable water containers, etc. Apply per label.
• Option #3 For suspected water breeding sites. The technician uses pre-packaged dunks that float on the water’s surface. The dunk slowly disintegrates for consumption by the mosquito population, resulting in constipation and death. For suspected water breeding sites. Use per label.
• Programmable timed misting machine This device emits a measured amount of a non-residual pyrethrum based product (knock down aerosol) into the environment at specific, pre-programmed times to eliminate adult insects in the environment. Suitable for screened-in patio enclosures, garages, workshops, etc.