Mosquito FAQs in Fairfax, VA; How Do You Stop Mosquitoes from Biting? How Much Water Do They Need to Breed & More
Mosquitoes are definitely a problem in Virginia. Locals are often asking experts questions regarding these hazardous insects. To help clear up some confusion, we at CSI Home & Commercial Services would like to answer a handful of the most frequently asked questions regarding mosquitoes in Virginia.
How Do I Prevent Mosquito Bites
Asian tiger mosquitoes are likely the culprit when Virginia citizens complain about being bitten by daytime biting mosquitoes. In VA, Asian tiger mosquitoes are one of the most common and widespread. They bite only during the daytime, from sunup to sundown. If the area is illuminated adequately outside, or if they get inside buildings, they will bite in the evening hours. These mosquitoes breed in tree holes or containers, and do not breed in puddles, ditches or ground pools like many other species. Eliminate all standing water in containers on your property to deter Asian tiger mosquitoes from lingering on your property. Replace the water in birdbaths and wading pools every week.
Do Mosquitoes Need Standing Water to Breed?
There are some mosquitoes in the area that might be a species that breeds in puddles, roadside ditches, or storm-water management basins. Very few of the mosquito species in Virginia that bite during daylight hours comes from roadside ditches or puddles.
Do Mosquito Species Display Different Behavior?
Being usually cautious and sneaky, Asian mosquitoes are persistent biters. They bite only when people are standing relatively still or moving slowly and will flit away in response to a sudden movement usually. In places where they are less likely to be noticed, is where they tend to bite, such as ankles, legs and backs or undersides of arms. Even when that person is walking, many of the woodland pool species are fairly aggressive and will try to bite a person on the head, face or upper body. As very aggressive biters that will try to bite a person even as the person is running or waving a broom at the mosquitoes are both dark rice-field mosquitoes and salt marsh mosquitoes.
Is Flowing Water a Breeding Ground for Mosquitoes?
A water flowing ditch is not likely to produce any mosquitoes. If the water has no flow, or water that is stagnant, could be an important source of mosquitoes. Generally, water that stands for less than a week it will not breed mosquitoes. Only the dark rice-field mosquito can complete its aquatic life cycle in less than seven days. This mosquito is not very common in the area and would probably not lay eggs in a puddle that would dry up so quickly. To complete their development, most mosquito species require standing water for a minimum of 10 to 14 days. You should not be concerned by puddles that stand for less than a week.
Do Mosquitoes Live & Breed in Trees?
If the water stands in the holes longer than a week, the holes left by root balls may provide breeding habitat for mosquitoes. Providing ideal habitat for mosquitoes to breed, standing water and organic matter, like decaying leaves. Use topsoil to fill in the holes and holes drained within a week are not a risk.
Mosquito Control
If you are having an issue with mosquitoes on your Virginia property, call CSI Home & Commercial Services and let our experts assist you!
