Have you ever noticed that mosquitoes tend to be more abundant after the presence of a hurricane? That’s not by coincidence. It may sound odd, but the best time for mosquitoes to breed is in the wake of a recent hurricane. The experts at SWAT Mosquito Systems Tampa are here to teach you why this is the case and what you can do to help prevent it.
Why Mosquitoes Increase After a Hurricane
In case you didn’t know, mosquitoes can lay their eggs in stagnant water. They actually prefer it. But what does that have to do with hurricanes? Debris is usually tossed around during high winds, and rain tends to fall around the same time or after. What’s left behind are countless sources of standing water for mosquitoes to breed and lay their eggs. This is especially dangerous because even the smallest ounce of water is substantial enough to hold these eggs, which means mosquitoes can hatch from pretty much anywhere the eye can see. If it’s not taken care of, you could be seeing mosquito swarms in one or two weeks.
Learn more > How Hurricane Season Impacts the Mosquito Population
What You Can Do to Stop the Breeding Process
With the nearly endless sources of stagnant water lying around after a hurricane, it may seem impossible to stop mosquitoes from breeding. However, not all hope is lost. Below are some of the best ways to prevent the hatching of mosquitoes and to avoid mosquito bites.
Removing Stagnant Water
One of the best things you can do to stop future mosquito swarms is to remove any instances of standing water. Pay mind to items that can collect and hold rainfall such as trash can lids, planters, buckets, tires, and any garbage that may have swooped into your yard. Even the leaves in your trees and shrubs can hold water, in which case you can hose them off. Tending to stagnant water in your yard should be done at least once a week for efficiency.
Wear Covered Clothing
Spending a large amount of time outdoors for hurricane recovery tasks can leave you available to mosquitoes. You can protect yourself by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while you’re outside to cover skin that mosquitoes may target for their next blood meal.
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Keep Mosquitoes Out of the Home
No matter how inhabitable you make your yard for mosquitoes, they’ll be able to survive in your home if they happen to find their way inside. Be sure to proactively shut your windows and doors immediately so there’s less time for bugs to make a break for any openings.
Invest In a Mosquito Misting System
Hiring professional mosquito control services such as getting a mosquito misting system installed can reduce the number of active mosquitoes in your yard and make it easier to spend time outside for hurricane recovery activities. You are likely to see results after the first day of spraying, and more noticeable changes after one or two weeks which will prepare your home just in time for when mosquitoes typically hatch after a hurricane.
The Best Mosquito Misting Systems in Tampa
For a high-quality mosquito misting system that’s guaranteed to work or your money back, hire the professionals at SWAT Mosquito Systems Tampa! Call us today at (954) 437-1815 for more information about our services and to receive a free quote.