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There are over 150 species of mosquitoes in the United States. Some are able to fully develop from eggs in less than a week. Most take 10-14 days to reach maturity but what is important is they grow rapidly. Mosquitoes need water and high levels of moisture to sustain themselves. Although female mosquitoes may live for up to a year, most die in the season they were born. Mosquito populations are able to continue from year to year because one stage is able to over winter and start their cycle again the next spring. It may be the adult, the pupa, the larva or the egg which is needed. Each species has different winter survivors. Some adult females don't need a blood meal to begin to reproduce. In general, male mosquitoes live a short time. Most mosquitoes lay several hundred eggs and are able to generate huge populations within a short period of time. Although standing water is the prime location for them to reproduce, there are many locations around the home that afford fertile egg laying areas. Such places include water in the bottom of planters, drainage streams, street sewers which don't drain completely, rain barrels, buckets of water, swimming pools, drain lines from rain gutters, old tires, mulch around the home, shrubs, trees, firewood, slow moving water, small decorative ponds for pet fish, bird baths, water accumulating around windows or doors, water accumulating from an automatic sprinkler system, pet water dishes, leaks around water spickets and just about anywhere water is used or is able to accumulate during the warm summer months any where in the country. Mosquitoes need water to reproduce. They will readily move to moist, shady areas under decks, around pools, in garages, in dense shrubbery or flowers, any kind of ivy, holes or nooks of trees, water in a clogged rain gutter or simply the water on a leaf of shrubs which are being watered during the hot summer months.
Most people believe mosquitoes are coming from great distances to their yard in search of food. In fact, most mosquitoes migrate to a yard first and foremost because there is something about the yard which the mosquito finds attractive for living. In most cases, mosquitoes are finding a great place to live around the home and then take advantage of the free meals the homeowner or their children present when outside in the yard. Mosquitoes don't migrate far from where they will find shelter and protection from the hot sun. Shade and moisture are two ingredients needed for their survival and can be found around any home. If your home is on a lake or pond, the mosquitoes could be breeding in the water. Generally, they will do so close to shore. Don't expect to find them more than 10 feet from shore. They like shallow water and will keep themselves close to plant life and wet lands if possible. Open deep water which is moving is not the kind of water they like for reproduction.
The Village of Round Lake Beach is using larvacides. These are products which kill the larva of mosquitoes as they develop. They are usually applied to catch basins where mosquitoes are breeding. This is done 3 times a year.Another method which is used by the Village for mosquito control is called spraying, which targets adult mosquitos. Adulticiding kills only mosquitoes that contact insecticide droplets; the fog soon dissipates. Although the local mosquito population is reduced for a few days, fogging does not prevent mosquitoes from re-entering the area. Adulticiding for adult mosquitoes is conducted only at the proper time (evening or early morning) and under appropriate environmental conditions (such as temperatures from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and low wind speeds). Here is what you can do to prevent mosquito bites:- Get rid of any water holding containers ( bottles, buckets etc)- Cover trash containers to keep out rainwater.- Change the water in birdbaths and plant pots or drip trays at least once each week- Repair window screens- When outdoors in the evening or when mosquitoes are biting, use personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites (proper use of insect repellent and appropriate clothing.
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