Mosquitoes are a constant nuisance for residents and businesses of Arizona. These small insects fly around and eat sugar and nectar. Females suck blood from humans to provide nutrients to their young, causing itchy bumps to form and possibly spreading disease.

They congregate in long grass and are attracted to bright colors and smells. Mosquitoes annoy customers, homeowners, and families alike, are a huge detriment to any business, and a health risk to everyone.

Mosquitoes spread diseases like the West Nile Virus, breed eight months out of the year, and are hard to prevent completely without the help of a pest-control specialist.

When Mosquitoes are Most Active

Mosquito season in Arizona stretches from early March to mid-to-late October. Taking up eight months of the year, their breeding season doesn’t end there. The remaining four winter months usually have enough mosquitoes breeding that they never really stop.

Mosquitoes are also the most active around dawn and dusk and are more active on nights with a full moon. If you have to go out at these times, make sure you bring bug repellent approved by EPA.

Current Mosquito Population

2021 has been one of the worst years for mosquitoes since the Arizona Department of Health Services began collecting data in 2004.

The monsoon season was wet and provided mosquitoes with plenty of breeding grounds for them to multiply. Maricopa County saw a surge in West Nile Virus and mosquitoes alike, the biggest outbreak since 2004.

The risk of other diseases spread by mosquitoes is higher as well. The severity of the diseases also seems more drastic than in previous years.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Not only can mosquitoes be an annoyance as they hover around your head or buzz in your ears, they can also cause health issues.

Eight out of ten people have no symptoms when they contract the West Nile Virus however the disease can cause flu-like symptoms, and weariness and fatigue months after. In the worst cases, the West Nile Virus can damage the nervous system and brain tissue.

And while the West Nile Virus is the most prolific of the mosquito-borne diseases in Arizona, you also need to watch for St. Louis encephalitis, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. Ultimately, a mosquito bite is not to be taken lightly, and if you express flu-like symptoms shortly after being bitten, it may be a good idea to see the doctor.

How to Prevent Mosquitoes

There are a few easy ways to reduce and prevent the amount of mosquitoes in and around your property.

Remove standing pools of water that last more than three days. Wear bug repellant and ensure all your window and door screens are intact. However, you are unlikely to get rid of them completely. While you can get rid of breeding grounds around your own home, there will no doubt be something nearby the mosquitoes can breed in, whether it’s a neighbor’s kiddie pool, a nearby water source, or puddles that congregate on the street.

The best way to prevent mosquitoes is to call SOS Exterminating and we can use our patented ATSD method to stop mosquitoes from biting for good. We can also treat standing water sources to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and keep your home or business mosquito-free.

Call SOS Today

If you want to fully protect your home or business from the annoyances and dangers of the mosquito population, it’s essential to have a good pest control specialist.

SOS Exterminating has exclusive rights to ATSB, a pest control substance so safe, it doesn’t even need approval from the EPA. ATSB or Attractive Targeted Sugar Bait has no harmful substances and works by making mosquitoes feel too sick to bite humans.

This product is ideal for homes and businesses with outdoor areas, where completely preventing mosquitoes is impossible. Contact us today at 480-571-1473 for your mosquito inspection.