Mosquitoes

A recent national report ranked Charlotte the ninth worst city in the country for mosquitoes. We can help! Black Pest Prevention, Inc. is a Charlotte, NC based mosquito exterminator specializing in residential mosquito control. Black Pest Prevention, Inc. can greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes invading your yard.

Asian Tiger Mosquito

The Asian Tiger mosquito that’s commonly found in North and South Carolina is capable of transmitting the virus Chikungunya, an illness caused by a virus spread through its bites. The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Chikungunya disease rarely results in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling. Most people who get sick feel better within a week. In some people, the joint pain may last for months or years. This mosquito also spreads dog heart-worm. Health experts say the key to prevention is reducing breeding grounds for mosquitoes and protecting yourself.

The Asian tiger mosquito does not breed in swamps or other wet natural habitats. This mosquito breeds in artificial containers such as rain gutters, bird baths, flower pots, tires, barrels, boats, tarps, cans, and garden pools. They can also breed in tree holes and other natural reservoirs that hold water. They feed mainly during daylight hours, making them a major urban pest for gardeners and other people working or playing outside.

Southern House Mosquito

The Southern House Mosquito thrives in the sub-tropical climate found in the Carolinas. During the day, it may be seen resting indoors on walls, underneath furniture, hanging clothes in dark corners, or in closets/wardrobes/cupboards. They usually attack humans towards the middle of the night both indoors and outdoors.

It breeds profusely in standing dirty water. Eliminate or empty containers where it can breed. Change water in troughs and pet water dishes regularly. In optimum temperature and humidity, the lifecycle will be completed in seven days, passing through the egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages.

Anopheles Mosquito

The female Anopheles mosquito or the malaria mosquito is the only mosquito that transmits malaria. She primarily bites between the hours of 9pm and 5am. Malarial mosquitoes helped defeat the British in the battle that ended the Revolutionary War. As one German visitor put it, “Carolina in the spring is a paradise, in the summer a hell and in the autumn a hospital.” During the late 18th and 19th centuries in South Carolina, especially around Charleston, the mortality rate was so high that less than 20% reached their 20th birthday. Fortunately malaria is rare today.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water. So the first, most important step in controlling them is to find all the places where water can accumulate on your property and eliminate it. Clear out weeds, leaves, dirt, and other debris around your home.

If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, apply a mosquito repellant. DEET is the most effective insect repellant currently available. It has been used safely for more than 40 years by millions of people around the world.

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