We have had a lot of much needed rain over the past few weeks and with the rain get ready for the mosquitoes to flock in! There is a relationship between rainfall and mosquito activity. Mosquitoes are associated with water, so whenever we get more rainfall, that’s an opportunity for mosquitoes to lay eggs. In warm weather, it takes about seven to 10 days for mosquito eggs to hatch. Here are some thing you should know:

  • There are around 3,500 species of mosquitoes, but only a couple hundred feasts on human blood.
  • If you’ve been bitten by a mosquito, it was a female. Male mosquitoes make do just fine with plants, but females need a blood meal before they can lay eggs.
  • The best time to avoid mosquitoes is in the afternoon, when temperatures are hottest and the insects rest in cooler spots.
  • Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide, lactic acid and octenol found in our breath and sweat, and they also sense the heat and humidity that surrounds our bodies. They may also have a preference for beer drinkers.
  • Birds were originally blamed for the spread of the West Nile Virus across the United States. But a 2010 study says that it was the mosquitoes themselves, which can travel up to 2.5 miles per day, that were responsible for the spread of the disease from 2001 to 2004.

Now that we know a little more about them, how do we prevent them?

Remove Mosquito Habitats

An important part of mosquito control around your home is making sure that mosquitoes don't have a place to lay their eggs. Because mosquitoes need water for two stages of their life cycle, it's important to monitor standing water sources.

  • Get rid of standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
  • Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to eliminate potential mosquito habitats.
  • Drain temporary pools of water or fill with dirt.
  • Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.

Prevent Your Exposure to Mosquitoes

Use the following tips to help protect yourself from exposure to mosquitoes.

  • Use EPA-registered mosquito repellents when necessary and follow label directions and precautions closely.
  • Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks to cover gaps in your clothing where mosquitoes can get to your skin.
  • Use head nets, long sleeves and long pants if you venture into areas with high mosquito populations, such as salt marshes.
  • Stay indoors at sunrise, sunset and early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active, especially if there is a mosquito-borne disease warning in effect.
  • Replace your outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights, which tend to attract fewer mosquitoes than ordinary lights. The yellow lights are NOT repellents, however.

When all else fails, these two ladies from Louisiana have some tips and tricks for you:

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