What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Learn What Attracts Mosquitoes & How to Prevent the Pest from Taking Over Your Property
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance — they are actually among the deadliest animals on earth, causing anywhere from 700,000 to one million human deaths every year. Around the world, 3,000 different species of mosquitoes serve as a nuisance and spread more diseases than any other creature on the planet!
These tiny killers carry and spread dangerous diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, and yellow fever, among others. Even when they don’t make people sick, one bite can cause itching and discomfort that lasts for days.
With hot, humid summers and ample bodies of water, the Northeastern United States is one of the worst regions for breeding swarms of these pests.
In the New England area, at least four species — Eastern tree hole, Northern house, Asian tiger, and Yellow Fever mosquitoes, annoy and bite residents. One of the most effective ways to control them is to understand what attracts mosquitoes to people, homes, and other spaces.
That knowledge is the first step in keeping these potentially dangerous pests away from homes and businesses.
What Attracts Mosquitoes to People?
Although male mosquitoes only feed on nectar, females feed on blood from people and animals. Some people may think they are a magnet for mosquitoes — and they may be right, but what attracts mosquitoes to people and surrounding properties is a combination of complex factors.
Mosquitoes locate their victims in a few ways, including by following the carbon dioxide trails produced by animals and people. The pest also uses receptors to seek out hosts using factors like smell, heat, and perspiration.
Genetics can play a huge role in making certain people more susceptible to mosquito bites than others. People with high levels of cholesterol, steroids, and certain acids — including uric acid, tend to attract more mosquitoes.
Likewise, our bodies produce certain chemicals in some conditions. For example, high metabolisms, of you are pregnant, have a warmer than normal body temperature, or are exercising, the body will produce certain chemicals that mosquitoes find attractive.
Smells are a major factor in what attracts mosquitoes to people. These tiny pests are drawn to sweat and the smell of human skin, although they also love perfumes, floral-scented body products, and deodorants. In terms of diet factors, they are more likely to be attracted to people who eat and drink certain foods, including bananas, avocados, beer, salty foods, and sugary treats.
What Colors Attract Mosquitoes?
Did you ever wonder what colors attract mosquitoes? The color of food resources provides mosquitoes with localization and recognition capabilities. Some insects first look for carbon dioxide in the air and then move toward specific colors.
The colors that attract the pets are long wavelength colors, including orange, red, black, cyan, and some floral patterns that include these colors.
Low wavelength colors such as purple, green, and white tend to be less attractive to the pest.
To avoid attracting mosquitoes, stick with wearing light and/or neutral colors. Keep in mind that mosquitoes can bite right through tight clothing. To avoid attracting them, experts always recommend wearing light, loose-fitting clothing when spending time in mosquito-prone areas.
What Attracts Mosquitoes to Homes?
Mosquitoes are attracted to more than just people.
Nectar and water are two major attractions that could be driving mosquitoes directly to your doorstep. Standing water is one of the biggest potential offenders. Did you know that mosquitoes spend about three-quarters of their lives in water? And they don’t need much water to breed and lay their eggs. In fact, they can do so in water as shallow as the film in the bottom of a cup.
Potential sources of standing water include birdbaths, buckets, flowerpots, a garbage can lid, and wheelbarrows. Clogged drains and gutters can also trap water and provide pests with a combination of water and an ideal shelter from the wind.
Yard debris is another attraction. Because mosquitoes prefer shielded, cool shelters that provide them protection from the sunlight, debris piles, overgrown weeds and grass, shrubbery, and compost piles all serve as invitations to mosquitoes to take up residence.
Keep grass mowed regularly and make sure shrubs and trees are trimmed to minimize the availability of spaces mosquitoes like to make their home. Also, remove yard debris and ensure compost piles are contained in receptacles with tightly fitting lids.
Male mosquitoes feed on nectar, which comes from flowers, so floral scents tend to attract mosquitoes. That means lots of gorgeous flowers around a home or business could be increasing the number of mosquitoes that are attracted to the property.
That doesn’t mean everyone should get rid of all their landscaping, however. Instead, plant shrubs, flowers, and greenery that doesn’t produce heavy, perfumed aromas. Planting flowers with strong scents farther away from living or gathering areas may also help.
How to Prevent Mosquitoes with Catseye Pest Control
Understanding what attracts mosquitos to homes, people, and other living things is only half the battle. If you have tried cleaning gutters, minimizing flowers, getting rid of standing water, and wearing light clothing, but you’re still struggling with mosquitoes, it may be time to call in professional help.
As the area’s go-to pest control service, Catseye Pest Control offers and safe and effective Tick and Mosquito Control Program.
Our pest and nuisance wildlife control will visit your home or business and provide a free inspection that can be used to create a plan that is tailored precisely to the property. Using environmentally friendly, organic products, we can effectively help keep your home, business, family, friends, and pets safe during mosquito season.
Ready to take control? Contact Casteye for a free inspection today to prevent mosquitoes from biting into your outdoor fun.
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