One of the factors that makes mosquitoes difficult to control is that they fly. Therefore, even if a yard has been properly serviced, flying, biting mosquitoes may appear, much to a customer’s chagrin! Let’s look at two scenarios to see how flight range and other factors may impact a mosquito control service.
Mosquito Scenario A
Location: backyard in urban Louisiana. Mosquito: Asian tiger mosquito (ATM), Aedes albopictus. Flight range: Limited – 150 yards or less from breeding site. Breeding sites: Artificial and natural containers holding relatively clean water.
Control
The key here is source reduction = finding and removing or treating all breeding sites. The female ATM lays eggs in as many places as she can find so you have to really inspect thoroughly. Because of the limited flight range, adults are much less likely to re-infest the property. Use non-pesticidal traps and residual sprays or mosquito bait on vegetation.
Mosquito Scenario B
Location: coastal areas along saltmarshes in Texas. Mosquito: Black saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes taeniorhynchus. Flight range: 40 miles or so from breeding site! Breeding sites: Salt marshes.
Control
Wow! Mosquitoes that fly 40 miles! Obviously, larval control will not be part of your service! These mosquitoes are vicious biters, attacking during the day. Use residual sprays or baits on vegetation along with ultra-low-volume spray, and good luck! Learn more about Captain Stan (aka the Mosquito Man) here: https://catchmaster.com/introducing-captain-stan-the-mosquito-man/ Learn more about mosquitoes from the NPMA here: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/mosquitoes/
