Here at K.C.S, we tackle many insects, but none are quite as irritating as the common mosquito. Not only are they small, sneaky, and speedy, but they are also one of the deadliest animals in the world.
In Queensland alone, several deadly infections can spread through mosquito bites, such as the common Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus, Australian encephalitis and dengue. As well as this, conditions such as Malaria, Zika and Yellow fever can quickly spread from those who come back from an overseas trip, especially during the summertime where even southeast Queensland can replicate the tropical environment that mosquitos thrive in. The best way to counteract this is to make your home unfit for mosquito breeding.
This can be achieved by:
1. Removing all stagnant water
Standing water is one of the leading catalysts in a mosquito infestation, and aside from itching is generally the first sign of a problem. Female mosquitos will search for stagnant water to lay their eggs in, in which the eggs and larvae will stay until adulthood. Therefore, this means it is essential to minimise the amount of stagnant water around the home to ensure mosquitos have no place to breed.
Minimising stagnant water can be achieved by:
a) changing your pet's water bowl frequently
b) ensuring all water from plumbing is drained or covered (this includes sinks, baths and showers, as well as frequently flushing your toilet or keeping the seat down)
c) any outdoor puddles that cannot drain themselves should be drained manually
2. DIY Mosquito traps
One way to minimise mosquito breeding is to remove the adult mosquitos already in and around your home. A simple DIY to achieve this is to make a sugar trap, which can be crafted by first cutting a bottle in half, placing the top half inside the bottom half to create a funnel, and taping it together. You then fill this with a solution consisting of a cup of sugar and a teaspoon of active dried yeast dissolved into a cup of water. When a mosquito senses the sugar, they will fly through the funnel into the solution to drink, causing them to get trapped and consequently drown.
Image source: LaysDIY
3. Keeping all doors and windows shut when not in use
Of course, the most effective way to keep your home safe from mosquitos is to close all entrances to your house when not in use, this way there is a decreased chance of mosquitos making your house, their home.
Not to worry, if your home has a mosquito infestation K.C.S has you covered through a number of services.