Why Is Mosquito Control Necessary Year-Round In Louisiana?

Living in Northwest Louisiana has plenty of perks, one of which is our weather. Although our summers are typically hot and humid, milder temperatures prevail through most of the winter, and we rarely have to worry about snow or ice. Because the temperature stays above 40 degrees most, if not all, of the year, pests find this area a great place to live too. If you’ve ever noticed that you never really get a break from mosquitoes in Northwest Louisiana, you’re probably ready to find out why Anti-Pest recommends year-round mosquito control for your property.

Why are mosquitoes a year-round problem in Northwest Louisiana?

Mosquitoes can be active in a fairly wide range of temperatures. Their sweet spot is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and they love an area with a lot of humidity. This is why there are so many mosquitoes active in the spring and summer in Northwest Louisiana. Our summer climate provides the perfect conditions for them to thrive.

However, mosquitoes can also get around when the temperature gets down into the low 50s. They won’t be quite as active as when it’s hot outside, but they’ll still be alive and well. Although some of our January nights can dip into the 40s, there are relatively few times throughout the year that mosquitoes can’t survive and be active in Louisiana’s climate. That is why mosquitoes are a year-round problem in Shreveport, Bossier City, and throughout the region. 

The health risks associated with mosquitoes

No one likes mosquitoes because of how annoying they can be. Not only do they irritate you with their incessant buzzing while they’re around you, but they can also leave you covered in itchy bites. Although a mosquito bite will usually only be an irritant for a few days and nothing more, in some cases, it can cause greater problems. 

Mosquitoes are known vectors for a variety of harmful diseases. In Louisiana, they are best known for spreading West Nile virus and several types of encephalitis. 

In most cases, people who contract West Nile virus don’t even know it. However, for about 20% of people, this virus causes flu-like symptoms that may include a fever, headache, body aches, rashes, and more. These symptoms typically resolve in a few days, but fatigue can last longer. In rare instances, symptoms can be more severe, eventually affecting the central nervous system. This happens in less than 1% of cases.

Encephalitis is a much rarer disease that can be spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms can include a headache, fever, nausea, stiff neck, dizziness, confusion, and more. Symptoms typically appear abruptly anywhere from four to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Because encephalitis causes swelling of the brain, if you display any of these symptoms, it’s important to be checked by a doctor.

How year-round mosquito control can improve your quality of life

The most important reason to avoid mosquitoes is to avoid the diseases they cause. However, because the risks of getting a mosquito-borne disease are fairly low, most people would rate other reasons to keep mosquitoes away as higher on their list of priorities.

First of all, even a mosquito bite that doesn’t have a disease attached to it is still an annoyance. Mosquito bites can itch for days and make you miserable, especially if you have a lot of them.

It’s also much more pleasant to spend time outside when you know that you won’t be attacked by mosquitoes every time you step outdoors. During dawn and dusk in the warmer months, mosquitoes can be especially brutal. Regardless of the time of day or year, if you want to eat a meal on your patio, spend time in your pool, or play with your kids in your yard, there is a good chance that mosquitoes will make it difficult to do so.

With year-round mosquito control, your quality of life will improve markedly. Fewer bites, a lower chance of getting sick, and an easier time enjoying outdoor activities are all benefits of year-round mosquito control.

How to prevent mosquitoes around your home

Keeping mosquitoes off your property isn’t a pipe dream. Although there isn’t a way to completely barricade your property from mosquitoes, there are several things you can do to reduce the number of these pests on your property. Prevent mosquitoes by:

• Keeping your grass trimmed.
• Cutting back vegetation around your house.
• Removing debris and leaf litter from your lawn.
• Reducing moisture around your property.
• Eliminating areas of standing water.
• Getting routine professional mosquito control.

While the steps you take to prevent mosquitoes can be beneficial, they’ll be incomplete without regular mosquito control from Anti-Pest.

Why professional mosquito control is the best way to keep mosquitoes away

Professional mosquito control is the best way to reduce your property's mosquito population all year. Although it’s imperative to eliminate as many areas of standing water as possible and reduce the places where mosquitoes might rest, it’s impossible to get rid of all of these areas around your property.

With professional mosquito control, the spots where adult mosquitoes spend the most time, as well as the places where they breed, are regularly treated. This not only reduces the number of adult mosquitoes on your property immediately after a treatment but also limits the number of mosquitoes on your property in the future by eliminating the eggs and larvae before they have a chance to mature. 

Since mosquitoes can fly in from other locations, routine mosquito control is the best way to ensure mosquito populations remain low on your property. Our locally owned-and family-operated pest control company offers monthly treatments that target breeding areas and resting spots for the most effective results. No matter the time of year, we will keep mosquitoes away from your property. Check out our mosquito plan below, or contact us today to schedule your mosquito inspection.