Mosquitoes: A Closer Look

Mosquitoes can be so pesky and Minnesotans know the feeling of swatting and itching. Be covered from these summer pests May through September with Paffy’s Pest Control.

There are many different types of species and subspecies of mosquitoes in Minnesota, but here are the most common.

Aedes

The Aedes is the only species that bites during the day. They can only fly a few meters in their whole life so they stay close to their breeding areas. Since their eggs flourish in standing water, whenever there is rain, these mosquitoes seem to instantly populate. The subspecies of the Aedes mosquito are Vexans, Egypti, and Albopictus. Vexans are the most common mosquito of the Aedes to be found in the US, though Egypti and Albopictus are more commonly found in the south and west coast regions of the country. The Egypti and Albopictus are varieties can carry West Nile.

Anopheles

The Anopheles mosquito is the only species to carry Malaria, though it is not as common in the US.

Culex

The Culex mosquito is the other mosquito variety common in the US. Like the Aedes Vexans, the Culex mosquitoes are prevalent in Minnesota. Culex mosquitoes are out from dusk until dawn and they can travel between 1 and 3 miles in their lifetime! That’s a long ways for a small bug! Their predominant host is birds, but they are known to bite humans during their feeding hours.

How We Treat

Because there are a couple different types of mosquitoes in Minnesota, treatment is specific to your yard. Once a technician from Paffy’s has inspected your yard, he will know where and how to treat. In every case, all vegetation like shrubs, bushes, trees, and tall grass is treated. Most active areas of the yard are treated. Paffy’s will rarely spray all the grass. Instead, the technicians target the areas where the mosquitoes breed and hang out.

While there are many products to use on mosquitoes, Paffy’s uses a product that uses adulticides, insect growth regulators (IGR) and Piperonul Butoxide (PBO- which basically just means it looks chalky white until it’s mixed with water and it allows the product to adhere to targeted areas). The adulticides target the adult mosquitoes. The IGR targets both adult mosquitoes and eggs. The IGR makes the mosquitoes sterile. The products Paffy’s uses will not harm common plants and vegetables. The technician uses a backpack mist blower to apply the product.

Once applied to areas of the yard and a mosquito comes in contact with it, it will bring trace amounts of it wherever it goes, further adding to the success of the mosquito treatments.

While there are over the counter products you can buy at your average retailer, Paffy’s uses the best products, and if you get the summer-long package and experience mosquitoes, give us a call and we’ll come back out at no additional charge to you!

Obtain a mosquito free yard this summer! Give Paffy’s a call: 651-459-4654. We protect you, your pets, and your environments so you can live freely.