Mosquitoes In New Jersey

New Jersey has a lot of wonderful things to offer residents, such as beaches, lakes, and streams. However, the only downside to being near water is mosquitos. If you live near any of this area of interest, or you frequent wooded terrain, then you’re likely to encounter these blood sucking creatures.

Unfortunately, even if you don’t live in their frequent hangouts, you can still get bitten by these little vampires. The warm, summer weather brings the mosquitoes out in droves. Even a puddle after a rain can be an attraction for pests that prey on stagnant waters.

If you have any ponds or reservoirs near your home, or even a decorative bird bath, then you’re likely to have a great issue with these insects. While you think they’re just a nuisance that you must learn to deal with, you must understand how dangerous these bugs are to you.

The Dangers of Mosquitoes

Source: University of California

These small bugs carry microbes that are dangerous to humans. One bite can be all it takes to give you a disease that will affect you for life. Two of the most serious diseases caused by these insects are West Nile and Leishmania.

When you think of it in terms that these little pests can carry more deadly diseases than other bugs, then you can see how serious the issue is. When you consider all the insects that bite, sting, or leave their mark on your skin, the mosquito is more deadly than them all. Studies have proven that the bite from the mosquito is more deadly than any other insect around, as they kill more humans.

You might find that surprising since the tick is known to bring Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but most folks recover. So, before you think that the mosquito is just a nuisance, you need to fully understand how serious an encounter is. Thankfully, there are things you can do to help prevent and lessen the population around your home.

The 411 On Mosquito Season

Source: State of New Jersey

Mosquito season starts at different points around the country, but in New Jersey, you start seeing them around April of each year. They continue to be a problem until the cold weather in October kills them off. If the temperature is unusually warm, they can spring to life as soon as March.

Though don’t count them totally out until November if October is unseasonably warm either. It’s easy to see that they hang around most of the year, which makes your preventative measures even more important. Preventative measures are your best bet, but they won’t work for all the mosquitoes that frequent this region.

Some of these bugs are harmless, and they’re not too hard to get rid of either, but some are a serious health risk that need to be eradicated.

New Jersey Mosquitoes

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact mosquito you’re dealing with as there are dozens that call this state home. Sadly, there is no completely safe species as they all carry some type of health risk. Did you know that they can easily transfer the virus from one person to the other?

If you’re infected with West Nile and they bite you, then the next person they bite will also become infected. This is how they transfer the disease all around, which is extremely dangerous. Think of how many mosquito bites you’ve already had this year, it’s quite an ominous thought.

Before you can treat or prevent mosquitoes, you need to know the specific types that you deal with in The Garden State. Here are the most common species and their preferences.

1. White Footed Woods

Source: University of Florida

These insects aren’t as harmful as some other species, but they do tend to be a bit more aggressive than some. Their bites are quite painful, and they tend to have multiple generations during one season.

Not only is this insect found in this state, but they’re found all over the country as well as in South America. Though there have been some cases where a bite from this species has brought West Nile or other viruses, it’s highly unlikely.

When you’re outside fishing, camping, or hunting near the woods, make sure to wear pants that come to your ankles as well as long sleeved shirts. These pests are most active at dusk and dawn, so you should avoid these times.

2. Asian Tiger

Source: National Invasive Species Information Center

The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the most abundant in this state. They love the wet and warm weather of the summers here. You can identify them easily by their appearance. They have a solid black body with white stripes. They’re quite small measuring at only two-tenths of an inch.

While they may be small, their danger level is great. They love stagnant water to lay their eggs on, and they carry diseases like encephalitis, West Nile, and even Zika virus. Sadly, there are no medications that can cure Zika, and it’s been known to cause serious birth defects in unborn children.

It’s essential to protect yourself from this pest by getting rid of any bird baths around your home, as well as empty flower pots that can collect water. Also, if you’re going to spend time outdoors, make sure you wear protective clothing.

3. Cattail Mosquitoes

Source: University of Florida

They tend to be more active during the evening hours, and the adults are the ones that love being in the forests. Watch out for the female, which tends to be a bit larger than the males, as she is the most aggressive towards humans.

Using traditional insecticides hasn’t always been effective in eradicating the problem with cattail mosquitoes. Rather, scientists have found that controlling cattail growth proves to be the best option. Having excessive overgrowth of cattails is just asking for trouble.

Common Misconceptions

People love to jump to conclusions, so there is a great deal of misconceptions out there about these insects. First and foremost, mosquitoes do love blood, but they don’t need it to survive. They can live with or without human or pet contact.

Mosquitoes feed on nectar, which is not a widely known fact. Now, if a female wants to lay eggs, she will need the blood to do that process. Male mosquitoes don’t drink blood, so they won’t seek you out.

It’s the female who has an appetite for blood, and she is the only one that can bite. Once she lays a batch of eggs, she will go in search of more blood to keep the fertility process going. Sadly, she lives only to reproduce, and her life span is a short two-weeks.

The last common misconception that most people believe is that the crane fly is a mosquito. Folks often jump and become afraid when they see this large fly hovering around windows and doors.

The crane fly cannot even bite you. They look like a mosquito, but they are good to have around. Their nickname is the mosquito hawks, because they feed off the bugs that you want to stay away from. So, before you swat one of these flies, you might want to think twice.

Taking Steps to Preserve Human Health and Well Being

Source: National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA)

You can see how dangerous the mosquito is to your wellbeing, so it’s important to be proactive. First, while bird baths and koi ponds are nice, they pose a risk. Get rid of anything that can collect standing water and can be a breeding ground for these insects.

Second, if you notice a large number of mosquitoes around your property, it’s best to call a New Jersey pest control company to help. We can spray the area to eradicate the population and lessen the risks to your health. We can kill mosquitoes in all stages of development, which is essential for your safety.

There’s no need to take unnecessary risks. Our team can help keep you and your home safe. Call us today to discuss how we can assist.

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