Summer is approaching and with that comes the pest we like to call the mosquito. Mosquitoes begin to breed when temperatures are over 50°F. With temperatures rising, so does the risk of catching diseases carried by mosquitoes. To control the mosquito population, we need to understand the biology of a mosquito and how we, as a community, can help to control the population. 

Mosquitoes go through four stages in their life cycle. The first stage is the egg stage. Once a female mosquito has feasted on a "blood meal" and mated with a male mosquito, she will lay her eggs on the surface of water. The eggs will then hatch in 24 to 48 hours. After hatching, the mosquito will go into the larva stage of its lifecycle, feeding on microorganisms and organic matter in the water as it grows and transitions into its third stage, the pupae. During its pupae stage, the mosquito will no longer eat, but will change into an adult mosquito. A female mosquito can live 42 to 56 days, while a male can live for 10 days. 

How does Mosquito Control Services keep the population down in Terrebonne Parish?

• Larvaciding: Used to control mosquitos when they are in their larva stage, a pesticide is ingested by the larva while they feed and reacts with an enzyme that only mosquitoes possess to kill the larva before it becomes a full-grown adult.
• Ground Adulticiding: Spray trucks are used to release ultra-low volume sprays that are a low-exposure risk for people and animals. The pesticide can reach 300 to 500 feet once dispensed. The pesticide targets adult mosquitoes.
• Surveillance: Scientist are constantly testing mosquitos for diseases and response to the currently-used pesticides to ensure they are not becoming immune. 
• Education: Mosquito Control Services wants the community to learn about mosquitoes and how we can work together to control the population. They offer many different forms of education, including presentations, pamphlets, and festival booths.

How can you help?

It only takes a bottle cap full of water for a female adult mosquito to lay up to 300 eggs. Here are some ways to control the mosquito population in your area.

• Keep gutters clean
• Repair leaky faucets outside
• Eliminate any debris that holds water
• Drain excess water from plant pots and saucers
• Change birdbaths twice a week
• Maintain pools and spas and keep water from pooling on covers
• Turn toys and equipment upside down to prevent water from collecting inside
• Replace water in outside pet dishes every couple of days
• Discard tires

For more information, visit mosquitocs.com or call 504-366-0084.

Click here to view Mosquito Control Service's ebrochure.