Protecting your yard and other outdoor spaces from mosquito populations is essential to keeping your household members and pets safe from mosquito bites and the possible diseases they may carry. Mosquitoes are fast-breeding pests that are known to resurge in the late summer, unexpectedly swarming into Kansas and Missouri yards during the final heat wave of the year.
If you’re concerned about Kansas City mosquito control for your yard, here is what you need to know to prepare for the late summer and fall months.
Why Mosquitos Resurge in Late Summer
Kansas City residents should be familiar with the “Indian summer” that often comes in late August or early September. This sudden heat wave, after a few weeks of cooling temperatures, often brings lingering humidity and a resurgence of summer pest problems. Mosquitoes may seem to have gone dormant during cooler temperatures, but this lingering heat and humidity encourage breeding and earlier hatching than anticipated.
Mosquitoes breed incredibly quickly, with a single female able to lay anywhere between 100 and 300 eggs every few days. These eggs hatch within 48 hours and reach adulthood in as little as two weeks. All it takes is a few days of heat and humidity to encourage females to breed or for eggs to start hatching.
What Attracts Mosquitoes to Your Yard
In addition to warm, humid weather, mosquitoes need warm, stagnant water sources to survive. Every species of mosquito requires water to survive, and they always lay their eggs in or near water. In the larval and pupal stages of a mosquito’s life cycle, it remains hidden in the water as it molts and develops into adulthood.
Water sources don’t need to be large for mosquitoes to thrive. Here are some of the possible breeding sites mosquitoes may gravitate toward in your front yard, backyard, or other outdoor spaces:
- Ponds
- Birdbaths
- Pooling water in clogged gutters
- Leaf piles and yard debris
- Dense vegetation (such as unkempt bushes or overgrown lawns)
- Flower pot saucers or planters
- Inflatable pools
- Outdoor storage bins without sealing lids
- Discarded tires
- Loose tarps
- Uncovered rain barrels
- Dog water bowls
- Wheelbarrows
Mosquitoes generally look for undisturbed, stagnant water. Adding a fountain to a pond, birdbath, or other water display in your yard will circulate the water and make the water less appealing to mosquitoes. Changing out the water regularly can also eliminate pests that may already be breeding inside containers. That said, professional pest control treatment is the only certain way to handle mosquito infestations.
The Risk of Inconsistent Mosquito Treatment
One common pitfall for many homeowners is only investing in pest control when pest populations are present. This is ineffective. Why? Even if the weather changes, pests like mosquitoes are always present and can easily develop into a large infestation if not continuously prevented. In other words, don’t wait.
If you assume mosquitoes are gone for the summer, you may end up desperate for Kansas City mosquito control when mosquitoes crop up in the late summer. Mosquito eggs can withstand cooler temperatures, which could lead to hundreds of mosquitoes suddenly appearing in your yard if the weather warms up.
Mosquitoes aren’t the only summer pests that can reappear in late summer heat waves. Other biting pests, like fleas and ticks for example, may also come out of hiding in August or September if the weather conditions are ideal. Flea, tick, and mosquito control is valuable beyond the peak pest season as it eliminates lingering eggs, keeps your yard maintained and pest-free, and significantly reduces the odds of a pest resurgence in the event of an Indian summer.
How Advantage Protects Your Household Against Mosquitos
Whether you paused your services in the lull of early fall or want to equip your yard to remain mosquito-free all summer long, Advantage Termite and Pest Control is here to help. Our decades of experience with Kansas City mosquito control make us the perfect choice for treating your yard against existing mosquito populations and preventing future infestations from invading your backyard.
If you’re ready to enjoy your outdoor spaces without the risk of mosquito bites, contact Advantage Termite and Pest Control for a free inspection and to learn more about our Kansas City pest control solutions. Call us at first sight – we do it right!
