MOSQUITOS AND CARPENTER BEES THREATEN OUTDOOR FUN
Both mozzies and carpenter bees are the most tenacious and unpleasant little insects at any given time. Outdoor gatherings are often disrupted when these creatures show up and stay โ as if invited.
Here is what you should know about the two and what needs to be done when an infestation occurs.
Mosquitos
Once a mosquito pierces your skin, you are left not only with a stinging sensation, but also an itchy bump that can lead to inflammation and other health risks. This is achieved by using their special mouthparts to perforate the skin effectively and suck on your blood. Their saliva is recognized as an immune trigger that protects us from the ambush. It could also lead to fatal diseases like Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue and Zika, among others.
How to treat for mosquitoes
Mosquitos, also known as โlittle flies,โ are attracted to standing water. This is their breeding terrain, where they lay and leave their eggs. The most effective way to avoid them from multiplying is to be sensible regarding birdbaths, kiddiesโ pools, watering cans and anything containing stagnant water.
Keep a watchout for areas that do not drain well. Regions that flood often due to rainwater, will be a gathering spot for mosquito reproduction.
Pest control treatments for mosquitos are necessary, not only because of their itchy bites, but also because they cause diseases that can be fatal to our health.
A treatment to eliminate the reproduction of mosquitos, can be done by killing off the larvae. Our team of pest control experts will assist in identifying the areas on your property where it is necessary to terminate the pests. Another way would be to apply a barrier treatment to the shelter areas of more mature mosquitos, like bushes, leaves and other greenery.
Carpenter bees
These hoverers inherited their name from the tunnels they create into the wood to nest and lay their eggs. Although they inflict a significant amount of damage, they do not eat the wood. They prefer softer untreated wood like cedar, pine and redwood. Painted, varnished and treated wood are not appealing to them.
Carpenter bees and bumblebees are similar in appearance, but carpenter bees generally have a glossy abdomen, where bumblebeesโ are hairy, black and striped yellow. The nesting habits of the bees also differ. Carpenter bees lay their eggs by drilling into the wood, where bumblebees lay their eggs in former pockets that are frequently underground. Carpenter bees, unlike honeybees and bumblebees, do not live in a colony or hive. The adults overwinter independently. The ones who pulled through the cold Winter, mate the following Spring.
If the female carpenter bee happens to sting on the rare occasion, the prick is rather mild. The males, like all hymenopterans, do not sting. They hover around the nesting sites with loud buzzing noises, coming across as threatening. In actual fact, it is more intimidating and annoying when they come into close contact with humans.
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How to treat for carpenter bees
Getting rid of carpenter bees can be quite a challenging task if you attempt to tackle this on your own. We do not recommend using pesticides. Safety equipment like respirators and protective gear, thick gloves, face masks and sufficient eye protectors would need to be worn regardless of the method used to remove the entire colony.
Our professional pest control service will assist to control the plague population on your premises by removing remaining bees and plugging all individual bee holes. This prevents the bees from returning year after year and extending their galleries. The busy bees are relocated, while our experts take care of the hovering hosts and secure your home from possible future invasions.
Further Reading
Is your home a mosquito sanctuary?
Bites, insects or something else?
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