Mosquitoes might be one of the most instantly recognizable insects in the world, and not for good reason. At best a mild nuisance and at worst disease-carrying pests, mosquitoes cause trouble all around the UK.
Mosquitoes are common flying insects found worldwide, mostly in humid environments and around people but also in forests and grassy areas. They come in various shapes and sizes, with over 3,700 known species around the world.
When hearing the word ‘mosquito’, most people can easily picture what it looks like. Its easily recognizable, small-sized body has three main parts:
The abdomen – the longest part of a mosquito’s body where you can find its reproductive organs.
Generally, adult mosquitoes end up living between 2 and 4 weeks. Their lifespan depends on many factors like the species, level of humidity, temperature, and many others. Female mosquitoes also live longer than males.
Though mosquitoes can be found all around the world, they prefer warm and humid environments. In the UK where weather can be quite unpredictable, we often see mosquitoes any time between April and October.
Mosquitoes mostly feed on flower nectar and juices using their proboscis. However, female mosquitoes will also feed on animal blood when carrying eggs, as it is essential for their development.
The female mosquito will land on a person or animal’s skin and pierce through using the sharp bristles of the proboscis. Then, it will probe in the tissue until it finds a blood vessel or capillary to feed from.
A female mosquito’s saliva usually causes an allergic reaction in our bodies, which leads to itchiness and irritation.
A mosquito infestation usually comes with a long list of unpleasant effects. A place that’s infested with mosquitoes will be full of their incessant buzzing which can be very frustrating. On top of that, mosquito bites can be quite painful, as the human body reacts to the mosquito saliva in the form of stinging pain and itchiness.
That’s not all, however. Some species of mosquitoes around the world are known to spread dangerous diseases like the West Nile virus, dengue fever, or malaria.
While there are over 30 native mosquito species in the UK, some of the most common ones are:
In recent years, there have also been some reports of the Asian Tiger mosquito in the UK. This species is known to transmit viruses like Chikungunya and Dengue Fever. The BPCA (British Pest Control Association) recommends vigilance but has also stated that there is no immediate danger in the UK.
In most cases, mosquito bites won’t cause more than mild discomfort. The irritation can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days – it will also last longer the more you scratch it, so it’s best to avoid touching the area.
If you want to protect yourself from being bitten, you can either:
Mosquito infestations are a huge hassle, no matter if you’re a business owner or trying to keep your home safe from harmful pests. Below, our VermEx specialists provide helpful tips and tricks to ensure your home and business premises stay fully protected and pest-free:
The main tell-tale signs of mosquito infestations are incessant buzzing noises and itchy bite marks that appear out of nowhere.
Getting rid of mosquitoes can be a challenging task, especially in warm, humid environments. Our BPCA-certified technicians at VermEx have extensive experience with a large variety of pests including mosquitoes – if you call us for a mosquito infestation, we’ll make sure to:
Our qualified professionals are trained to remove any annoying pests, and will also give expert advice on how to prevent future infestations for long-term comfort and safety.
Our top tips for keeping your home or business spaces mosquito-free are:
VermEx is a family-run pest control company with over 30 years of experience in providing a professional pest control service to commercial clients across the North of England, including Manchester, York & Leeds. We pride ourselves on our ability to quickly and effectively react to our customer’s needs and provide an unparalleled level of service that is individually tailored to their needs.
If your hotel has a pest problem, get in touch with us today and we can arrange a free quote.