Mosquitoes Near Top of Everyone’s Most-Hated Pest List

With the hot, humid days and nights of summer upon us, everyone loves to hate mosquitoes. And

for a very valid reason: Mosquitoes can be a threat to health or they can just be a darn nuisance. Not

only do some mosquito species carry serious diseases that affect humans, they can also transmit several

diseases and parasites that can infect dogs and even horses.

According to Ted Snyder, urban entomologist and training director for Batzner Pest Management,

New Berlin, there are about 3,500 different mosquito species worldwide, and some of them can cause

such diseases such as malaria, West Nile Virus, dengue, LaCrosse encephalitis (LAC), and St. Louis

encephalitis (SLE). “It’s a fact that some can even cause dog heartworm and eastern equine encephalitis

(EEE). In addition, mosquito bites can trigger severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to the

mosquito’s saliva,” he says.

Snyder points to a current misconception about mosquitoes. “Some people think that dry seasons

are relatively mosquito-free and therefore not a concern. Actually mosquitoes bite birds in dry seasons

and can transmit diseases to them and through them. Then when rain falls, mosquitoes will move

around to other habitats and be exposed to humans.

“If swarms of mosquitoes are really giving you a problem, it’s a good idea to call in a professional

pest management company to get rid of them. But you can also initiate some integrated pest

management (IPM) practices yourself that can help prevent a problem.”

These practices include:

* Inspecting in and around the house and picking up and hauling away all decaying

material and garbage, broken washing machines, bottles and cans.

* Eliminating mosquito breeding areas around the house, such as standing water,

damaged water pipes, etc.

* Filling holes in trees.

* Drilling holes in the bottom of tire swings.

* Emptying or changing water at least once a week in pet food dishes and birdbaths.

* Regularly cleaning roof gutters.

* Filling in any low spots in the yard that could hold water.

* Limiting the growth of vegetation in ponds and streams.

* Keeping swimming pools clean and chlorinated.

“To protect best against mosquitoes, prevent them in the first place,” he says.

For more information, contact Batzner Pest Management, 262-797-4160 or visit

them on the Internet: www.batzner.com

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