Mosquito Infestations Around Your Florida Home: What Homeowners Need To Know

Is the buzzing and biting of mosquitoes starting to feel like a constant presence in your Florida home? Mosquitoes thrive here in Florida’s climate, leading many homeowners to assume that having them constantly swarming around the house is an inevitable part of living in the state. While there’s no way to fully eliminate mosquitoes, taking the appropriate prevention and treatment strategies can reduce persistent activity so that you can enjoy your space in peace.

Why Mosquitoes Thrive in Florida

Mosquitoes require a source of water to reproduce, and thanks to Florida’s rainy, humid climate, there is an abundance of water here. We also have essentially year-round warm weather, which allows mosquitoes to remain active and continue reproducing. Additionally, Florida is home to 80 different mosquito species, which is one of the highest amounts across states in the U.S.

Where Mosquitoes Breed Around Homes

Mosquito larvae can develop in as little as 1 inch of water, meaning almost anything that holds water can be a breeding ground. Ponds, birdbaths, buckets, barrels, saucers under plant pots, tarps, clogged gutters, yard drains, and low-lying areas of the yard are all common places you’ll find mosquito larvae. If you have any plants that hold water around the house, you may be able to see larvae wriggling around if you look in the water.

Swimming pools can be another major breeding ground. Chlorine doesn’t kill mosquito eggs or larvae. The only way to eliminate them from a pool is to run the skimmer and filter every day.

Health Risks Associated With Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can carry several different pathogens that can be passed on to a person when they are bitten. In the US, the most common mosquito-borne disease is West Nile Virus. Malaria is by far the most common infection caused by mosquitoes worldwide, and it kills approximately 600,000 people per year. While malaria is rare in the US, there were seven locally transmitted cases of it in Florida in 2023. Florida has also recently started experiencing more cases of mosquitoes transmitting dengue fever.

The Zika virus is another disease transmitted by mosquitoes, although our state hasn’t had any locally transmitted cases reported since 2017. Other illnesses mosquitoes can transmit include St. Louis Encephalitis, La Crosse Encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon Encephalitis, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Mosquitoes don’t just pose a threat to humans. They can also transmit a parasite to dogs and cats that causes heartworm disease, which can be serious and potentially fatal if left untreated. Heartworm disease is common, especially in the Southeastern US, which is why giving your pets heartworm prevention medication every year is so important.

Mosquito Prevention Tips for Homeowners

The most important step in reducing mosquito problems around your house is to try to eliminate sources of standing water, such as buckets or old tires. If you have a birdbath, you should change the water frequently to eliminate any larvae and pupae before they become adults. Adding a fountain or bubbler to a pond discourages female mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the water, as they prefer stagnant water and typically avoid moving water. Adding goldfish or koi to your pond also helps since the fish can consume mosquito larvae every day.

It’s also important to regularly clean your gutters to prevent them from clogging and holding standing water. Adult mosquitoes rest in damp, dense vegetation during the day, which is why you should make sure to keep your grass mowed short and trim bushes and shrubs so that they have fewer places on your property to hide.

Bug zappers and citronella candles also make it easier to enjoy time on the patio without constantly being bitten

When Mosquito Problems Require Professional Help

Eliminating water sources where larvae can grow and keeping your landscape tidy should help to cut down on the number of mosquitoes around your house. However, if you still find yourself dealing with large numbers of mosquitoes, it’s time to turn to the professionals. Our experts at Home Paramount Pest Control provide comprehensive mosquito control services to help when DIY methods won’t cut it.

Professional Mosquito Control for Florida Homes

At Home Paramount Pest Control, we have 87 years of experience in helping home and business owners tackle a wide range of pest problems. Our targeted mosquito control services include identifying potential breeding grounds and applying targeted treatments to help you regain comfort in your Florida home.

To schedule a mosquito treatment or any other pest control service in Florida, contact us today.