Did you know there are almost 200 different species of mosquitoes found in the United States? While you may associate the tiny bug with the red, itchy bites that clear up after a few days, some mosquitoes are more dangerous than others, and they can have an impact on your business if they get out of control.
Here's everything you need to know about the Asian tiger mosquito, including how to identify them and how to prevent them from affecting your business.
What is an Asian tiger mosquito?
The Asian tiger mosquito migrated from Southeast Asia in the mid-1980s. Ubiquitous in southeastern states like Texas, California, and Hawaii, they have also been found as far north as Michigan and Minnesota and along the East coast. They can carry a number of pathogens that may carry different diseases including encephalitis, yellow fever, West Nile and Zika. Here's how to identify Asian tiger mosquitoes:
Appearance
About ¼ inch long, Asian tiger mosquitoes have black bodies with a single white stripe down the back and silvery-white bands on the legs and thorax.
Behavior
Aggressive biters, Asian tiger mosquitoes are active during the day and will go after humans, pets, and wild animals alike. Females lay eggs in moist areas just above water's surface which will hatch when they become submerged in water, usually in the spring and summer. The larvae grow into adults in about two weeks, and they live for approximately three weeks. A single female can lay up to 500 eggs in one lifetime.
Habitat
Like all mosquitoes, Asian tiger mosquitoes thrive in wet conditions. They lay their eggs on the sides of containers such as flowerpots, birdbaths, and buckets, or inside trees, stumps or planters that have collected water.
In tropical and subtropical climates, adult mosquitoes can live and continue to breed all year-round. In areas with all four seasons, adults die off when it gets cold, but the eggs can survive until it warms up again.
Learn more about our commercial mosquito control services.
Protecting your business from Asian tiger mosquitoes
Like many types of mosquitoes, Asian tiger mosquitoes can be a nuisance for businesses with outdoor spaces like restaurants, hotels, and office buildings, especially once the weather starts to warm up. Since mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, eliminating ideal breeding conditions can go a long way in helping to prevent an infestation. Here are a few simple ways to protect your business:
- Drain bird feeders every few days and make sure outdoor water features like ponds or fountains are well-maintained.
- Check flowerpots and drainage pans for collected water.
- Inspect the grounds for areas without adequate drainage that might hold standing water after a rainfall.
- Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent water from accumulating.
- Use gentle fans in outdoor seating areas. Mosquitoes are weak flyers, and they will try to avoid areas with strong air currents.
Commercial mosquito control
For restaurants, hotels and event spaces, busy season and mosquito season often go hand in hand. While eliminating standing water where mosquitoes are likely to breed is essential for mosquito control, it can be beneficial for some businesses to be even more proactive. Terminix Commercial's mosquito control services involve spraying typical mosquito hideouts once a month to help eliminate most of the mosquito population and help prevent the infestation from growing out of control.
Never worry about Asian tiger mosquitoes driving away business. Call us at 877.837.6464 to schedule service or request a free quote.
