Yes, it’s mozzie season again! Even though mosquitoes can be a real pain, they are actually quite complex creatures!
Here are 5 interesting facts about these pesky bloodsuckers.
Short lifespan
After mating, a male mosquito usually lives only for three to five days and a female mosquito can live as long as 2 months under ideal conditions. In that time period, females will lay eggs every 3 weeks, up to 300 eggs at a time!
Certain scents confuses them
Mosquitoes can smell, and are attracted to, the carbon dioxide from your breath. Certain scents, like mint and caramelised chocolate, mask the smell and make it harder for them to sniff you out. Mint chocolate before bed…mmmm, yes please!
They like pretty colours
A study that was conducted by the University of Washington found that mosquitoes were most attracted to four colours: red, orange, black, and cyan. The presence of these colors caused them to remain in an area longer. These colors have longer wavelengths, and colors with orange and red tones are present in human skin, which may be why mosquitoes are drawn to them.
They don’t stray far from where they were hatched
Most mosquitoes cannot fly more than 1.5km to 3km and usually stay within 50 to 100 meters from where they were hatched.
Mosquitoes can hibernate
At temperatures less than 10°C, they shut down. The adult females of some species find holes where they wait for warmer weather, while others lay their eggs in freezing water and die. The eggs keep until the temperatures rise, and they can hatch. Females that hibernate may live up to six months.
Mosquitoes might be interesting creatures, but unfortunately they don’t just cause itchy bites, they can also spread deadly diseases.
If you are having any problems with mosquitoes, give Service Master a call to advise and administer the best pest control solution.
