Mosquito Season is Ramping Up! More tips for keeping your cool with mosquitoes
As the weather gets warmer and the humidity increases, our friends the mosquitoes make their way up and out to find the food the fits the mood.
Although mosquitoes in DC often are considered pests, mosquitoes are actually pollinators. The mosquitoes need nectar as sugar for energy. They feed on nectar and in the process of feeding, pollen sticks on the body and hairs of the mosquito. As they fly from flower to flower the pollen transfers and the mosquito unknowingly assists with pollination.
Why do we get bit by mosquitoes?
The female mosquitoes need protein in order to develop their eggs. In order to get that protein, they seek out blood. Male mosquitoes do not bite and only drink nectar. We get bit by the female mosquitoes in order to help them make eggs.
What can I do to avoid getting bit by mosquitoes?
We want to be clear that the usage of pesticides completely goes against the purpose of creating a pollinator habitat. The usage of pesticides and the improper usage of pesticides, when used, is one of the largest threats to our pollinators. DC Natives mission is to help conserve pollinators and preserve habitats/ecosystems while educating the community on the importance of pollinators and beautifying DC along the way.
We previously posted on how to create a “Mosquito Bucket of Doom” but in the event that you haven’t had great success with the mosquito bucket method, DC Natives has partnered with Biogents, which is a spray-free approach to fewer mosquitoes by drawing mosquitoes into traps with the usage of carbon dioxide. Click the link to learn more about how Biogents mosquito control system works.
While the mosquito bucket of doom is one of the least costly ways to reduce mosquitoes, Biogents has been kind enough to provide the DC Natives community with a discount on Biogents mosquito traps and control stations.
We encourage you to review the information on the Biogents website if you’re interested on one of their mosquito control products. Otherwise, the mosquito buckets of doom are still a safe and effective way to reduce the populations of mosquitoes in your garden or yard.
Additional Resources:
The University of Maryland has provided a session on mosquito control through the City of Hyattsville.