Mosquitoes

Why do I have a problem with mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water. In fact, water is necessary for their reproduction efforts. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs on top of standing water and it is also where the larvae develop. Examples of places on properties where standing water can accumulate include wading pools, birdbaths, pet water bowls, buckets, flower pots, the tops of tarps, low-lying areas in the ground, and clogged gutters.

Both male and female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar as their main food source so properties that have a lot of flowering trees and landscaping are highly attractive to mosquitoes.

Most mosquitoes are active and dawn and dusk and hide out in overgrown vegetation and tall grasses during the heat of the day. If your lawn is not kept trimmed and you have overgrowth, you’re likely to attract mosquitoes.

Do mosquitoes bite?

Female mosquitoes bite, but male mosquitoes do not. Only the females bite people and animals in order to have a blood meal. The female mosquito requires the protein that is found in blood to develop her eggs. Since it is only the females that bite and feed on blood, it is also only the female mosquito that transmits diseases to people and animals.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Mosquitoes have the potential to be quite dangerous. In many parts of the world, they transmit serious diseases to people and animals. Some mosquitoes in Washington state are vectors for West Nile virus, western equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis.

While the Zika virus has made national headlines in recent years, the types of mosquitoes that spread this virus are not found in Washington. For more information about areas with Zika risk and how to protect you and your family if you travel to those areas, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes can travel great distances while in search of food or a blood meal. That makes it impossible to completely rid your property of these biting pests. Professional ongoing mosquito control in Central Washington will significantly reduce the adult mosquito population and treat breeding sites so that mosquitoes cannot reproduce. For more information about our mosquito control services, please contact Prosite.

How do I prevent problems with mosquitoes?

In addition to the implementation of professional mosquito control services in Ellensburg and the surrounding area, Prosite also recommends the following tips can help you to prevent mosquito bites when the weather is warm.

• Eliminate standing water on your property
• Keep gutters clear of clogs and debris
• Fill in low-lying areas in your lawn
• Mow your lawn often and remove overgrowth
• Replace or repair screens over windows and doors
• Avoid going outside when mosquitoes are most active
• Use repellent to deter mosquitoes