Mosquitoes
The Sunshine State is undeniably one of the most beautiful spots in our country. Enjoying its warm, tropical beauty comes with a few perils, though, because Florida has plenty of dangerous animals. We’ve got spiders such as the Brown Recluse and Black Widow; giant alligators stroll around our golf courses, and we’re overrun with pythons and other venomous snakes. Then there are the man-eating sharks and toxic jellyfish hunting our coastal waters.
Florida is positively teeming with the number one most deadly animal on the planet, but surprisingly, it is not one of the creatures mentioned above. You don’t have to roam through the jungle, wade through the swamp, or go for a swim to encounter this one—all you have to do is open a window or step out your front door. It’s the mosquito.
Mosquitoes take the lives of millions of people annually, more than any other creature in the world because of the numerous diseases, parasites, and viruses they transmit. This includes malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, Dengue fever, Yellow fever, encephalitis, and many more. They’ve caused more fatalities than all the wars in history, famines, and natural disasters combined. They’ve been here for almost 200 million years and have not changed very much at all from their prehistoric ancestors. They still have just two purposes: breeding and feeding their eggs with our blood.
There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes globally, and at least 80 of them have been identified in Florida alone. Of course, we Floridians don’t seem to do anything on a small scale. Our potholes are yard-swallowing sinkholes, our rain showers are hurricanes, and our mosquitoes are monsters. No doubt, you’ve seen a popular bumper sticker declaring the mosquito as the “state bird.” While that may be a joke, it may not be quite so funny when you consider that the scale is about right. Florida is even home to the enormous Gallinipper Mosquito, which is a full 20 times the average mosquito size. You might just need a tennis racquet instead of a flyswatter for that one.
The CDC has stated that everyone is at serious risk and has issued multiple warnings stressing the importance of protecting yourself against mosquito bites. They advise you to use insect repellent, cover up from head-to-toe, and make sure your home is sealed up tight. While this may be sage advice, in the perpetually warm, humid environment like Florida has, where mosquitoes thrive year-round, it is not really enough. The outdoor living spaces around North Port are veritable breeding grounds for these blood-thirsty, voracious pests (who can smell you from at least 30 feet away). Luckily, however, there is more you can do than try to follow the CDC’s guidelines. Many Florida residents choose to employ the services of a professional pest control company for mosquito control. Only a pro can effectively help you protect the perimeter of your home and put a plan of action into place to minimize this ongoing threat.
When you need an expert in the North Port area, there’s none better than Over-A-Cheever Pest Control. We are the leading specialists with over ten years’ experience in mosquito extermination. We’re family-owned, friendly, affordable, and dedicated to serving you with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Give us a call, and let’s talk about what we can do for you today.