Do you know what is larking around your house? Mosquitoes yes I said Mosquitoes. But did you know that mosquitoes pose a greater threat to man’s health than any other pest. More than 175 species exist in North America and at least 60 of those have been identified as disease carriers. Malaria, Yellow Fever, Encephalitis, and most recently, West Nile Virus. The West Nile Virus is most common in our area of Texas. We hear of more and more new cases everyday.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne illness. Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms. However, some infections can result in serious illness or death

Mosquitoes must have water to live and breed. It is important to remove or change water in such items and areas as:

• pet dishes
• bird baths
• storm drains
• gutters

FACTS

• Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth
• Only female mosquitoes bite humans and animals; males feed on flower nectar
• Some mosquitoes don’t bite humans, preferring other hosts like amphibians or birds
• Mosquitoes fly at speeds between 1 and 1.5 miles per hour
• A mosquito’s wings beat 300-600 times per second

Now’s a great time to remind you of the four D’s

• Drain and dump standing water
• Dusk and dawn are the highest risk times for mosquitoes
• Dress in long sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors
• DEET is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent

Have a pest problem that we haven’t covered here? Just give a call at 1-817-558-PEST (7378) and talk to a Double D representative, or