Bug Control Mosquito Madness

By Heather Stickney

( SPONSORED CONTENT) – Spring is often associated with the renewal of life, including the reemergence of mosquitoes – much to most people’ s dismay.

Increasingly, homesteaders, ranchers and acreage property owners are looking for natural ways to control mosquito populations on their land, which starts with an understanding of the mosquito lifecycle.

You’ re probably familiar with the saying,“ April showers bring May flowers.” The phrase originated in the United Kingdom, where April is historically one of the wetter months. In the Northern Hemisphere, the position of the jet stream changes in early spring. As it moves northward, it steers storm systems across the United States. Snow turns to rain as temperatures rise. With an increase in rain shower activity, plants begin to grow, and flowers start to bloom. The beauty of spring replaces the gloom of winter, making it more enjoyable to spend time outdoors.

Although rainwater is ideal for supporting plant growth and flowers, it can also invite unwanted guests into

AcreageLife. com outdoor areas. Standing water left behind by rainfall can quickly become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The Dangers of Mosquitoes

Most of us have experienced a mosquito bite and the reaction it causes in the form of an itchy, red bump. Although this reaction is unpleasant, bites can lead to more serious consequences.

These insects are considered disease vectors and can carry and transmit disease from one living organism to another. In humans, these conditions can include viruses such as malaria, Zika, West Nile and dengue fever. Mosquitoes can also transmit infections that dogs and horses are susceptible to, including heartworms and eastern equine encephalitis.

All these maladies can have disabling effects and may even lead to death. In fact, mosquitoes are widely regarded as the world’ s most dangerous animal because of their ability to spread disease.

Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite? They require a blood meal to produce their eggs before laying them in water. The eggs hatch when exposed to water, and the larval stage of the mosquito lifecycle begins.

April 2025 AcreageLife 43