 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
|||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mosquitoes
and Profanity! I estimate that mosquitoes cause one-fifth of all the profanity in the world! I made this scientific calculation while sitting in my backyard last year with some friends. It was a beautiful evening, just about dusk. Temperatures were perfect, no wind—Ideal for a barbecue. All at once the high-pitched drone of swarms of hungry mosquitoes could be heard approaching our picnic. Then pandemonium struck and I was able to conduct my profanity experiment. Not only are the bites of mosquitoes a real nuisance when one is trying to work in the garden or relax in the yard but mosquitoes are also implicated in the transmission of many serious diseases. We have more than 50 species of mosquitoes in Indiana most of which bite and some of which can transmit serious illnesses. Weather conditions this year have set the stage for a bumper crop of pesky and dangerous mosquitoes. Our seemingly relentless rains have flooded farmlands and filled ditches and low areas with stagnant, water especially in the southern part of the state. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. A female mosquito (interestingly, only the females bite) that has taken a blood meal uses those nutrients to nourish up to two hundred eggs that she lays in stagnant water. Depending on the temperature of the water, eggs may hatch in as few as 3 days. The resulting wrigglers can themselves complete immature development in as few as 10 days to become adult mosquitoes. The males fly off to feed on the nectar of tiny flowers, but the female mosquito is immediately bloodthirsty. She is a very effective search agent, zeroing in on hosts using temperature as well as carbon dioxide gradients, to guide her. Once mosquitoes locate a potential host, they will persist until they either are successful in biting or become the target of a well-placed swat. Either way, the net result is often an addition of several colorful words to the English language. How can we help control these pests? Understanding the basic requirements of developing mosquitoes allows us to help manage their populations. Understanding the connection between water and mosquitoes is the key. Professionals can monitor wetlands and drain or treat areas that are in need. However, a surprising number of mosquitoes develop right under our own noses. Thousands of mosquitoes can develop in a small, forgotten container of water, discarded tire or clogged rain gutter, right in our own back yards. These mosquitoes don't have to fly far to find us. Remember that mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in as few as 10 days. Anything that can hold water, a birdbath, a wading pool, an old bucket, or a clogged storm drain, is a potential breeding spot. These need to be emptied on a regular basis, discarded, or adjusted such that they do not collect and hold water. Discarded tires are a prime mosquito habitat because they cannot easily be drained. Clogged rain gutters are difficult to monitor, but should be inspected yearly. Understanding the water/mosquito connection and taking steps to decrease these potential mosquito breeding sites will go a long way in saving outdoor recreation events and mosquito repellent, and will help preserve our English language in its more pure form. |
 |
|
|
More Information 
Quick Facts Not only are the bites of mosquitoes a real nuisance when one is trying to work in the garden or relax in the yard, but mosquitoes are also implicated in the transmission of many serious diseases. We have more than 50 species of mosquitoes in Indiana most of which bite and some of which can transmit serious illnesses. |
||
 |
 
Garden Flowers
Fruits & Vegetables
Lawn Care
Landscape Plants
Insects, Pests, & Diseases
Indoor Plants
The information contained in this web site
is specific to the state of Indiana and may not apply in other states.
|
