Bo McInnis President of Houston Misting A local mosquito expert answers questions and offers tips to residents about controlling mosquitoes in the Tomball and Magnolia areas.
Why are mosquitoes attracted to water?
An adult mosquito lays the eggs on the water. Those eggs hatch and become larva. The larva lives off the phosphates in the water. It later becomes a pupa before emerging from the water as an adult. However, mosquitoes are not aquatic animals but develop in the water. In the pupa stage, a mosquito will still have to come up to the surface for oxygen. If you cut off the oxygen source, the mosquito suffocates.
Why do some areas attract more mosquitoes than others?
It is not about attracting mosquitoes, but it is about breeding them. A lot of people don’t realize a lot of the areas they have [are] breeding mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are generally found in standing water, such as in clogged gutters and drains or near a broken water fountain.
How can residents protect themselves?
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. The more you can avoid those times of the day, the less likely you will be to come in contact with them. If you do go out at those times, scientists and anthropologists suggest wearing dark-colored clothing or long sleeves and pants. They also recommend using a mosquito repellent with deet.
