Mosquitos are one of the most common group of insects in our midst. The winged insects are notorious for the disease-causing pathogens that some of them spread as well as being a cause of major irritation. Either way, mosquitoes are not pleasure to be around. Therefore, controlling their spread is pivotal in maintaining a healthy and serene environment.
Given the threat they pose to one’s well-being and comfort, you might wonder how much you have to spend in order to keep them away. This article will help you understand the various mosquito treatment methods and their associated cost.
Let’s take a look at the different methods use by mosquito exterminators.
1. Fogging
This is a method whereby a mosquito fogging machine is filled with oil-based insecticide and sprayed around your yard as tiny insecticide droplets. It is an effective method when you need a quick fix that will keep the mosquitos away for a short while. A disadvantage to this method is that it lasts only a few days. It also doesn’t have the ability to kill mosquito eggs (larvae). Therefore, live mosquitos will be killed by fogging but as soon as the eggs hatch, it’s back to square one.
2. Misting
Misting is similar to fogging in that it makes use of the spraying technique. However, it lasts longer because of the slow releasing nature of its chemical make-up. The droplets used by misting are a bit larger than the tiny droplets used for fogging.
3. Larvicides
This is a type of insecticide used mosquito treatment. It works by killing mosquito larvae before they can grow to be dangerous adult mosquitos. Larvicides can come in either liquid or tablet and granular forms. The liquid larvicides are applied to stagnant water using a sprayer while tablets, pellets and granules are placed into laying areas. There are three types of larvicides; namely:
- Bacterial Larvicides
- Oils and Films
- Insect growth regulators
– Bacterial Larvicides (Bacillus thuringiensis) has been in use for the purpose of mosquito control for over three decades. It is found in the soil and is toxic to mosquitos and some other insects.
Saccharopolyspora spinosa is also found in the soil. It is the bacterium from which the larvicide Spinosad is derived from. Bacillus sphaericus is another bacterium found in the soil which is toxic to some mosquito species.
– Oils and Films – Mineral oils and films when applied to stagnant water spread a thin layer over it, thereby suffocating the surface breathing larvae. This is a very effective method which is used by many professionals. It also helps in killing mosquito pupae (mosquitos in the stage between egg and adult)
– Insect Growth Regulators – Examples of these, are Methoprene and Pyriproxyfen. Growth regulators stop the larvae from growing into adults.
4. Fumigation
This is when an area, usually indoors, is completely filled out with gaseous pesticides in order to completely eradicate a pest or group of pests. It is a thorough and effective process which ensures lasting results. The house is fully tented so as to not let anything in or out. Therefore, everyone who lives in the house along with their pets and plants must move out temporarily to avoid harm. The process is also known as tenting.
* How much do these mosquito control methods cost
– Fogging and Misting – The average cost of fogging and misting will range anywhere from $85 to $160 per visit, with an average of around $125.
– LarvicidesThis cost about $110 on average.
– FumigationOn average, fumigation will cost anywhere from $100 to $1900.
* Factors that affect mosquito treatment cost
Although there are average projections as far as pricing goes, that doesn’t mean that all situations will have the same cost. Here are some factors that affect how much one might spend on mosquito control.
1. Size of the property
Though this may sound pretty obvious, the bigger the area you want treated is, the more you would be likely to spend. Mosquito-treating just your garden will cost a lot less than fumigating your whole house for a week.
2. Frequency of treatment
Most infestations will require more than just one visit by the mosquito exterminator. They would most likely need to come at regular intervals in order to be able to gradually make the area mosquito-free, but here lies the issue of expenses. The more visits your property needs, the more you would have to pay.
3. How serious the mosquito infestation is
The more severe the infestation, the more time and effort is going to be required by the mosquito pest control company and therefore, the more money you’d have to pay. Less severe infestations won’t cost you much but dire cases will have you reaching way deeper into your bank account.
4. Type of treatment
Are you trying to prevent an infestation or cure an existing one? Prevention usually costs a lot less due to the fact that the situation isn’t too vigorous or threatening. Therefore, you wouldn’t need to break the bank.
Curative measures, however, are more expensive because the threat is imminent and you might be at risk if you do not get rid of it. A few visits from the service provider might be needed, each of them coming at a price.
5. How experienced is your pest control provider?
Experience counts in any field of work. It usually means the person or company has honed their craft and managed to stand the test of time. This naturally makes their service worth more. A newer mosquito service company might have not yet garnered the credibility or experience and therefore might cost less. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t as good. It all depends on how much research you do on who’s services you want to pay for. You can request a mosquito service quote from top mosquito exterminators near you.
6. Location
Some regions have a higher cost of living in general, and as a result, mosquito control services in those areas would be more costly, and for that reason, your location within the country will have an impact on the exterminator cost.
* What to do when you can’t afford professional mosquito control?
it is important to seek the right type of remedy for an infestation or in prevention of one but the truth is not everyone will be able to pay for these services at every point in time. For that reason, there are do-it-yourself remedies that can help you live a mosquito-free life without necessarily out-spending yourself.
1. Garlic
Garlic is a great mosquito repellent. Just crush a few cloves of garlic and boil them to disperse the smell around your house or put this solution into a spray bottle and spray the bugs away.
2. Lemon and cloves
This is a simple remedy for smaller spaces. Cut a few lemons and place some cloves on top of them and the mosquitos will stay away.
3. Camphor
This is a waxy, colorless solid made by distilling the bark and wood of the camphor tree. They are very effective as mosquito repellents. All you have to do is leave a few pieces of it in an open container and the scent they release while evaporating keeps mosquitos away.
4. Eliminate all stagnant water around you
Stagnant water is where the little culprits lay their eggs and therefore the genesis of every infestation. Getting rid of stagnant water in your yard and other places (in tyres, for example) will ensure a household with less mosquitos.
5. Mosquito nets
These are a very common home remedy. When well installed, they keep mosquitos away from you and ensure you sleep peacefully. Some can be treated with insecticides so they repel mosquitos. This way they don’t even come close to you. Nets are a very effective protector and can even add a touch of style to one’s room.
6. Lavender
Mosquitos are repelled by the scent and oil that can be extracted from lavender leaves. Crush fresh lavender leaves to extract the oil. Apply this oil to areas of your body that mosquitos are likely to attempt biting (arms, legs, etc.). the great thing about lavender in addition to being able to repel mosquitos is its soothing effect on the skin.
7. Cinnamon oil
This has been known to be able to kill mosquito larvae and repel adult mosquitos. All you have to do is mix a little bit of cinnamon oil to water (quarter of a teaspoon to every four ounces of water) and spray on your skin, clothes or around the house.
8. Thyme oil
Thyme oil is a great mosquito repellant. It has been tested on mice and has seen a 91% protective rate with 5% of it applied on skin. Thyme leaves can also be thrown into a campfire to ensure protection for some amount of time. To spray, add 5 drops of thyme oil to every 2 ounces of water.
* Mosquito control
Whichever method of mosquito control you fancy, always remember the importance of doing it right as your well-being may depend on it. the worst thing you could do is to ignore an imminent mosquito threat because you never know what type of mosquitos you might be dealing with and the different pathogens, they might expose you to by being in your space. Therefore, get rid of that stagnant water, clean up your yard, call up that exterminator and prevent even before there comes a need for exterminations.
