Mosquitoes are insects that belong to the family Culicidae. Unlike other insects that are easier to ignore, mosquitoes strive to annoy us and spoil the spring and summer period, and their activity increasingly continues into the autumn.
In addition to being very annoying, they are also significant because they transmit various diseases that can be life-threatening to humans and animals (West Nile Virus, Malaria, Dengue). Over 10 million people die from these diseases worldwide each year.
Characteristics of Mosquitoes
There are over 4,500 species of mosquitoes on the planet, and more than 30 species can be found in Serbia. In Belgrade alone, more than 20 species of mosquitoes have been observed.
Mosquitoes have several stages in their life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult mosquito). The first part of their life is spent in water (where their development begins), and after that, they develop and emerge as adults.
Therefore, the simultaneous presence of moisture and warmth is extremely important for the emergence and reproduction of mosquitoes.
There are various genera of mosquitoes, some of which develop near rivers where they can wait for several years in the egg stage until the water level rises (or overflows), while others develop in stagnant or slightly moving waters such as canals and ponds.
Interestingly, large swarms can also develop in barrels and watering cans, discarded cans, clogged gutters of residential and other buildings, as well as old and discarded car tires.
Just one barrel of water where mosquito larvae can develop is enough to produce and threaten a small settlement.
If you notice large swarms of mosquitoes around your house in such places, you can contact us by calling 011/319-4411, and we will give you advice on how to best solve this problem.
Only females bite and suck blood to form eggs. Some species of mosquitoes can lay eggs without consuming blood. One adult female mosquito lives for 40 days and can produce 4 batches of 400 eggs during her lifetime - a total of 1600 eggs.
Male mosquitoes do not bite or consume blood; they exist solely for mating and feed on plant nectars, living on average only 6 days. Mosquitoes hibernate in all developmental stages, and in spring, with the appearance of the first nice days, their further development and reproduction begin.
How to Prevent the Appearance of Mosquitoes?
We are witnessing climate changes that also affect the appearance and abundance of mosquitoes, so the periods when mosquitoes begin their development are becoming earlier, and they also transition into a dormant period later (warm and humid summers, mild winters).
Controlling mosquitoes begins while they are still in the larval stage (the first part of their life is spent in water), using various chemical and increasingly biological preparations that are safe for humans, animals, fish, and other aquatic life.
Once the larvae develop into adult mosquitoes, control measures are carried out using devices from the ground or air.
Mosquitoes cannot be completely eradicated, but proper control measures can reduce their numbers and keep them under control.
Therefore, in addition to measures taken to control mosquito populations, personal protective measures against mosquito bites (as potential vectors - disease carriers) should also be taken, such as installing nets (mosquito screens) on windows, avoiding staying in nature during their peak activity times (in the morning and evening, when summer is most pleasant), and using repellents – preparations that can repel mosquitoes with their scent and can come in various forms: sprays, sticks, oils, candles.
