One of the drawbacks of living in southern Arizona is bugs – and one of the peskiest? The mosquito! Taking a look at the common myths about mosquitoes in Tucson can be helpful. Another way to effectively deal with this flying invader is to call our skilled technicians at Pest Friends.

Get To Know Tucson Mosquitoes

These pests still appear in the desert; they lay their eggs in the water left behind from monsoons. Most folks may know mosquitoes are annoying and can inflict bites that leave a lingering itch, but what may not be common knowledge is that these bugs can be dangerous. Various myths surround the mosquito; differentiating fact from fiction is a good step towards controlling this invader.

Pima County is primarily home to a couple of types of mosquitoes:

• Aedes Aegypti: Also known as the yellow fever mosquito, adults of this species measure anywhere from four to seven millimeters in length. The abdomen is a darkly-colored, and the thorax features a white stripe. Back legs appear dotted with white patches or stripes. 
• Culex Mosquito: This unpopular pest is usually found exhibiting a shade of gray, making it harder to spot as it flies. Other colors that may be seen on this insect include white, blue, green, and silver; their scales can also have somewhat of a shimmer.

Myths & The Real Facts

Myth#1: All Mosquitoes Bite

Anyone who’s ever tried enjoying a backyard barbecue just before the sun sets has probably had to swat away more than one mosquito. There could be what seems to be like millions of these biting pests attacking homeowners and their guests at first glance.

Fact: It may seem every single one of these pests is out for blood, but that isn’t the case. Some types of mosquitoes may not even bite humans at all. It is only the females of species found in Tucson that bite. These hungry ladies need the protein found in human blood to be able to produce and lay eggs.

Myth#2: Fair-Skinned People Are More Likely To Be Bitten

It may seem that those with light skin may be more visible, thus have a bigger target on themselves. However, this fallacy is just another one of the common myths about mosquitoes in Tucson.

Fact: Fair-skinned folks are not necessarily more attractive to mosquitoes. When comparing a dark-skinned person versus a light-skinned person who has both been attacked by mosquitoes, the person with fair skin will appear to have been bitten more as bites show up more clearly on lighter flesh.

Myth#3: All Mosquitoes Carry Disease

Are all of these nasty insects disease spreaders? It is prudent to be cautious of any biting bug, but clarify the facts before getting too alarmed.

Fact: While mosquitoes can certainly spread diseases like the West Nile virus, yellow fever, chikungunya virus, and dengue virus, there is only a fraction of this species that do. Tucson residents should note that mosquitoes found in their region can spread such diseases, so proper precautionary measures are recommended.

Myth#4: Attracting Bats Effectively Reduces Mosquitoes

Ever heard that installing some bat boxes around the property is an easy way to control the mosquito population?

Fact: Welcoming bats may reduce the insect population, but this method is not geared for treating a mosquito infestation. Depending on the particular species, bats find beetles, moths, and worms more to their liking and dine on mosquitoes to a lesser degree.

The Real Fact: The best way to reduce mosquito populations is to call the mosquito control experts at Pest Friends. Forget the common myths about the mosquitoes in Tucson and turn to the pros who can assist in this type of pest control.