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THE NAME “MOSQUITO”
THE NAME “MOSQUITO”
The Spanish called the mosquitoes “musketas,” and the Native Hispanic Americans called them “zancudos.” “Mosquito” is a Spanish or Portuguese word meaning “little fly” while “zancudos,” a Spanish word, means “long-legged.”
Key characteristics include:
Key characteristics include:
Scientific name: Culicidae
Because there are over 3,500 different mosquito species, the exact scientific name depends on the specific type
Common name: Mosquito
Habitat Preference: Standing or slow moving water for breeding. Dense vegetation, shaded areas and tall grass for resting.
Activity: Most active at dawn and dusk. Some species are active at night. Less active during the hottest parts of the day.
Mosquitoes are insects belonging to the order Diptera, the True Flies. Like all True Flies, they have two wings, but unlike other flies, mosquito wings have scales. Female mosquitoes’ mouthparts form a long piercing-sucking proboscis. Males differ from females by having feathery antennae and mouthparts not suitable for piercing skin. An Adult female mosquitoes lay 50–200 eggs at a time. Larva live in water and can develop into an adult mosquito in as few as 7 days.
Only the Ladies bite
Only the Ladies bite
Only female mosquitoes require a blood meal and bite animals - warm or cold blooded - and birds. Stimuli that influence biting (blood feeding) include a combination of carbon dioxide, temperature, moisture, smell, color and movement. Male mosquitoes do not bite, but feed on the nectar of flowers or other suitable sugar source.
Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?
Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?
Short answer: Yes, more than most people realize. Mosquitoes are considered one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet, not because of their bite, but because of what they carry. Here in Tucson we take that seriously. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases between animals and humans, and some of those diseases have no treatment at all. Here's what we're dealing with:
West Nile Virus — Present right here in the Sonoran Desert. Most people won't show symptoms but 1 in 150 who contract it develop serious and sometimes life threatening illness. There is no cure.
Zika Virus — Particularly dangerous for pregnant women. Babies born to infected mothers can suffer severe developmental conditions.
Malaria — Cases are on the rise globally, with hundreds of thousands reported annually, mostly affecting children.
Dengue Fever — Responsible for roughly 25,000 deaths every year worldwide.
Yellow Fever — Named for the jaundice it causes. Like several mosquito borne illnesses, there is no treatment once infected.
Chikungunya — Causes severe joint pain that can linger for years with no available treatment.
Globally around 700 million people contract mosquito borne illnesses every year. One million of them don't survive it.
How We Handle Mosquitoes
Mosquito control isn't a one and done treatment. Because they breed in standing water and populations rebuild quickly, effective control means staying ahead of the cycle, not just reacting to it.
Here's how we approach it at Desert Rose:
Inspection First
We start by walking your property and identifying breeding sites. Mosquitoes only need a bottle cap worth of standing water to lay eggs, so we look at everything. Gutters, flower pots, birdbaths, low spots in the yard, anything holding water.
Targeted Treatment
We treat resting areas like vegetation, shaded spots and fence lines where mosquitoes spend most of their time. We use products that are effective against adults while also targeting larvae before they ever get the chance to develop.
Ongoing Protection
One treatment helps but a seasonal plan is what actually keeps populations down. We'll work with you to set up a schedule that makes sense for your property and keeps your outdoor spaces usable all season long.
What You Can Do Between Visits
Empty and refresh standing water weekly. Keep gutters clean and draining properly. Trim back dense vegetation where mosquitoes like to rest during the day. These small habits make a real difference.
Tucson summers are already tough enough. You shouldn't have to fight mosquitoes every time you step outside. If you're ready to take back your yard, we're ready to help
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