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Mosquito infestation in Cambridge
Mosquito infestations
There are over 60 species of mosquitos in Ontario! However, only 4 genera are common pests.
Only female mosquitos bite, as they need blood to nourish their eggs before laying them. Upon hatching, the mosquito larvae live in aquatic environments until they mature and make their way to land.
As such, mosquito treatments either focus on exterminating the larvae in water, or the adults on land or in the air. Treatments vary, but the larvae are often treated by adding a type of natural bacteria, BTI, to water. The byproduct of these bacteria are uniquely toxic to mosquitos and other biting flies with aquatic larvae.
Adult mosquitos often take shelter in tall grass and in shaded areas until dawn or dusk, when they are most active. This is the location where adult mosquito extermination is focused. The treatment of adult mosquitos can involve natural repellents derived from garlic, or quicker acting pesticides of varying composition.
Different species of mosquito mature at different rates, making mosquitos (and their bites) a threat during Spring, Summer, and even Fall. So, a mosquito infestation in Cambridge, or any other place in Ontario is something that must be fought against at any point when adults or larvae are active.
Black fly infestations
Black flies are insects of the family Simuliidae, who like mosquitos, rely on sucking blood to feed their young. There are over 160 species present in Canada.
With bites that are significantly more painful than mosquitos, black flies are the ultimate enemy of summertime enjoyment. Agile and good fliers, they are much more resilient than mosquitos.
Unlike mosquitos who prefer stagnant water, black fly larvae can only survive in running water. This means that their larvae are only found in rivers and streams, so removing old puddles will not reduce their population. On the plus side this means that since most people do not have rivers on their property, it is mostly a battle on one front: exterminating the adults.
Despite looking nothing like mosquitos, mature black flies behave similarly. Black flies are most active at dusk and dawn, and prefer to rest among tall grass and other plants that offer shade.
Ticks and mites
Similar to mosquitos in that they require blood, ticks and mites are more closely related to spiders.
Ticks are wingless arachnids that live in tall grasses and bushes, which attach themselves to people and pets in order to bite and drink blood. Ticks are the main reason for the spread of Lyme Disease in humans, so their extermination is a massive priority.
Mites are a larger group that includes ticks, but also parasites like chiggers. Chiggers are almost invisible to the naked eye, and can cause patches of tiny bites that resemble rashes. Mites are part of the orders Acariformes and Parasitiformes. As the name suggests, these are parasites that rely on the blood of others to survive.
In addition to the biological and chemical treatments used for adult mosquitos and blackflies, tick and mite extermination can also include a sweep of problem areas.
Sweeps take advantage of their natural instinct to attach themselves to passing objects. Instead of attaching to humans, a sweep will trick them into attaching themselves to a net. It is then quickly destroyed with the pest inside.
Tick, black fly, and mosquito infestation in Cambridge or its surrounding areas is relatively common, especially in gardens or on large properties.