Mosquito control is not solely about spraying. Spraying for mosquitoes is the most expensive and least effective approach in mosquito control. We view this as a last resort. Preventing is the most important task of mosquito control.
Only female mosquitoes bite, this is because they need proteins found in blood to produce eggs for reproduction.
There are 4 stages in a mosquito’s life cycle, including: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
The larval and pupal stages are of the most concern. Preventing larvae and pupae from becoming adults is not only the best way to control mosquito populations but also the most cost-effective approach in mosquito control.
There are over 65 different species of mosquitoes found in VA/NC. Over 20 of these species are found regularly in the City of Portsmouth!
10-15 problem species found in Portsmouth are possible vectors for diseases including, West Nile Virus, EEE, and even heartworm disease in dogs.
Portsmouth and Norfolk was subjected to a yellow fever epidemic in the 19th century. This epidemic was one of the worst recorded epidemics in history killing 1 out of 3 people in the cities.
Many people fled from the area heavily damaging the 2 cities' reputation as one of the greatest port cities in the country. The epidemic was solely caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito that infected the citizens with yellow fever. There were other yellow fever epidemics throughout the south but this one proved more deadly by proportion. Mosquito control is very important for this reason alone in preventing the chance of a mosquito borne disease outbreak. To read more about this tragic epidemic, visit our page on fever and pestilence in 1855.