If you spend much time outdoors in Kent around this time of year, you might notice that the mosquito situation is relatively strong this year. As the large body of water that sits practically in our backyard, Lake Meridian has many residents questioning if this lovely feature of nature is the source of those pesky buzzing visitors in droves.
Kent has a highly urbanised environment intertwined with natural water sources, which is the ideal breeding ground for mosquito activity. With an average rainfall of 38 inches yearly and summer months that frequently reach 75-80°F, the city has plenty of moisture and warmth from warm-blooded animals in which to breed.
Lake Meridian may add to our mosquito count, but your complication may be closer to home than you realize. Suppose your area has a chronic mosquito issue. In that case, you might want to consider contacting Kent pest control near me to help resolve your immediate mosquito issue and give you advice on long-term prevention solutions.
Hidden Breeding Grounds Around Kent Homes
-
Standing Water in Unexpected Places
It might shock you to know that mosquitoes do not require a giant lake to breed. In a few days, even a bottle cap with some water inside will become a mosquito nursery. The most frequent breeding sites around homes in Kent include blocked gutters, out-of-sight plant saucers, and those ornamental bird baths that have not been scrubbed for weeks.
-
Neglected Maintenance Areas
Outdoor faucets that leak leave puddles that last a few days, and poorly drained areas adjacent to air conditioning units stay moist for the long haul. A tarp over your boat or RV, even just a tarp, can collect rainwater and be a breeding ground.
-
Landscaping Features Gone Wrong
Mosquito control can also be a challenge in Kent, due to the dense landscaping of a home. Garden beds that are overwatered, ornamental ponds without circulation, and rain gardens that hold water and never drain also add to the issue.
What Makes Lake Meridian a Mosquito Breeding Zone?
-
Size and Shallow Areas
Lake Meridian is about 150 acres, giving ample space for mosquitoes to breed. The shallow periphery of the lake and marshy areas provide nursery habitats where water can warm quickly, and vegetation offers protection for developing larvae.
-
Natural Ecosystem Factors
The lake’s ecosystems support mosquito breeding due to their combination of organic matter, algae growth, and protected coves. Water filled with fallen leaves and plant debris provides nourishment for mosquito larvae, while the lake’s surface is so still that the eggs survive, unlike in flowing streams or rivers.
-
Weather and Seasonal Patterns
Data from Kent’s climate shows that peak mosquito season lasts from May to September and that the area gets roughly 6 inches of rain during this period, which is enough to keep Lake Meridian whole year-round. With a large surface area, the lake holds heat longer than smaller water bodies, prolonging breeding well into fall. By late spring, water temperatures in the shallow areas of the lake can rise to 70°F, signalling the first significant hatch of mosquitoes of the season.
Tackling the Problem at the Source
Most homeowners immediately turn to DIY methods, and can you blame them? After all, who does not want to save some money? You see results immediately from bug sprays and citronella candles. However, those methods are effectively just band-aids since they do not target the source of mosquitoes.
The more challenging part is to identify and eliminate breeding sources. But mosquitoes also like to lay eggs in out-of-the-way places, such as gutters filled with decomposing leaves, storm drains that retain water after rain, and under decks in wet earth.
Professional pest control, such as United Pest Solutions’ insight, knows about these invisible breeding habits. Their detailed property inspections pinpoint both known and unexpected areas that contain mosquitoes. They tackle the root causes that allow mosquitoes to swarm around Kent homes rather than just treating the symptoms of the problem.
