First Choice Mosquito Control can take care of your pesky mosquito problems.

Mosquitos are annoying and the reason many people in Florida have given up outdoor activities, or even leaving the house at certain times of the day, however these annoying little beasts can also cause sickness and sometimes death through the diseases they carry.

In extreme situations high levels of mosquitos can pose a threat to livestock and wild animals as well. The economic impact that mosquitoes can cause is staggering for such a tiny little insect.

Are Mosquito Borne Diseases a Problem?

• According to the World Health Organization mosquitoes infect over 300 million people a year with Malaria and Dengue, just two of the life threatening diseases mosquitoes can carry.

• According to WHO of those 300 million 800,000 will die from Malaria and another 20,000 from Dengue.

• In Africa alone where mosquito control efforts are severely lacking, businesses have reported that work absences related to mosquito borne diseases cost them $12 billion a year in lost productivity.

• According to the CDC in the United States alone since 2001 over 30,000 people have been infected with West Nile Virus. Of those 30,000 infections 1,200 have resulted in death. Excluding the cost of mosquito control efforts by governmental agencies the cost of WNV related health care alone in the US was estimated at $200 million dollars in 2002.

What diseases are mosquitos responsible for:

Zika Virus:

In Florida the Zika Virus has not yet been a huge problem although there have been several cases reported throughout the state. More than likely the mosquito species to blame is the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes Albopictus). This species breeds entirely around the home so it is more important than ever to empty those containers and rid your yard of standing water.

The situation with Zika Virus is one that is changing constantly so for answers to your questions about Zika Virus you can call our office or go to the CDC information page on the current status of Zika Virus in the US: CDC Page: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/

West Nile Virus:

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes mild to severe illness. It was first identified in Uganda in 1937.

WNV was first introduced to the United States in 1999 in New York and reached Florida in 2001.  Since its initial detection, human cases of WNV have been reported in all U.S. states with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. The virus is now considered endemic in the U.S., with annual epidemics in some parts of the country, peaking in the late summer months. WNV has seemed to subside slightly since 2012. WNV normally starts out as a bird disease, it is then passed around from bird to bird in the wild by mosquitoes.

Humans are infected when a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird then turns around and feeds on a human. WNV is not transmitted from human to human but rather from bird to mosquito to man, with man being an accidental or dead-end host. People over the age of 75 are at the greatest risk for succumbing to the severe form of the disease known as neuroinvasive WNV.

Most healthy persons who contract the disease will experience the less severe form of the disease known as West Nile Fever and make a full recovery.  WNV looks like it is here to stay in Florida and is now officially considered endemic (native) to this state.

St. Louis Encephalitis:

Saint Louis Encephalitis is another arborviral disease found commonly in the United States. Much like West Nile Virus SLE is maintained in the bird population by mosquitoes with man being an accidental or dead end host. As with WNV man is infected when a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird also feeds on a human host. SLE can affect persons of any age however the effects are usually far more severe in those above 60 years old.

The most severe SLE epidemic in recent times was the one that rolled through the Mississippi River Valley in 1975. A total of 1,941 human cases were recorded 95 of which resulted in death. Many SLE epidemics have been documented in North America.  In 1990, there were 223 cases in Florida.  Since the introduction of WNV, SLEV activity has decreased dramatically.  Research has suggested that WNV infection may provide some immunity to SLEV in birds.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis:

Eastern Equine Encephalitis much like WNV and SLE is a viral infection maintained in the wild by a bird to mosquito to bird cycle. Horses are involved with man as dead end host meaning they cannot transmit the disease between themselves. Of the many mosquito borne diseases EEE is the deadliest mosquito borne disease to occur in the US with a 30% fatality rate for those infected. Half of those who survive the infection are stricken with various degrees of mental disability and paralysis. People younger than 15 and those older than 50 are the most prone to infection although EEE can affect persons of any age.

The virus can be found in the eastern, Gulf and north-central areas of the United States. It is also in regions of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Most activity occurs between May and August but it can be seen throughout the year in Florida.

Typically one or two human cases are reported each year in Florida (range 0-5).  The state averages over 60 reported cases of equine EEE each year. In years when conditions favor the spread of the EEE, the number of reported equine cases can exceed 200. EEEV is not believed to have the potential to cause a human epidemic in Florida.

Mosquito Control vs. Mosquito-borne Disease Prevention

Mosquito control and mosquito-borne disease prevention are not the same. Mosquito control involves reducing populations of mosquitoes, which might possibly lead to a reduction in the number of mosquito bites in a given area. Mosquito-borne disease prevention involves personal protection - wearing mosquito repellent. So, what is the difference between the two? With mosquito control, preventing every mosquito bite is not the goal; with mosquito-borne disease prevention, individuals take responsibility to protect themselves from any mosquito bite.

Mosquito Trapping Devices

Many mosquito trapping devices are based on generating carbon dioxide (CO2) to lure the mosquitoes to the device. Once in the vicinity of the fan on the device, the mosquitoes are sucked up into the device and into a collection bag where they will die.

The CO2 baited traps will catch mosquitoes. However, even an impressively large collection, a “bag full", may be a minute percentage of all the blood-seeking females in the area and this will not likely impact large populations of mosquitoes. There is no evidence at this time that mosquito traps can play a noticeable role in the decline of mosquito populations.

As with other such products, "buyer beware" is still good advice.

Ultrasonic Devices

Ultrasonic devices include products that are designed to be worn around the neck or wrist, or attached to a belt, to repel mosquitoes. The devices create sounds that mimic male mosquitoes or dragonflies and theoretically will "frighten" the female mosquitoes. These claims are unsubstantiated. Female mosquitoes in search of a blood meal do not fly away from male mosquitoes; and neither males nor females retreat from areas where dragonflies are present.

In August 2002, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged a Florida company with making false and unsubstantiated claims in advertising for the MosquitoContro products.* These products are battery-operated, cost from $10 - $20, and include a bracelet, a key chain, and a tabletop model. According to the FTC, there is no competent or reliable evidence to support the claims made for the products, and that the claims are false.

Bug Zappers

Bug zappers use ultraviolet light to lure mosquitos into a trap that will electrocute them. These devices attract many types of insects such as moths and beetles. Studies have shown that these devices do not reduce the number of biting mosquitoes, and they kill other types of insects more often than they kill mosquitoes

Bats and Purple Martins

Bats and purple martins eat mosquitos; however, just like most organisims, they have a varied diet. Species that rely on one source of food can quickly be eliminated if there is a shortage or complete halt to their food supply. Mosquitoes make up only a very small portion of the diet of bats and birds. There is no evidence that any bird or bat can effectively control mosquitoes when they are at or near peak abundance. It is not prudent, especially during times of high risk of exposure to any mosquito-borne disease, to rely on birds or bats to control mosquitoes. There is no doubt that they will consume them, but not in sufficient numbers to demonstrate an appreciable reduction of biting mosquitoes.

Professional Mosquito Control


• Proper identification of the pest species
• Considerations of the behavior of various species
• Weather monitoring

Why is surveillace and precise identification of target species important?

• Effective and efficient mosquito control programs respond to mosquito density. It is inappropriate to apply an insecticide to kill adult mosquitoes if there are no adult mosquitoes present at the time of the application.


• Any application without surveillance and decision making by pest professionals, leads to inappropriate applications. Inappropriate applications can contribute to insecticide tolerance and resistance in insects and may contribute to environmental problems.

At First Choice Pest Control we make sure to keep up to date on the latest methods of how to alleviate mosquito problems in the Tampa Bay area for both business and residential areas.

Let our experts help you get back outside to enjoy life in the beautiful Florida sunshine!

First Choice Pest Control knows how to rid your home or business of all types of pests including mosquitos. Call First Choice at 813-948-0835 or CONTACT US today to schedule a no-obligation quote and get rid of those pesky pests TODAY!

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First Choice Pest Control in Tampa, Florida - (813) 948-0835