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What Eats Mosquitoes?

What Eats Mosquitoes

What eats mosquitoes?

  1. Spiders
  2. Lizards
  3. Bats
  4. Dragonflies
  5. Fish
  6. Frogs
  7. Birds

 

Mosquitoes can be considered as one of the top pests that people need to avoid. Not only are they annoying and cause a lot of itching, but they are also prime disease spreaders, which even earned them the title of the most lethal animal in the world. There are many man-made solutions against mosquitoes, but there are also plenty of natural predators that help us control mosquito populations. This begs the question: what eats mosquitoes?

Most of these animals can be found near our homes — in our backyards, in the pond, and even on our ceilings! While they eat mosquitoes on the regular, we don’t notice it enough and take them for granted. Many people would kill or chase these animals away, even if they’re harmless to humans.

If you don’t know what animals in your house are helping you with the war against mosquitoes, we’ve compiled a list of some natural mosquito killers you might encounter. Keep reading to learn more!

 

Spiders

As we all know, spiders love chowing down on insects. Their main diet is comprised of all sorts of insects, mosquitoes included! Any type of spider would enjoy a good mosquito on the menu. If you see a spider web around, you can be sure that any unlucky mosquito that gets caught in it will be spider dinner.

Because they wait for their meals to come to them instead of actively hunting them, spiders don’t make much of a dent in mosquito populations. Adding to that is our tendency to take down the spider webs that we see around the house. However, if we let the spider webs be, then we’d have a natural pest filter around that won’t bother anyone else.

 

Lizards

Lizards

Another common sight in Filipino homes, lizards are also friendly pest munchers. They like to eat insects of all kinds, and they’re always on the hunt. If a mosquito makes the mistake of hovering too close to the ground (or ceiling, or wall, wherever the lizard is!), they’ll become lunch for sure.

 

Bats

There are many types of bats out there, and yes, some of them eat fruit (and blood). But plenty of bats are insectivorous.  They would eat any type of insect as long as they can catch it, and with their flying skills, they can catch almost anything! Their echolocation also helps them locate insects and snap them up even in mid-flight. With a large population of bats hanging around, mosquitoes will always have their numbers reduced at night.

Because they prey on a wide range of insects, bats won’t focus on mosquitoes only. The presence of bats is helpful, but they are not enough to put a damper on that mosquito problem you may have.

 

Dragonflies

Dragonflies

Dragonflies are excellent mosquito predators. First, they have air superiority over them. They can fly faster and have better maneuverability mid-air, with wings that let them zip around at 40-48 kilometers per hour. They also have better vision, the better to see the mosquitoes with. Compared to dragonflies, mosquitoes are lumbering around in the air, easy to snatch up and devour.

Also, since dragonflies like to hang around near water, they prey on young mosquitoes and even mosquito larvae. Even immature dragonflies, who still live in the water, make snacks out of mosquito larvae.

 

Fish

Almost any type of fish would feast on mosquito larvae that they find in the water. But the Gambusia affinis, or mosquito fish, have a particular liking to eating mosquito larvae. They like to do this so much that some pest control agencies use them to get rid of mosquito larvae in affected waters.

 

Frogs

Frogs

If given the chance, adult frogs would most likely eat something else other than mosquitoes. After all, they are too small to fill them up. That doesn’t mean they won’t snap up any mosquitoes with the gall to hover close enough to them. Also, younger, smaller frogs won’t be as picky as the adults, making mosquitoes good targets for them.

Some species of tadpoles have also been known to prey on mosquito larvae, but they rely mostly on plant-based particles in the water. They can, however, compete with mosquito larvae for sustenance if they’re in the same area.

 

Birds

Of course, we won’t forget one of our best allies when it comes to natural pest control: birds. Most birds would be happy to eat a mosquito or two if they come upon them. In the Philippines, the maya or the Eurasian Tree Sparrow is one of the most common birds, and they like to fly after mosquitoes too!

With their sharp eyes and quick reflexes, birds of all kinds will be glad to control pest populations in exchange for a good meal!

 

Key Takeaway

Even though we’ve come up with a list of what eats mosquitoes, they still won’t be enough to combat your mosquito problem entirely. These natural mosquito predators are only there when they want to be, and their diets are not limited to mosquitoes only. While their presence surely helps, solving the problem would call for other measures.

If you’re having mosquito problems, then a professional pest control service should help! Getting in touch with Topbest, the leading pest control solutions provider in the Philippines, is your best bet for losing all your pest problems! You can contact us here for a free consultation!

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6 Things That Attract Flies to Your Home

6 Things That Attract Flies to Your Home

What are the things that attract flies to your home?

  1. Animal carcasses and manure
  2. Rotting fruits and vegetables
  3. Sweet and fermented liquids
  4. Exposed garbage cans
  5. Dirty drains
  6. Other flies

 

Flies are a big problem for most homeowners. Other than the buzzing sounds they produce, they can also cause the spread of viruses and bacteria in your residence. This could cause food poisoning, diarrhea, typhoid fever, and more. To prevent these problems, you should know the things that attract flies to your home. Keep on reading!

 

Animal Carcasses and Manure

Flies love animals—their carcasses and waste specifically. If you have dead rats and mice in your walls, they might attract a horde of blowflies into your home. These pests love to lay eggs in decomposing animals and rotten meat. If you see them in one area, it might be a sign that it’s time to clean up a dead animal’s body.

If you have pets such as cats and dogs, be sure to clean after them. Neglected animal feces left for long periods can attract flies. Aside from this, droppings from critters, rodents, and birds could also add to the problem.

 

Rotting Fruits and Vegetables

Rotting Fruits and Vegetables

Most flies are attracted to moist and organic matter—such as rotting fruits and vegetables! If you accidentally left produce out in the open for some time, it could trigger fruit fly infestation into your home. After preparing your dishes, make sure to clean up and refrigerate any leftovers. Cover any gap in your doors and windows where flies could enter or else you can also contact experts to avail window services. Denver window installation can also help you out in preventing flies that could enter home. If you have compost, make sure that all your ingredients are covered with a top layer of soil to prevent flies from getting to the decaying materials.

Aside from rotting produce, fruit flies are also attracted to ripened fruit. So if you’re waiting for your mangoes to reach the ripe stage, it’s better to keep them in the fridge. Fruit flies can puncture the skin of overripe fruit to feed and lay their eggs.

 

Sweet and Fermented Liquids

Aside from rotting fruits and vegetables, fruit flies are attracted to sweet and fermented liquids. If you have spilled liquids from cola, syrup, liquor, vinegar, and more—you might see these pests in the area. They favor almost anything that goes through the process of fermentation.

As always, clean up any spills after you consume and prepare foods and drinks with fermented liquids on them.

 

Exposed Garbage Cans

Exposed Garbage Cans

One of the most common causes of flies in your home is garbage. They can easily access all of their favorite foods in one place—such as animal carcasses, manure, rotting fruits, vegetables, and more! Most flies lay eggs in moist and decaying organic material so they can propagate. For houseflies, eggs can hatch between eight to 20 hours.

To prevent flies from infesting your home, make sure that all garbage cans are tightly covered. Empty these frequently to prevent the trash from piling—which creates gaps in the lid for flies to penetrate.

 

Dirty Drains

Now that you know that flies are attracted to organic matter, you might understand why they still frequent your home even if you have a clean kitchen. This is because some flies like the bacteria and organic material in dirty drains. This problem can occur if you have a leaky pipe.

To solve this issue, have a professional plumber fix the leak on your drains. Clean these pipes properly to prevent a recurring infestation in the future.

 

Other Flies

Other Flies

Other than the food that attracts flies, you also need to get rid of the infestation immediately to prevent more of them from coming into your home. Flies rest on walls, floors, and ceilings near their sources of food. Sometimes, you might also see flyspecks on these places—which are the stains from their excrement. Flies and their waste attract nearby flies into your home.

If you want to remove flyspecks on your walls, you can combine borax and a water solution to wash the stains off.

 

Key Takeaway

A clean and hygienic home is key to preventing a fly infestation. Cover all the garbage cans, get rid of pet feces immediately, remove traces of food and drinks from surfaces, and clean up the drains regularly.

Now that you know the things that attract flies to your home, you can address an infestation by targeting the root causes! If you have a persistent pest problem, you can contact Topbest—a professional pest control team in the Philippines. You can schedule a free consultation with us by clicking here!

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Signs of Fly Infestation

Signs of Fly Infestation

What are the signs of a fly infestation?

  1. Frequent fly sightings
  2. Dark spots everywhere
  3. Discovery of maggots
  4. Spread of infection and disease

 

If you’re hearing buzzing sounds in your room, this might be one of the early signs of a fly infestation. Having a few of these pests might not be a problem at first but soon you will see them increase in numbers. Other than making it hard for you to do your tasks, these pests can cause food contamination and spread diseases. To determine if you need pest control services for your building, keep on reading to learn more!

 

Frequent Fly Sightings

Frequent Fly Sightings

Frequent fly sightings are one of the most obvious signs of a developing infestation. Most people confuse them with other flying pests such as mosquitos, so it is important that you know what they look like.

Typical houseflies are grayish in color and have black stripes on their hairy body. Other than that, they have a white spot under their red bulging eyes. They’re supported by 6 thin legs and have a pair of translucent wings. Adults are usually about ¼ to ⅛ inches big.

Compared to that, fruit flies are beige or tan in color and their bodies have black rings. They also have red eyes while other species are dark-eyed. Just like house flies, they have 6 stick-like legs and glassy wings. They’re also typically smaller, with more or less ⅛ inch in size.

 

Dark Spots Everywhere

During the day, flies will gather on walls, floors, and ceilings indoors. Outside, they will hang around your fences, garbage cans, and plants in the garden. Because they’re primarily active during the daytime, you will see them resting at night in indoor corners and edges 5 to 15 feet above the ground.

When they’re not around, you may also discover their waste in their favorite areas of your building. These are black spots that are the size of a pinhead. If neglected, these can accumulate into clusters over time. Flies produce feces wherever they land, so if you see high amounts of waste, it might be a sign that you have an infestation.

You can also look for fly waste in your window frames, light fittings, walls, and drainage areas. Pay attention to high and hard-to-reach areas such as above the cabinets and below the sinks.

 

Discovery of Maggots

Discovery of Maggots

House flies have 4 stages in their life cycle. From eggs, larvae, pupa, and adult fly—the process only takes as little as six days. A female house fly can only mate once but they will reproduce up to 6 times, and lay as much as 900 eggs during their life.

These eggs are white in color and usually a millimeter in length. Because they’re hard to see, you will probably spot young flies in their larvae or maggot stage.

Maggots can range from 3 to 9 millimeters long and they’re typically pale white in color. You will often find them in moist and dark areas which are located near their food source. Some of their common habitats include trash cans, rotting food, and animal waste.

 

Spread of Infection and Disease

House flies primarily feed on spoiled food, manure, and trash. When they land on these substances, they carry the pathogens in their body and legs wherever they go. Because one of their favorite places to hang out in is the kitchen, the risk of food contamination is high if you have an infestation.

Some of the pathogens they transmit to humans can cause diarrhea, food poisoning, and dysentery. They’re also known to cause typhoid fever, tuberculosis, gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, and salmonellosis. Viruses and bacteria can be transmitted if you consume contaminated foods, use infected dining utensils, or touch your eyes and wounds after putting your hands on these products.

If you or someone you know recently had one of these conditions, it might be a good time to call pest control services to solve the infestation.

 

Key Takeaway

It might not be obvious at first, but having a fly infestation in your building is a big problem! If neglected, it can lead to health problems that can infect your family, staff, or customers.

If you have one or more signs of a fly infestation, it is recommended to get the assistance of a professional pest control company such as Topbest. We can help you spot these pests’ breeding grounds, find out the cause of the infestation, and eliminate the fly problem.

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Pest Control: 5 Ways to Protect Your Pets from Pests

Pest Control: 5 Ways to Protect Your Pets from Pests

What are the ways to protect your pets from pests?

  1. Consult your veterinarian.
  2. Examine your pets.
  3. Wash your pets regularly.
  4. Keep your surroundings clean.
  5. Get rid of unnecessary reservoir of water.

 

Pest control and mosquito control services aren’t just for humans. These pests don’t merely ravage your home and plague your everyday life—they’re also a menace to your beloved pets. And the worst thing is, sometimes, you won’t know that your pets are being perturbed by these nasty insects until it’s already too late—such as when your dogs or cats are already mottled with bites and howling unceasingly.

This is why, if you’re a pet owner, it’s vital that you familiarize yourself with pest control practices that can safeguard your pets.

If this is your concern, then you’ve come at the right place.

Here are 5 ways to protect your pets from malicious pests!

Consult your veterinarian.

Consult your veterinarian.

Prevention is always the way to go. To keep your pets safe from harmful pests, make sure to consult your veterinarian about pest control practices that are suitable for your pet.

This includes medication, recommended shampoo, flea collar, and so on.

 

Examine your pets.

Awareness is the key. Examining your pets rings especially true after they meandered outside. Pay extra attention to concealed areas near the ears and under the thick fur.

More than that, it’s also important to be cognizant about skin irritations on your pets. Some manifestations are bite marks and red, itchy skin. Another indication is when your pet scratches itself a lot.

Wash your pets regularly.

Wash your pets regularly.

This should be obvious, and should be one of the first things that you take into consideration. Similar to humans, your pet will be less susceptible to acquiring diseases or attracting pests if they are constantly kept clean.

Bathe your pets with shampoo that are designed to keep pests at bay.

More than these, always keep your pet groomed. If your pet has long hair, you can opt to have it trimmed every now and then (especially during summer, when fleas and ticks thrive the most).

 

Keep your surroundings clean.

Fleas are arguably the leading pest that attack unwitting pets. Dogs and cats may acquire fleas after staying outside for a certain period of time, or from coming in contact with other animals. And if your pet transfers the fleas inside your home, then you’re in for a disaster.

Fleas, after all, can immediately multiply and invade bedding, carpet, clothing, and so on., thus you might need to call services such as the Number One Carpet Cleaning in Fulham.

Thus, keeping your surroundings clean includes both the interior and the exterior of your home, especially if you let your pets wander indoors.

For outdoors, frequently trim your yard, since, as you might have guessed, fleas are drawn to filthy areas.

For indoors, you’ll have to religiously vacuum your furniture and carpets. Also, sweep your home as often as you can, especially areas that are confined and hard to reach, such as under the furniture, the narrow spaces between appliances, and so on.

Additionally, always wash any fabrics that your pets come in contact with, such as bedding, clothing, and plush toys. You don’t want your home to be the breeding nest of fleas and other pests!

Get rid of unnecessary reservoir of water.

Get rid of unnecessary reservoir of water.

One of the most well-known advice when it comes to mosquito control is to eliminate standing water in the lingering vicinity of your home, as this is a surefire way to attract mosquitoes in your home.

Small as they might be, mosquitoes are the most dangerous insects of all, especially because of their capacity to quickly spread fatal illnesses. They’re responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, and they also affect millions of people all over the globe. And, of course, they’re also a menace to your pets. It doesn’t help that mosquitoes reproduce at a staggering rate. The best that you can do is to purge them as early as possible, and before they replicate.

As mentioned earlier, you can discuss with your vet regarding the repellent or the bug spray that are suitable for your pets. Also, it’s best that you don’t let your pets prowl during dawn and dusk hours, since these are the times when mosquitoes are most active.

 

Key Takeaway

As it turns out, pest control and mosquito control practices aren’t just aimed to humans. They’re also perfect for your cherished pets.

In order to protect them against the relentless attacks of these insects, it’s vital that you acquaint yourself with important pest control methods.

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7 na Peste na Madalas Makita sa Pilipinas

7 na Peste na Madalas Makita sa Pilipinas

Ano ang mga peste na madalas makita sa Pilipinas?

  1. Langgam
  2. Anay
  3. Daga
  4. Ipis
  5. Lamok
  6. Surot
  7. Kuto

 

Ang mga peste ay isa sa problemang kinakaharap natin ngayon. Hindi mo agad masasabi kung mayroon na bang mga insektong nagtatago sa iba’t-ibang sulok ng iyong tahanan. Kaya naman dapat ay maging kaugalian na ang paghikayat sa pest control.

Ngunit may mga pagkakataong hindi mo na kayang kontrolin nang mag-isa ang mga insektong ito. Kapag nangyari ito ay dapat ka ng humingi ng tulong sa propesyonal na pest control operator para maagapan agad ang sitwasyon bago pa ito lumala.

Ano nga ba ang mga peste na parating nanghihimasok sa mga tahanan?

Tatalakayin ng post na ito ang 7 na peste na madalas matagpuan sa Pilipinas.

 Langgam

Langgam

Kung mahilig ka mag-iwan ng mga pagkain kung saan-saan, kailangan mong mag-ingat dahil baka sinusugod na ng peste na ‘to ang bahay mo.

Maraming klase ang mga langgam. Mahahati sila sa dalawang kategorya o dalawang kulay: itim o pula.

Ang itim na langgam ay madalas matagpuan sa loob ng tahanan. Madalas silang sumisingit sa mga mailiit na butas, lalung-lalo na kapag iniiwan mong nakabukas ang iyong mga pinto at bintana.

Para naman sa mga pulang langgam, sila ‘yung sobrang makati kapag kinagat ka. Karaniwan silang matatagpuan sa labas, sa hardin o ‘di kaya’y sa bakuran.

Kapansin-pansin na bihira mong makitang nagsosolo ang mga langgam. Lagi silang kabilang sa isang hanay o grupo.

Gaano nga ba kalaki ang pinsala na kayang idulot ng mga maliliit na insektong ito? Una ay kaya nilang mamerwisyo ng mga tao. Tapos ay kaya rin nilang atakihin ang mga pagkain mo, lalung-lalo na kung hindi ito nakaimbak nang maayos. At idagdag mo pa rito ang gimbalang pwede nilang maidulot sa mga halaman—minsan ay gagawin din nila itong pagkain.

Buti na lang ay marami namang mga paraan para sugpuin ang mga langgam—mga pest control na kayang-kaya mong gawin bago ka tumawag ng pest control operator. Nangunguna na nga rito ang paggamit ng insecticide. Pero kung masyado nang nakakagambala ang presensiya ng langgam sa iyong bahay at ‘di mo na ito maagapan, dapat ay kumonsulta ka na sa propesyonal na pest control operator.

 

Anay

Mahirap detektahin ang mga anay sa iyong bahay. Ang mga anay ay maliliit na insektong may hawig sa langgam. Nginangatngat nila ang kahoy at iba pang materyales.

Mahirap mang tuklasin ang presensiya ng mga anay sa bahay mo, mayroon namang mga senyales na dapat mong bantayan—ang mga senyales na ito ang magpapahiwatig na nagtatago na nga ang mga anay sa sulok ng iyong tahanan.

Una ay pwede kang humanap ng mga dumi at alikabok na iniiwan nila, o kaya’y isang tambak ng dumi na ginagawa nilang lagusan para mapasok ang iyong tahanan. Kapag binantayan mo ang mga babalang ito ay maaagapan mo agad ang presensya ng anay.

 Daga

Daga

Isa ito sa mga pinakamalaking pesteng nanggigimbala ng mga tahanan.

Ang pinakasimpleng paraan para sugpuin ang mga ito ay akitin mo sila palabas ng iyong bahay o patayin mo sila. Maaari kang maglagay ng pagkain malapit sa isang patibong, lalung-lalo na at madali silang matukso sa pagkain. Maliban dito, marami pang ibang paraan para kontrolin ang mga daga sa bahay mo.

 

Ipis

Isa sa mga pinakakinatatakutang peste ang ipis. Marami ang nanginginig sa takot masilayan lamang ito—lalung-lalo na ‘pag nagsimula na itong lumipad.

Madalas matagpuan ang ipis sa mga madidilim na lugar; dagdag mo pa rito ang sulok na puro dumi, kalat, at tubig. Ang mga pagkaing iniiwang nakatengga ay pwede ring mang-akit sa ipis. Buti na lang ay may pest control para padaliin ang pagsugpo sa pesteng ito.

 Lamok

Lamok

Ang mga lamok ay lumilipad na insektong sumisipsip sa iyong dugo sa bawat pagkakataong mahahanap nito. Madalas silang mangagat ‘pag gabi o ‘pag ikaw ay nasa labas.

Maliban sa pagiging makati, ang kagat ng lamok ay maaari ring maglaganap ng iba’t-ibang malubhang sakit, kagaya na nga lang ng dengue at malaria.

Karaniwang natatagpuan ang mga lamok sa lugar na may tubig. Ugaliing ‘wag mag-imbak ng tubig at magpahid din ng mga produktong kontra sa mga pesteng ito (kagaya na lang ng lotion).

 

Surot

Hindi ganon kalaganap ang mga surot, lalung-lalo na kung ikukumpara mo sa ibang peste. Pero importante pa ring maagapan silang kaagad.

Madalas silang nakikita sa mga kutson, karpet, at iba pa.

 

Kuto

Ang kuto ay isa ring peste na mahilig ding sumipsip ng dugo. Matatagpuan sila sa ating ulo, kung saan naaakit sila sa dumi ng buhok. Parehong tao at hayop ang pwedeng maapektuhan ng kuto.

Mabuti na lang ay mayroon ng mga shampoo at ibang produktong kontra sa kuto. Maaari ka ring gumamit ng suyod—isang suklay na ginagamit para alisin ang kuto sa iyong buhok.

 

Konklusyon

Hindi na bago ang peste sa Pilipinas. Maraming tahanan na lang ang ginagambala nito araw-araw. Kaya naman importante ang maging pamilyar sa mga pesteng madalas sumalakay sa iyong tahanan at alamin ang nararapat na pest control na pwede mong gawin. Mahalagang maagapan mo ang mga ito bago pa lumala ang sitwasyon.