Even though the skies above our heads are empty with air traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately this does not mean the flight schedule of the infamous “Cattail mosquito” won’t be picked up on the radar. Late June extending into Early July signals the 2-4 week stretch that Cattail mosquitoes will be using this open airspace to create a disturbance, while on the other hand many regions won’t experience their presence.
We all want to avoid mosquito bites in our own backyards, but how many of us actually take the proper precautions when push comes to shove? Apart from just blasting your skin with a repellent when you’re spending time outside, there’s a lot of simple things you can do to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes this season. Preparation is key, if you will.
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in North America - a great initiative that we at mosquito.buzz are honoured to take part in every year. Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be transferred to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Ticks become infected with Lyme disease by feeding on infected wild animals such as deer, birds, and small rodents, many of which can spread throughout the country by hitching rides on the backs of migratory birds.
With spring in full bloom, disease-carrying ticks are starting to wake up for the season in Canada, posing a risk to any potential host they find on wooded trails, public parks and even our own back yards.
Don't let their tiny stature fool you; ticks can present a BIG problem for humans and pets alike, with diseases they can carry like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever causing harmful and potentially long-lasting symptoms when spread to humans through their bite.
Serious about tick-proofing your outdoor haven? Check out our branded tips below.
There are dozens of tick species found across Canada, but two of the most common (and notorious) are American Dog Ticks and Blacklegged Ticks.
Now more than ever, we understand just how important your outdoor spaces are going to be for you this spring and summer in the Ottawa region. Instead of being driven away from your backyards and into your bedrooms because of pesky and potentially dangerous ticks, we want you and your family to spread out and enjoy your precious spaces this season, worry-free.
Understanding the different stages of the mosquito’s life cycle can help prevent and effectively eliminate populations before they become a problem around your property. All mosquito species have four distinct stages to their life cycle: egg, Larvae, Pupa, and Adult, though the length of the cycle is dependent upon environmental conditions such as temperature and moisture.
After a long summer of swatting mosquitoes and checking loved ones for ticks, many Canadians are itching for winter to start and pest season to end. While your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes and ticks in cold Canadian weather are slim to none, it's not because they've gone the way of the snowbird and fled to Florida. Many species are still technically around, having gone dormant until warmer weather returns. Let's learn more!
Life is too short not to stay outside in the summer! Camping with friends and family can be a fun and rewarding adventure, but with the risk of mosquitoes and ticks, it’s important to stay safe and follow the proper precautions. You know, the ones outlined by your friendly neighbourhood mosquito.buzz!
There are approximately 2500 species of mosquitoes across the world and roughly 82 of those species can be found here in Canada. One mosquito species of particular interest is the Coquillettidia perturbans, aka the “cattail mosquito”. Aside from being a major nuisance, the cattail mosquitoes are vectors for many diseases, including West Nile virus, and Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, among others.
