Understanding the Distinctive Traits: Crane Fly vs Mosquito
Discovering an insect buzzing around your home can be quite annoying, especially if it's a mosquito. Given their reputation for spreading disease and pain, it's only natural to be concerned about their presence. However, there's a good chance that the creepy creature causing panic isn't a mosquito, but a harmless insect known as the crane fly. Understanding the differences between crane flies and mosquitoes can help you react appropriately when you encounter them.
Identifying Crane Flies and Mosquitoes
Crane Flies
Crane flies, often referred to as mosquito eaters or mosquito hawks, are pretty common in homes and outdoors, especially in Florida’s humid mashlands. They're known for their long legs and large size, often exceeding 1.5 inches in length. Despite their alarming size, these creatures are harmless to humans.
Crane flies have a straight body and rest with their wings wide open. They are also characterized by their lack of biting mouthparts, a feature that distinguishes them from mosquitoes. Contrary to popular belief, crane flies do not feed on mosquitoes. In fact, adult crane flies consume very little, if anything. They spend their short lifespan (usually 1-2 weeks) mating, laying eggs, and waiting to die. They consume most of the food they need in their life as larvae! Talk about intermittent fasting.
Mosquitoes
On the other hand, mosquitoes are much smaller, typically ranging between 0.10 to 0.50 inches in size. They have a bent abdomen, a needle-like nose or proboscis, and tend to rest with their wings folded flat on their backs.
Unlike crane flies, female mosquitoes do bite and feed on blood from humans and animals. This is because they require blood proteins to develop their eggs. Male mosquitoes, on the other hand, feed on nectar and other plant-derived snacks.
Moreover, mosquitoes are known to transmit several diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, dengue fever, and Zika virus, making them a significant public health concern across the planet. Although Florida’s medical system is equipped to deal with many of these diseases, it’s better to avoid them all together!
Dealing with Mosquito Infestations
While crane flies pose no threat to humans, mosquitoes can be a real issue. Here are some tips to minimize mosquito infestations:
Stay Clean: Keep your yard clean and tidy by raking leaves and grass clippings, picking up trash, cleaning gutters, and trimming overgrown plants near your house. This will prevent mosquitos (and other pests) from making homes for themselves on your property.
Eliminate Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so drain any puddles or other places where water collects after rain or watering plants. If there are any ponds or fountains, make sure there is a consistent flow of water inside to keep them sanitary and bug free.
Use Repellents: Employ mosquito repellents when going outside, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Some sonic repellents can work, but chemical repellents are typically most effective.
Remember, if you're dealing with a persistent mosquito problem, it's always a good idea to call in the professionals. They can identify potential breeding sites and provide effective solutions to keep your home or business mosquito-free.
Contact Orange Pest Control for Professional Assistance
If you're experiencing problems with mosquitoes, Orange Pest Control is here to help. We provide professional pest control services to keep mosquitoes out of your home or business. Whether they're inside your residence or making your yard their home, we can get them out promptly. Contact us today for a free quote.
Remember, not all buzzing insects are mosquitoes. So, next time you spot a large, clumsy insect in your house, take a closer look. It might just be a harmless crane fly. If you see a crane fly in your home, no need to kill it! Unless there’s a serious infestation of them, they can simply be let outside by gently picking them up with a napkin, or corralling them to the nearest window.
To wrap up, while mosquitoes are a known pest and health risk, crane flies are harmless creatures that do not pose a threat to humans. Understanding the difference between a crane fly and a mosquito can save you unnecessary worry and help you make the right decisions when it comes to pest control. So, stay informed, stay safe, and remember that professional help is just a call away.