Complete guide for mosquito control in Singapore

Mosquitoes at home and Dengue Fever have been a top concern and worry among the public in Singapore. With the increasing dengue cases reported in Singapore, Rentokil Pest Control shares the complete guide on how to prevent Dengue in Singapore with a mosquito control programme.

Complete guide agenda covers the following:

• The different types of mosquito species
• What is Wolbachia mosquito?
• What attracts mosquitoes around us?
• What smells do mosquitoes hate?
• What do mosquitoes feed on to survive?
• When are mosquitoes most active in Singapore?
• Find out diseases caused by mosquitoes
• Where are the common mosquito breeding places?
• Mosquito Eggs - Can you see mosquito eggs?
• Raising awareness on the signs of mosquitoes infestation
• Learning more about Dengue Clusters in Singapore
• Four types of dengue strains including the Denv-3
• How to prevent mosquito bites and health risks
• What we need to know about mosquito bites
• Debugged some common mosquitoes pest myths
• Engage mosquito control treatment
• How much does mosquito control cost?
• Adopt useful mosquito prevention tips

The different types of mosquito species

Aedes Mosquitoes

• Body has black and white markings
• Breeds in clean, stagnant water
• Active and bites at dawn
• Spread diseases such as Dengue Fever and Zika

Culex Mosquitoes

• They possess pale and dark markings on their wings
• Prefers dirty and polluted stagnant water
• Typically surface and bites at night
• Spread diseases such as Japanese B Encephalitis

Anopheles Mosquitoes

• Have similar pale and dark markings on the wings like the Culex Mosquitoes
• Targets sea water and swamps
• Active and bites at night
• Spread diseases such as Malaria

Interesting facts about mosquitoes

What is Wolbachia Mosquito?

A Wolbachia mosquito refers to a male Aedes aegypti mosquito that is carrying the Wolbachia bacteria - an organism that naturally exists in many insects and cannot survive outside of its insect host. Wolbachia mosquitoes are the latest innovation in Aedes suppression technology. As Aedes mosquitoes do not naturally carry the Wolbachia bacteria, scientists will microinject it into the eggs so that they will eventually hatch into Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes. When male Wolbachia mosquitoes mate with the urban female of the species, their resulting eggs will not hatch - thus reducing the number of Aedes mosquitoes in urban environments.

What attracts mosquitoes to us?

Ever wonder why some places tend to attract more mosquitoes? What actually attracts mosquitoes to a person or space?

• Presence of carbon dioxide we exhale
• Body heat and warm emitting from our body
• Perspire and lactic acid – usually after an activity or exercise
• Bacteria found on our skin
• Dark coloured attires and clothing

Do blood type affect mosquito bites? Studies have shown that individuals with O Type Blood Group may be at higher risk of attracting mozzie. Read more on the blog article featuring why we are attracted to mozzies. 

To find out more on who are at risk of attracting mosquitoes for a feast? Find out more here.

Mosquitoes often hate strong citrus scents as they interfere with their olfactory senses. That is why many people often recommend using essential oils such as lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus, and peppermint as pest control as they can mask the scents mosquitoes are attracted to - which are components in human sweat. However, this pest control method has limited efficacy as it just moves the mosquitoes to another location. Moreover, the smell will wear off after a while, allowing the mosquitoes to return.

What smells do mosquitoes hate?

Mosquitoes often hate strong citrus scents as they interfere with their olfactory senses. That's why many people often recommend using essential oils such as lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus, and peppermint as pest control as they can mask the scents mosquitoes are attracted to - which are components in human sweat. However, this pest control method has limited efficacy as it just moves the mosquitoes to another location. Moreover, the smell will wear off after a while, allowing the mosquitoes to return.

What do mosquitoes feed on to survive?

Water and moisture is a common food source for all pest types, including mosquitoes. Besides water and nectar, mosquitoes, particularly female species, require protein through blood meal. This also explains why they bite us, to suck blood for their reproduction purpose. During this process, they may potentially be infected from a carrier and spread these diseases as they continue the process to humans.

When are mosquitoes most active in Singapore

Mosquitoes, especially the Aedes variety, are most active in warm climates - which is all year around in Singapore. From May to September, when it is generally even warmer here, mosquitoes are even more active. On a day-to-day basis, their peak biting periods are in the early mornings and evenings. In fact, they are active in the daytime that makes individuals working from home at risk of contracting dengue fever through mosquitoes bites. In addition, warmer climates allow them to thrive better, thus reducing their life cycle stages, thus developing into an adult faster.

What are some diseases mosquitoes cause?

Mosquitoes causes red, itchy bumps on our skin after a bite. At times, they may cause swell, blisters or allergy.

Some mosquito-borne diseases include the commonly known diseases such as Dengue Fever and Zika. Here is a summary of both Dengue symptoms and Zika symptoms.

Dengue Fever

Symptoms

• Sudden high fever and severe headaches
• Pain behind the eyes
• Severe joint and muscle pain
• Skin rash
• Fatigue, with nausea and vomiting

Zika

Symptoms

• Fever
• Sore eyes with conjunctivities
• Joint pain
• Rash

Where are the common mosquito breeding places?

Mozzie starts from breeding. They go through a life cycle of eggs, to develop into a larva, and eventually, pupa develops into a full-grown adult flying mosquito. Here is a list of common mosquito breeding sources that you can eliminate

Indoor

• Potted plants in the living room or balcony
• Flower pot trays and plates used to house plants
• Ornamental containers or vase used as home décor
• Containers or pails used for housekeeping or domestic cleaning
• Toilet bowls and cisterns
• Undisposed stagnant water collected in the home

Outdoor

• Potted plants displayed at courtyard, garden and car pouch
• Gully traps
• Roof gutters
• Drains and grease traps
• Discard receptacles that stores uncleared stagnant water

Every homeowner has to play his or her part to be aware on how to control mosquito breeding. They can exercise diligence in being more aware of their home facility condition. They can start to remove stagnant water opportunities by emptying critical items that is capable of storing water.

Potential causes of mosquito breeding

Mosquito Eggs - Can you see mosquito eggs?

While mosquito eggs are visible to the naked eye, they are very small and can be better viewed through a magnifiying glass. That's why it is important to remove standing water so that mosquitoes do not get a chance to lay their eggs.

Raising awareness on the signs of mosquitoes

To protect yourself and your family, especially homes with young and elderly, is to raise awareness on detecting mosquitoes signs. Some common signs include

• Physical adult mosquitoes buzzing around you in the home
• Suffering from mosquito bites and rash
• Sighting of larvae in collected stagnant water along drains, mosquito breeding items, ponds etc
• High pitch buzzing sounds around your ears

Learning more about Dengue Clusters in Singapore

There are certain parts of Singapore that have more dengue cases compared to others. Dengue cluster is defined with an area with activity of more than 2 dengue cases within a 14 days period. There are 3 alerts, including the red alert comprising 10 cases or more, yellow alert with 10 cases and below and lastly, green alert, meaning no new dengue cases for the next 21 days period.

For more info on Dengue Clusters in Singapore, click here.

Four types of dengue strains including the Denv-3

Singapore is embracing a rising high number of dengue cases weekly of up to 400 cases that are contributed from several factors. It includes the wet and hot weather than promotes receptacles and faster development of the mosquito life cycle. Other conditions include the mosquitoes’ resistances to chemicals and daily activities that drive mosquito population.

In recent months, there has been a surge and emergence of a less immunity driven virus of Denv-3. Among the four viruses, the common categories include the Denv-1 and Denv-2 and these serotypes behave differently with our immunity and antibodies. Besides combating the current pandemic of COVID-19, we are vulnerable to the Denv-3, particularly if the majority are working from home and expose our risks to mosquito bites in the day- time. Read more on everything you need to know about dengue cases in Singapore here.

How to prevent mosquito bites and health risks

There are steps to take to prevent ourselves from getting bitten by mosquitoes. Firstly, you can apply mosquito repellent especially when you are engaged outdoors, such as the garden and field. It helps cladding in long sleeves or pants for fitness to protect skin contact from female mozzies. Keep yourself cool and dry after an activity and it is always useful to choose light colours instead. For those at home, you can choose to install a mosquito screen to keep mozzies away. Unsure what does a mosquito bite look like? Read more on what is bugging you with the different bites.

What we need to know about mosquito bites

While we recognise getting those bites and easily manage them with itch relief creams and avoid scratching them, there are more facts essential to mosquito bites. Rentokil shares some essential facts about mosquito you need to know, and by raising more awareness about these bites, you can protect yourself further

• Bites are itchy because the saliva that is released through the bite contains an anti-clogging effect. Due to our own body defence mechanism, it causes a reaction which is the itch and bump
• Mosquitoes bite us without us realising later due to its analgesic effect and their speed of flight that makes notice less visible
• We can get target by mosquitoes due to its receptors and thus we can get frequent bites as they are able to track us down
• Only female mosquitoes bite to seek their blood meal; however, they should not be mistaken for midges that have certain similarities.
• Majority are at risk of mosquitoes bites, however, those who emits body heat and lactic acid are at higher risks

Debugged some common mosquitoes pest myths

With the internet and all readily available information, there are various do it yourself (DIY) home remedies for mosquitoes shared. From using spices such as bay leaves, basil and garlic to essential oils or fragrances such as lavender, eucalyptus to rosemary, but one common choice of natural ingredient is lemongrass. The question is we are all curious if lemongrass repel mosquitoes. Dr Chan, Rentokil Initial’s medical entomologist discusses its properties and helps in blocking mosquitoes scent sensing. However, the dosage level is not efficient enough to get rid of mosquitoes in an adequate manner. Read more pest myth article if lemongrass is the most effective mosquito repellent.

Debugged Pest Myth: Lemongrass vs Mozzie

What can be used to eliminate mosquitoes at home?

One of the most effective methods of eliminating mosquitoes would be to use repellents and get rid of standing water as they can become breeding sites for mosquitoes. You also set up baits and traps as a way to catch and eliminate mosquitoes. As traps have to be placed strategically so that they can catch mosquitoes effectively, you should consult a professional pest control service to help with effective mosquito control solutions.

Engage mosquito control treatment

As homeowners, how can we control mosquitoes and ensure the safety of the family? What can I spray for mosquito control? Is there any insecticide we can use, similarly how we spray and eliminate ants and cockroaches? Mosquito eradication methods covers both indoor and outdoor to ensure adequate protection and reach. To ensure we consider the lifecycle of a mosquito, an integrated mosquito control program requires water-based fogging to eliminate adult flying mosquitoes and larviciding to remove any breeding mosquitoes. Placing mosquito traps is also essential to trap the remaining mozzies that could be flying from external or neighbouring sites.

Besides taking care of mosquitoes externally, we should not neglect indoor mosquito control as well. This is because mozzies can fly in through any possible entries such as windows, balcony, gaps, crevices and ventilators. Mosquitoes travel and cross infestation happen as they constantly seek hosts like you for blood meals. Hence, to protect yourself further, you can install an indoor mosquito trap to lure and trap mozzies in your home. Enquire more about the Mosclean indoor mosquito trap.

Read more on a mozzie treatment innovation that spreads active ingredient to control mozzies efficiently.

Integrated Mosquito Control Treatment

How much does mosquito control cost?

Cost of a programme is determined by a few factors.

• Coverage area if both internal and external spaces are treated, perimeter and area size
• Frequency of treatment, if weekly, fortnightly or monthly service is required
• The type of treatments delivered, covering all 4 essential control methods or basic service
• Are additional protection required, i.e. placing more traps at strategic locations
• Utilising environmentally-friendly solutions
• Read more on average pest control cost in Singapore

Adopt useful mosquito prevention tips

Mozzies can come around from anywhere and everywhere. They may fly in from your neighbouring sites, ventilation and windows. You may catcha mosquito situation outdoors. In fact, even at outdoor alfresco dining could be a possible risk location. In short, we tend to come into regular contact with mosquitoes, and unfortunately, there is no best natural remedy for mosquitoes. Can pest control get rid of mosquitoes? Mosquito management requires both individuals and the company to optimise control synergy. However, you can adopt useful mosquito prevention tips to keep infestation at bay.

• Remove breeding source
• Be mindful of your facility maintenance
• Place mozzie traps and window sills
• Engage pest control services for elimination and protection
• Use repellents and apply personal protection with covered attires outdoor

Call Rentokil Singapore at 6347 8138 for an integrated mosquito control programme today.

Topics that people also ask

Are mosquitoes a problem in Singapore?

Mosquitoes have been a rising problem in Singapore due to a few factors

• Weather that influences the population and growth of mosquitoes
• Urbanisation that promotes breeding and presence of mozzies in and out of a building
• Increase in traveling or exposure to potential Aedes Mosquitoes clusters or location, that spreads infection around
• Growing preference in gardening and planting, that raises risks of stagnant water and mosquito breeding
• The need to heighten and increase awareness of integrated mosquito control problem
• Taking care of indoor infestation and not just the external

Can pest control get rid of mosquitoes?

Pest control companies can get rid of mosquitoes breeding through larviciding treatment and eliminating adult mosquitoes through water-based fogging. Remaining mozzies that could potentially fly to other hiding spaces can be controlled and trapped with mosquito traps. However, residents have to play their part by eliminating any mosquito-breeding source, engage in proper mosquito control programme and be more aware of mosquito infestation signs.

What is the most effective mosquito control?

There are various mosquito control methods available in the market. These treatments are typically used to target the different lifecycle of mosquitoes and under different environments. They include:

• Mosquito fogging or thermal fogging: Generally carried out at the external areas to target adult mosquitoes within the treated area.
• Larviciding: This treatment helps to reduce an infestation in mosquito hotspots and clusters by killing the larvae using mosquito dunks and micro granules.
• In2Care Mosquito Trap: This outdoor mosquito trap effectively reduces mosquito population by controlling the entire lifecycle of mosquitoes to prevent new ones from emerging. The In2Mix solution within the trap is also effective in contaminating adult mosquitoes to create a domino effect in eliminating the mosquito population within a cluster and hotspot.
• Mosclean Mosquito Trap: Using the UV LED technology to trap mosquitoes indoors without any use of harmful chemicals or gas.

What diseases do mosquitoes spread?

Besides the commonly-known dengue fever and Zika virus, mosquitoes can also spread diseases including Chikungunya and Malaria. Besides common symptoms, these diseases can also be life-threatening. Read more about common diseases transmitted by mosquitoes here.

Midges in Singapore

Midges are attracted to nectar and humans as well, largely carbon dioxide and body warm. Commonly found near swampy or moist area, they may bite and suck blood from humans and pet. Even though they need protein blood meal, they are different from mosquitoes.