Author Archive: Dave Macchia
Central Mass Mosquito Control | Mosquito Protection > Articles by: Dave Macchia
Dave Macchia
October 24, 2023
mosquito sprays, mosquito surveillance, Mosquitoes
mosquito control, spraying for mosquitoes
Why stop spraying for mosquitoes in the fall months? The rationale behind ending mosquito spraying in Worcester during this period is largely based on the natural life cycle of mosquitoes. As temperatures begin to drop in late summer and early fall, mosquito activity dwindles. Mosquitoes become less active and are less likely to pose a nuisance or disease transmission risk. By late September or mid October, the mosquito population is usually on the decline in Worcester.
Dave Macchia
December 30, 2022
Mosquito Control, Will our cold weather snap eliminate mosquitoes?
cold weather, eliminate mosquitoes, mosquito control
Christmas weekend was cold, no doubt. But was it cold enough to kill off mosquitoes? We shook and shivered like no other through the recent holiday weekend. Are mosquitoes hearty enough to have survived? Here in Central Mass, the low temperature reached single digits on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Some of us had to take safety measures for our outdoor animals during this cold snap. How on Earth could small animals and insects survive it?
Dave Macchia
October 18, 2022
Massachusetts Pests, Stink Bugs
Massachusetts pests, mosquitoes, stink bugs
It is not likely that stink bugs will infiltrate and remain inside your home, but you cold certainly experience an infestation of in your basement, crawl space, attic, or inside your walls. Out in nature, they will overwinter in leaf debris, hollow logs, or other areas, where they will be insulated from the cold.
Dave Macchia
October 12, 2022
Mosquito-Borne Diseases, West Nile Virus in Massachusetts 2022
West Nile Virus, West Nile virus in Massachusetts 2022
Do we have cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts this year? We do have a few cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts in 2022. As of October 4, 2022, the CDC reports that Massachusetts has had five confirmed cases and no deaths this year. This is half the number of confirmed cases in Massachusetts for 2021.
Dave Macchia
August 19, 2022
Mosquito Bite
blood type O, blood type O negative, mosquito bite, universal donor
Universal donors, type O-negative, could be on mosquitoes’ menus. There are positives to having type O-negative blood. Though you can only receive O-negative blood, you can donate to anyone. Ask the American Red Cross, and they’ll tell you. Your blood type is in high demand. But can this blood type make you a tastier treat to mosquitoes?
Dave Macchia
August 19, 2022
Mosquito Bite
Is that a mosquito bite?, mosquito bite
As part of nature’s plan, all wildlife has ways of protecting themselves and their territory. Insects, such as mosquitoes, bees, ants, fleas, flies, wasps, and arachnids, may bite or sting if you get close. Most won’t bother you if you don’t bother them. But not all. Mosquitoes will bite you because that’s part of their grand plan. They need blood meals to reproduce.
Dave Macchia
August 19, 2022
Mosquito Control
mosquito control
Drought-like conditions result in less mosquitoes, but is it enough to depend on Mother nature for mosquito control? If you’ve heard it from me once, you’ve heard it many times. Mosquitoes love water. They need it – desperately. It is the catalyst for laying their eggs and increasing their population. These insects thrive in wet, hot climates, and are most likely to bite us in the early morning hours and early to late evening when the sun is not as intense.
Dave Macchia
August 4, 2022
Mosquitoes, Why are there so many mosquitoes in my neighborhood?
mosquitoes, why are there so many mosquitoes
Central Mass residents are no strangers to droves of mosquitoes. Perhaps you have noticed that you do not encounter as many when visiting friends or family outside your neighborhood. Maybe that has clued you in on the mosquito problem at your own home. If you thought that mosquitoes were just running rampant everywhere in Central Mass, you might now be wondering how there can be so many mosquitoes around your neighborhood alone. Here are a few reasons you could be seeing more mosquitoes this year.
Dave Macchia
July 29, 2022
Is West Nile virus in Massachusetts in 2022?, Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
West Nile Virus, West Nile virus in Massachusetts 2022, Worcester MA West Nile virus
West Nile virus was confirmed for the first time this year in Massachusetts on July 14, 2022. Mosquito samples are collected throughout Massachusetts for disease testing. On July 14, a sample taken from Easton MA was found to have carriers of West Nile virus. Should Massachusetts residents be concerned with this recent finding?
Dave Macchia
July 26, 2022
Mosquitoes
mosquito buzz, mosquito noises, mosquitoes buzz
Ever wonder how tiny mosquitoes make that baby buzz saw noise when they swarm around your head? Crickets rub together parts of their wing anatomy. Grasshoppers rub their legs together to produce sound. Mosquitoes buzz with the rapid flapping of their wings – with movement of about 350 to 700 flaps per second.