LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas residents could soon see more mosquitoes for a couple of reasons.
Not only has the recent rain been good for them, but it's also the start of their prime season.
"They really get kicked off in May,” said Ian Adams with Adams Pest Control. “They'll continue to be a problem all the way through October and sometimes in November."
Adams said standing water can lead to mosquitoes in places like gutters and bird baths.
"Any containers that you have on your property that you can empty the standing water out of will eliminate that as a breeding site,” Adams said.
Richard Sims of Curry's Termite and Pest Control said mosquitoes can breed in areas as small as a bottle cap.
Sims said even though Americans usually only think of mosquitoes as annoying, they've claimed a different title worldwide.
"Mosquitoes are actually the deadliest insect in the world,” Sims said. “They kill more people than any other insect."
Sims showed us how his company fights mosquitoes, including spraying insecticide in areas with a mist blower.
Sims said his company is careful not to hurt helpful insects like bees.
"[We don't] treat flowering bushes and trees," Sims said. "We can exclude and prevent pollinators from being affected by our applications."
For more tips on keeping mosquitoes away from your home, Sims also mentioned using essential oils to ward off mosquitoes in the yard.
And, of course, wearing long sleeves and pants also helps to prevent bites.
Fighting mosquitoes has become more relevant than ever in some Southern states.
In recent weeks, states like Texas and Tennessee have reported cases of the West Nile Virus, which is spread by infected mosquitoes.
So far, no cases have been reported in Arkansas.