Phoenix is a city of desert views and glowing sunsets. Many people choose to live in high-rise apartments in Downtown Phoenix or Midtown to stay above the dust and the heat. There is a common belief that if you live on the 10th or 20th floor, you are too high for bugs to find you.
People think mosquitoes only stay near the grass or the canal water. However, many residents are surprised to find itchy bites while sitting on their balconies at night. To keep your home comfortable, you should have a professional check your building and balcony today.
Mosquitoes are much better at traveling than most people realize. They do not just fly in a straight line from the ground. They find many clever ways to reach the top of the tallest buildings in the Valley. Protect your living space and call Green Mango Pest Control today!
Hitching a Ride in the Lobby Elevators
The most common way mosquitoes reach the top floors of a Phoenix building is by taking the elevator. These pests wait in the shaded areas near the front doors or the parking garage.
When a resident or a delivery person walks inside, the mosquito follows the movement of the air. They are very good at slipping through the doors just before they close. When the doors open on a high floor, the mosquito flies out into the hallway. It stays in the quiet corners of the building until a tenant opens their apartment door.
This is why you might see a mosquito in your kitchen even if you never open your balcony windows. They use the building’s own systems to move from the street to the penthouse in just a few minutes. This “hitchhiking” behavior is one of the main reasons that height does not stop a mosquito invasion in a busy city.
Balcony Misting Systems and Potted Plants
Many Phoenix residents use misting systems on their balconies to stay cool in the summer. These systems spray a fine fog of water that feels great to people. However, this moisture also draws in mosquitoes from far away.
In the middle of a dry desert, a balcony with a mister is like a giant sign for pests. Even a tiny bit of water that drips from a nozzle can create a perfect spot for a mosquito to lay eggs.
Using Heat Updrafts to Climb the Building
While mosquitoes are not strong fliers in a straight line, they are very good at using the heat. Phoenix gets very hot, and tall buildings are made of glass and concrete that soak up the sun.
This creates “updrafts,” which are currents of warm air that blow straight up the side of the building. A mosquito can get caught in one of these rising air currents and be lifted hundreds of feet into the sky without using much energy.
Once they are pushed up by the warm air, they look for a place to rest and hide from the sun. The ledges and balconies of a high-rise are the perfect spots. They can cling to the building walls and wait for the evening to start looking for a way inside. This means that a building’s height actually helps move the pests up rather than keeping them down.
Enjoy Your Phoenix View Without the Bites!
If you have worked hard to live in one of Phoenix’s beautiful high-rises, you should be able to enjoy your balcony every night. You should not have to stay inside just because of a few tiny pests. This is why it is recommended to have your house checked by Green Mango Pest Control.
They have already helped many neighbors in the tall buildings of Downtown and Midtown keep their balconies clear and their homes safe. Schedule an inspection today!