Mosquitoes get a bad rap — and for good reason. These bloodsucking pests cause pain and itching at best and spread deadly disease at their worst. As much destruction as they cause, mosquitoes also help the environment. Out of 3,000 mosquito species, only three spread diseases to humans on a large scale. Here are some of the benefits of keeping mosquitoes around.

Pollination

As anyone as it is that mosquitoes latch onto humans, the good news is, they also latch onto plants the same way. Only a few species of female mosquitoes drink blood. However, females and males of all species enjoy sugar, which they find in plant nectar. Plants produce nectar to attract them, and they help spread plants in return. This increases plant diversity, especially in places like the Arctic, where not as many insects are able to survive.

Food Source

These notorious pests act as a food source of several species, including birds, frogs and fish. Wildlife that’s closer to the bottom of the food chain tend to have no trouble eating mosquitoes and their larvae, which means mosquitoes are important for keeping these animals alive. Fish in particular benefit from eating mosquitoes because mosquitoes are filter feeders that eat food like algae. That makes mosquito larvae nutritious for the fish that feed on them. Humans have eaten them, as well, but the results are generally mixed. 

Waste Removal

Mosquito larvae eat just about anything. During this part of the life cycle, mosquitoes eat constantly while living in water or moist soil. They eat microorganisms like parasites, algae and fungi, making their way through what we consider biological waste. When they turn the food into fecal matter, known as frass, it becomes a nutritious food source for plants. 

Scaring Animals Away

Humans need to live somewhere, but mosquitoes make it difficult for them to live in certain places. This protects environments like rainforests and the Arctic tundra, where biodiversity is essential. Large areas of the tropical rainforest are swarming with mosquitoes, making them unappealing to humans. Swarming mosquitoes also keep animals away from plants in the Arctic, allowing those plants to thrive and spread. 

Mosquitoes play an important role in the environment, but the harm they cause to humans is commonly thought to outweigh the benefits. If you have a mosquito problem, the pest control experts at Pro-Staff in Des Moines can help. Give us a call at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.