Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes

Habitat

Mosquitoes can breed in any form of stagnant water, including ponds, marshes, floodwaters, storm drains, old tires and water in tree holes.

Food

Mosquitoes hunt for food by detecting body heat and the carbon dioxide humans exhale. However, only female mosquitoes suck our blood. Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar.

Biology

One of the best-known summer pests, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water or soft soil. There are about 170 different kinds of mosquito species in North America alone. The developmental cycle of most species takes about two weeks in warm weather. The female lays eggs in rafts of as many as 300 on the water’s surface. Suitable habitats for egg-laying are small bodies of standing fresh water: puddles, pools, ditches, tin cans, buckets, bottles, and water storage tanks. The tiny, cigar-shaped, dark brown eggs adhere to each other through adhesion forces, not any kind of cement, and are easily separated. Eggs hatch only in the presence of water, and the larvae are obligately aquatic, linear in form, and maintain their position and mostly vertical attitude in water by movements of their bristly mouthparts. To swim, they lash their bodies back and forth through the water.

Threat

Mosquitoes are vectors of numerous diseases including malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, encephalitis and West Nile virus – a disease that has become a serious concern in the U.S. in recent years. Signs of West Nile virus include common flu-like symptoms. In extreme cases, symptoms include high fever, head and body aches, worsening weakness, confusion and even coma. Practicing mosquito management when outdoors can help reduce the risk of disease from bites.

Prevention

Mosquito control begins with eliminating areas of standing water around the property such as flowerpots, birdbaths, grill covers and baby pools. Homeowners should also screen all window and doors, repairing even the smallest hole. Another mosquito management tip is to minimize outside activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. For stronger mosquito treatment, people should use an insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and wear long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites when outdoors.