Carefully read our Consumer Education pages to learn more about mosquitoes and their lifecycle, the diseases they carry, methods of prevention, common questions and much more.
1. Egg
Adult mosquitoes typically lay eggs in standing water, where they incubate from two to five days. Eggs may also be laid in dry areas that are prone to flood, and will incubate from two to five days upon being wet. Eggs have been found to remain viable for up to seven years.
2. Larva
After incubation eggs hatch into larvae, a state in which they remain for three to seven days, depending upon temperature and availability of food. The larval form attain 4 stages of growth, called 'instars'. Larvae are filter feeders and can breate air, but primarily take in oxygen through their body walls.
3. Pupa
Pupae breathe but do not feed. They remain in this state for just one or two days before emerging as adults.
4. Adult
Adults typically live for about two weeks but have been known to live for up to two months in ideal conditions. Soon after emerging from the pupa, adults seek out a mate and a meal. Both male and females will typically seek out meals consisting of plant nectar, though females will also feed on blood (only females consume blood). About three days after a blood meal the female is ready to lay from 100-150 eggs. Females can have up to 10 egg-laying cycles during an average lifetime.
Mosquitos will breed in both fresh and salt water. While standing water is preffered and will often promote quicker incubation, eggs can be laid on any type of permanent water, including ponds, rivers and pools. Eggs are also laid in floodwater areas when standing water is not readily available. These areas can include marshes, tidal flats, ditches and other areas. Typical manmade habitats can include discarded tires, birdbaths, containers, unused swimming pools and more. In many cases eggs are laid above the water line and begin incubation once the areas become innundated.
To reduce the available breeding habitat around your home, clean up (or properly discard) old tires, cans and any container that can hold water. Remove water that may be puddling in pool covers or tarpaulins. Store inflatable pools, wheelbarrows, and boats in a position such that they will not collect water. Be sure to keep gutters and drains clear. Remove hollow tree stumps that may collect water. Fill low areas that continually puddle during and after rain.
Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk. The best course of action to avoid mosquitoes is to stay indoors during these times. If you must go outdoors, follow these tips:
- Wear long sleeves and long pants to reduce areas of exposed skin.
- Wear light colored clothing. Dark colors retain heat, which mosquitoes can also sense.
- Apply insect repellant sparingly to exposed skin. Products containing 20%-30% DEET are found to be most effective.
- Apply Perytherin-based repellants to clothing only.
- Keep lawns trimmed short and weeded to reduce potential habitat.
- On calm days use citronella candles. The scent is only effective if able to remain in the area.
The list of mosquito-borne illnesses is extensive, including Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue, Filariasus, and Encephalitis. Granted, several of these diseases are now rare in the United States, but new threats exist. Recently West Nile Virus was responsible for a number of deaths in New York City. Many birds have since tested positive for the disease in every state in the northeast, with more and more humen cases reported each year. The threat is clearly growing. Learn more about West Nile at the
Center for Disease Control.
There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide. 150 exist in North America.
Mosquitoes cause over 1 million deaths per year.
Mosquitoes sense the CO2 animals and humans exhale to locate potential sources of a blood meal.
