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Mosquitoes
(Anopheles)

Mosquito.jpeg

Female mosquitoes feed on blood, which assists in producing eggs, while male mosquitoes feed on flower nectar.

Appearance
 

  • They have a single pair of wings

  • They have long thin legs

  • Adults range in size from 3-9mm
     

  • Their heads have a prominent proboscis
    There are many differences between female and male mosquitoes, but they are hard to see without a magnifying glass.
     

  • Male mosquitoes are usually smaller than females and live shorter lives

  • Male adult mosquitoes do not take blood as a meal. They feed on nectar

  • Female mosquitoes take blood as a meal

Behavior, Diet & Habits
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It’s widely known that mosquitoes feed on blood, however mosquitoes also feed on nectar from flowers. Female mosquitoes feed on blood in order to generate eggs.

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You can find the immature stages (babies) of mosquitoes in stagnant, standing water. Adult mosquitoes are most active from dusk until dawn. Mosquitoes are attracted to vegetation like shrubs, vines, plants, and bushes where they can seek refuge from the sun and heat of the day.

Reproduction
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After mating, the female mosquito seeks a blood meal to assist in the production of her eggs. She lays her eggs in standing pools of water such as buckets, birdbaths, puddles, or flower pots. Females can lay up 100 eggs at one time.

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The young are wormlike larvae are called tumblers because they tumble and wiggle around in the water. After a short growing period 10-15 days, the adults emerge from the pupae onto the water surface where their exoskeleton hardens.

Signs of an Infestation
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Mosquito infestation signs are easy to spot. You will hear the buzzing of the females see their bites on your skin. While some people have no reaction to the mosquito’s bite, others can have mild irritation to intense inflammation and swelling. You’ll also see them leaving vegetation as dusk approaches and find their larvae in any standing or stagnant water.

Treatments
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You can help reduce the number of mosquitos in your yard by making sure your yard is not a safe haven. Here are a few simple steps you can take.
 

  • Drain all standing water. Examples include tires, bird baths, buckets, toys, or flower pots.

  • Keep swimming pools clean and clear of stagnant water

  • Change birdbath water 2-3 times per week

  • Keep your yard free of tall grass, weeds, and over grown vegetation

  • Keep gutters and downspouts unclogged

  • Make sure windows and doors have tight-fitting screens and are in good repair

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