Culicidae

Mosquitoes are a group of small insects that are flies. Mosquitoes are known for their presence at backyard barbecues and their itchy, irritating bites. Beyond the nuisance they cause, they are also carriers of some of humanity’s most deadly illnesses. Mosquito-borne diseases cause millions of deaths a year worldwide. Malaria, encephalitis, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, and dengue are just a few of the dreaded diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. There are about 3,500 species of mosquitoes that live all over the world except Antarctica and a few islands with polar climates.

Identification – What do mosquitoes look like?

Mosquitoes range in color from grayish-brown to black with white, blue, or green markings. They are narrow and oval shaped. They have small heads with large eyes, a thorn, abdomen, two wings and six thin legs. They are 1/4 to 3/8 inch long.

Habitat and Habits of mosquitoes

Mosquitoes rest in tall grass, weeds and brush. Mosquitoes must have water to complete their life cycle. They breed in stagnant water. Whenever water stands for four to seven days, mosquitoes can multiply. Only female mosquitoes bite to obtain a blood meal. Females do this in order to have enough protein to nourish their developing eggs. The male mosquito feeds only on plant juices. Mosquitoes are pollinators. In fact, the normal food for mosquitoes is nectar from from flowers. Mosquitoes feed day and night.

They prefer temperatures over 80 degrees. Some mosquitoes hibernate in holes when temperatures are less than 50 degrees. The average mosquito lives less than two months. Females that hibernate can live up to 6 months.

Diet – What do mosquitoes eat?

All mosquitoes feed mainly on fruit and plant nectar. The female mosquito will also feed on blood to nourish her developing eggs.

Mosquito Control- How to get rid of mosquitoes?

Controlling mosquitoes requires a combination of treatments to break the mosquito’s life cycle. Your Rocky Mountain Bird and Pest technician will look for conditions that invite mosquitoes, tackle current infestations, and stop the life cycle to help reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard.  Keeping mosquitoes  away is not a one-time event, it’s a process and you can trust that your technician will work diligently to deliver unique solutions to help keep you safe from mosquitoes.