Life Cycle
Mosquitos have a very distinct life cycle that is separated into clear phases
- Egg: Eggs are generally laid in or near water in groups of 100-300. Female mosquitoes can lay up to 10 batches of eggs in their lifetime.
- Larvae: Larvae are aquatic and spend all their time in water. They are air-breathing so they breathe through tubes or a siphon. This requires them to regularly visit the water surface. Some types of larvae are predatory, while others eat algae and bacteria. They have a characteristic “wriggling” motion to their movement which makes them easily identifiable.
- Pupae: After they are large enough, they form a pupae at the water’s surface. Upon exiting the pupae, they dry themselves on the surface of the water until they can fly away.
- Adult: Mosquitoes can go through the egg, larvae and pupae stages in as little as 1-2 weeks. In certain situations, like cold weather, they can delay the onset of adulthood by many months. Male mosquitoes only live for 1-2 weeks after leaving the water, while females can live for 1-2 months. Females use the blood they drink to produce their eggs.
Disease Transmission
Why do mosquitoes transmit diseases?
Female mosquitoes bite people or animals and suck their blood so they can use the protein in the blood to produce their eggs. One female can lay up to 10 batches of eggs during her lifetime, so she will bite multiple people and animals to get the protein she needs to make her eggs.
If a person or animal is infected when the female bites it and takes some of its blood, then she will become infected herself and spread the infection to any other people or animals she bites.
Common Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are primary vectors for the spread of many dangerous diseases, including:
- malaria
- yellow fever
- Chikungunya
- West Nile virus
- dengue fever
- filariasis
- Zika virus
- Other arboviruses
Pest Activity
While mosquitoes can spread dangerous diseases (and do so frequently in other parts of the world), in the United States they are mainly just an outdoors nuisance.
Most people will get a mild reaction to a mosquito bite, but nothing serious.
What proof. Professionals Do To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes
Active pest control is important to prevent mosquitoes from reproducing rapidly and infesting your yard and the area immediately around your home.
Our Mosquito/Tick Control service reduces mosquito populations by 80-90% all summer long. Here’s how it works:
- First, we remove or treat any potential breeding locations,
- then we exterminate active adults with a fogging treatment,
- finally we reduce or remove areas for mosquitoes to hide/rest in like long grass.
Call (888) 658-5191 today for a free, custom quote for mosquito control for your home!
