Category: Guides

Best Mosquito-Free Summer Vacation Spots

Posted on by k2Dev

Where are the best mosquito-free vacation spots? Some mosquito experts say that if there are still waters nearby, then there will be mosquitoes. If the area has little to no breeze, then you will most likely encounter mosquitoes. And if it has recently rained for long periods of time, then you will most likely encounter these critters. Understand the region in which you plan to vacation and check the weather.

Ok, so how can you avoid these areas? If you want to vacation in the states, then you are in luck. Alaska is a great place to go, or perhaps West Virginia. West Virginia is actually the country’s region with the fewest mosquitoes; it only has 26 species. The high and majestic plains of Colorado are also known to be mosquito free, but you might find quite a handful of hummingbirds, just in case you mind those.

If you are looking to leave the states, you still have plenty of options. One place is Cancun. The breeze of the ocean and the constant movement of the water help to keep them away from this area. The Caribbean is another place you can enjoy your vacation without these pests. It seems that breezy areas near the beach, and away from the jungle-like areas are the running theme for these vacation spots.

Another place that many found enjoyable and free of mosquitoes is Aruba. Aruba is a very dry beautiful place that has strong winds, and a windy place is no friend to these winged things. Carombola is another great place to stay, but only if you stay in the Northern or Eastern parts of it, as the rest do have a large number of mosquito populations. Is it possible to find the best mosquito-free vacation spots? You bet, you just have to know what to look for and what to avoid and the possibilities become endless

Why Should You Avoid Mosquitoes In The First Place?

It is the female of the mosquito species who must feed on the blood of humans and other vertebrates in order to give birth. They must secrete important proteins and sugars that are needed for reproduction. Some experts have speculated that mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous creatures, but this is something that has not been proven extensively. Some have been known to transmit malaria, yellow fever, and filariasis.

There are over 3,500 species of these insects and counting, some are ‘seemingly’ harmless, while others can be quite dangerous. The dangerous ones are the ones found in forests. Experts worry about these types of mosquitoes in relation to deforestation, which forces the species to migrate and therefore become a danger to us. One would be wise to stay away from unknown forests and deforestation areas.

What Else You Can Do To Avoid These Harmful Pests During Your Vacation

It is important to know these critters before you go anywhere. Pack enough repellent because you do not know if you will be able to acquire some wherever you end up. If there are vaccinations that prevent certain “mosquito” diseases, make sure you get them. Be sure to talk to your doctor about that. These monstrous critters are also attracted to dark colors, so be sure to dress in light colors.

One would be wise to have less skin exposed, so wear boots or long socks. This may be a little difficult, especially in the summer, but it may save you from a bite. Be sure to avoid using perfumes, creams with an aroma, after shaves, makeup and other things, as mosquitoes are attracted to a ‘sweet’ aroma. And one more tidbit is they are most active at dawn and at dusk.

Now that you have the essentials covered, you can enjoy your vacation and not be attacked by these bloodsucking insects.

 

What Attracts Mosquitoes?

Posted on by k2Dev

“Zzzz” would be a nice indicator that you are about to be bitten by a mosquito. However, most people do not know they have been bitten until after the fact. So, what makes these pesky bugs bite and how do they choose who they will bite? More importantly, can they be stopped? In order to answer these questions, it helps to understand a bit of mosquito biology.

Why are mosquito bites so bad?

Unfortunately, a mosquito bite is not something that goes unnoticed. Mosquitoes leave behind their symptoms for days: itching, redness and swelling. A person that is bitten by a mosquito usually feels the effects immediately. Unfortunately the trouble does not stop there for some people. Some can experience severe allergic reactions or contract a dangerous disease.

Why do mosquitoes bite?

So, what makes a mosquito bite? First, it is important to understand that male mosquitoes do not bite. Yes, that’s right – the females are the culprits. However, some studies will suggest that some male and some female mosquitoes bite. But only females feed on blood for reproduction.

These ladies are after a substance in our blood called isoleucine. Isoleucine builds amino acid, which stimulates ovulation and egg production in the female mosquito. So biting becomes a survival mechanism for this species. Consequently, if a female fails to find this substance, then she produces no eggs.

Think of it in relationship to human pregnancy. Pregnant women are attracted to foods their bodies need, likewise are mosquitoes.

Who Do Mosquitoes Like?

Sometimes it seems that mosquitoes show favoritism: They prey on some people and not others – even in the same location. But there is more to becoming a victim than just location. Victims of the most frequent mosquito bites often are in the same family as bites are almost 90 percent genetically related. These people produce certain body chemistry elements – namely cholesterol and steroids – that make them more attractive to mosquitoes.

This does not necessarily mean that people who are bitten eat a lot of cholesterol. It has more to do with how that individual’s body processes the cholesterol.

Carbon dioxide is another product liked by mosquitoes. In high school biology class, you learned that people create carbon dioxide when they exhale. Therefore, environments with a lot of exhaling are attractive to mosquitoes. Sporting events are great examples.

And remember that mosquitoes like heat; movement creates heat and mosquitoes have a keen sense of heat detection and smell. In fact, they are able to find their victims at distances up to 30 feet away. If mosquitoes are in the area, heavy breathing, heat and the right genetic disposition will draw them in.

Mosquitoes also prefer the blood of adults over children since their bodies are larger and produce more of their favorite gas and chemicals. Pregnant women are more likely to be bitten than other people. Because they are creating a new human, they exhale a greater amount of carbon dioxide.

What External Environments Attract Mosquitoes?

Itching and swelling can be great motivations to stay away from areas where mosquitoes are likely to bite. Moisture attracts mosquitoes. Therefore, staying away from wet environments can help ward off their bites. Mosquitoes also like dark places. This is why mosquitoes come out at night and in the early morning. Warm summer nights by the lake are ideal feeding spots for mosquitoes.

How Not to Attract Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be quite the nuisance. This is especially true during the right conditions. So knowing what attracts mosquitoes is half the battle. The use of repellants can reduce your body’s genetic attraction, and naturally-sourced substances such as citronella, eucalyptus and lavender can also deter mosquitoes.  Staying away from environments with excess moisture, heat and darkness can also help prevent the long lasting discomforts of a bite.

But if you can’t avoid these situations and you are bitten, follow these handy steps for fast and safe mosquito bite treatment.

 

What and How Do Mosquitoes Eat?

Posted on by k2Dev

When you think about mosquitoes and what they eat, it is not uncommon to instantly think they all live, function, and survive on blood. Surprisingly, that is not entirely the case. In this article you will learn just what and how mosquitoes eat.

What Mosquitoes Eat

Both male and female mosquitoes are also known for feeding upon nectar and plant juices. They usually enjoy eating sugary things and water. This is what gives them energy. When it comes to blood feeding, females are the ones who have a mouth piece that is adapted for piercing through the skin of animals. Females normally are on the hunt for blood when they are in the reproduction process to help get protein for developing eggs. Both plants and blood are great sources of energy for the mosquito.

Believe it or not, there is a genus of mosquito that does not feed upon plants or blood. This species is called the Toxorhynchites mosquito. They are the largest mosquito genus around and will prey on the larvae of other mosquitoes. They have been used throughout time as a mosquito control agent.

Importance of Blood Feeding

When you think about it, female mosquitoes are actually the brave ones. They are constantly risking their lives to make sure they get blood for their new young. When they can not find blood, they have to use a different method to get protein called, autogenous reproduction. This is not their first choice, however.

When it comes to females finding blood, there are quite a few things she is looking for. For one, she is looking for a host that provides an organic substance known as carbon dioxide. That is why most mosquitoes prefer humans over any other type of blood source. And mosquitoes will find their victim simply through our breath and sweat. You might be wondering why would they be hunting us by our sweat? It’s because the mosquito can actually smell the carbon dioxide in our breath and sweat. To mosquitoes, some people’s sweat smells better than others due to varying levels of carbon dioxide in human bodies.

Eating Rituals

Mosquitoes are not picky eaters. They are known as crepuscular feeders, which simply means that they will eat at dawn or dusk. When it is the hottest point of the day, most mosquitoes will prefer to rest inside of a cool place and wait till evening to start their hunt. But some mosquitoes even prefer to continue flying and hunting during the day.

Before a mosquito eats, it injects saliva into the blood sources body. The saliva is an anticoagulant which helps stop the blood from clotting. Once that has been injected, the females will puncture the skin and start to feed, almost like using a needle. This saliva, although beneficial to the mosquito, can be dangerous to humans. The reason is because it is the main source of passing pathogens to our bodies.

 

Mosquito Season – When are Mosquitoes Most Active?

Posted on by k2Dev

As a family, the mosquito is one of the oldest creatures inhabiting the planet. They are prolific breeders and found on every continent. They are even found in geothermal-heated areas of Antarctica. So it’s no wonder they can be a nuisance.

Mosquito types number in the thousands and play unique roles in the animal kingdom. Some carry disease and feed on the blood and sugary fluids of vertebrates. Others perform vital natural services in large eco-cycles.

In the northern hemisphere, the most active months for mosquitoes to feed and reproduce are April through October. Early on, water sources are abundant. In cooler autumn months, mosquitoes increase their activity to prepare for winter dormancy. In the southern hemisphere, the coinciding months are August through March. Some equitorial regions have thriving mosquito populations all year long.

As a rule, almost every society on earth is “plagued” by a mosquito season and can learn to control their numbers through discovering how these pests behave, thrive and survive. Interestingly, elemental conditions have to be “just right” in order for mosquitoes to actively mature and reproduce. This is the key to controlling their numbers.

What Are The Perfect Conditions For Mosquito Season?

The three natural elements that result in active mosquito season colonies are:

1. Moisture
2. Warm Temperature
3. Food Source

Virtually 100% of all mosquito larvae need to spend time growing in stagnant water. Even when putrefied, standing water is a hotbed for clusters of mosquito egg deposits. Mucous holds large clusters of mosquito eggs together near the water’s edge to provide protection and take advantage of the second most important need of a mosquito, heat.

Temperate to hot air and water surface speeds up the gestation process of mosquito eggs and the development of young mosquitoes. An amazingly adaptive creature, mosquitoes have developed reproductive survival mechanisms. In some varieties, eggs can be frozen in ice for years and remain dormant until temperatures warm up. Other varieties of mosquito eggs can rest completely dry and nearly lifeless until coming into contact with a moisture source. In this way, mosquito eggs can be more like dried seeds than active fauna.

Third, food must be present for mosquito reproduction and growth. Throughout its entire life cycle, a mosquito takes in organic matter to help with growth functions. In early stages, a soft body allows for nutrient absorption. Adult mosquitoes feed on microbiological matter in the case of the male, or blood and body fluids in the case of the venom and mandible-possessing female. The mandible is the long and penetrating stinger that is the hallmark of what everyone associates with these little bloodsuckers.

Life Cycle And Reproductive Habits Of Mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes do not consult calendars, nor plan the best times to reproduce. If the three conditions mentioned above are present, it is mosquito season! Spring through autumn in all regions will see active mosquito outbreaks. Harsh winters tend to stop hatches, kill breeding adults and eliminate food sources.

It depends on the variety, but mosquitoes have an adult lifespan that can vary from a few days, to four or five months. From the laying of eggs to adulthood, the mosquito’s development takes between four days and two weeks. Mosquitoes go through a common four-step development and emerge as adults ready to feed and reproduce. This is why nearly every mosquito seen is completely bent on drawing blood!

During breeding, male mosquitoes gather in huge swarms and circle in the air releasing pheromones to attract females. The females fly into the clusters and the males deposit genetic material mid-flight. Within a day or so, the female is ready to find a standing water source and lay eggs.

When Are Mosquitoes Most Active, And How Are They Controlled?

If an adult mosquito is alive, it is most certainly active! There really is no way to take the feeding and reproduction impulse away from these insects. Instead, local and regional conditions must be monitored and changed in order to create the least conducive areas for mosquitoes to thrive.

Remember, moisture, heat and food are what initiate “mosquito season.” Take these steps to reduce their numbers.

1. Eliminate pools of water near dwellings. This includes objects holding rainwater, long-lived mud puddles, water in clogged gutters, backed-up culverts, and pools collected by vapor barriers.

2. If water sources like ponds, reservoirs, holding tanks and seasonal lake beds cannot be eliminated, set up refillable traps to catch active adults once they emerge and are looking for their first meal.

3. Introduce carnivorous predators. Certain other midges and insects like dragonflies eat mosquitoes as a dietary staple. These “patrols” can greatly reduce mosquito numbers.

4. Be aware that mosquitoes are hatching constantly but have, in general, four-day to two-week seasons.

5. In extreme cases, or where mosquito-borne disease is identified, toxins like Pyrethrins can be broadcast in the air or water to eliminate and neutralize the most active hatches.

It’s hard to control the mosquito which is one of nature’s great survivors. Taking steps to eliminate and alter areas around your home that are perfect for mosquito reproduction is the best tool for reducing their numbers. Mosquitoes reproduce exponentially, but removing the conditions they are always drawn to will eliminate them at equally exponential rates!

 

Aedes Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

Understanding Aedes Mosquitoes

Aedes is a genus type of mosquito that includes over 700 different species. This particular type of mosquito consists of white eyes, and black and white stripes that provide a very fascinating appearance. A fully grown Aedes is approximately 6-10mm long. This particular mosquito was originally found in the tropical and sub-tropical zones, however, today it is present in all the continents except Antarctica.

Where They Prefer to Stay

It is possible to discover Aedes eggs inside exterior objects that harbor water. These may include rain barrels, roof tanks, children’s pools, used tires, and garden pots provided it is an ideal spot for the female Aedes to lay her eggs. It is therefore of paramount importance to get rid of items that trap water in order to limit chances of mosquitoes breeding around your home.

Lifecycle of Aedes Mosquito

The Aedes mosquito’s life-cycle comprises of four main stages, namely the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stage. This particular lifecycle usually begins when the female Aedes lays her eggs on a stagnant pool of water. These eggs later hatch, whereby it is possible for a larva to emerge the same day provided that there are favorable environmental conditions.

Immediately after a period of four days, the larva naturally transforms itself into a pupa and still remains inside the water for another 48 hours before it becomes a fully grown adult with capabilities of flying, breeding, and feeding itself independently.

Three days after graduating into the adult stage, it becomes possible for the female Aedes to begin breeding provided that she can find a blood meal. The female Aedes will then proceed and lay her eggs on water and a new Aedes life cycle begins again. Generally, Aedes mosquitoes have a lifespan of around 14 days, but this can be prolonged as long as the prevailing environmental conditions are sustainable.

Transmission of Diseases

Aedes are known to transmit very serious diseases, some of which are potentially fatal and have been responsible for deaths across the globe. Some of these diseases include yellow fever and dengue fever that are known to manifest themselves inside a human body through various distressing symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, fever, jaundice, and influenza. Aedes is also known to be responsible for human lymphatic filariasis that causes elephantiasis.

The female Aedes usually provides nourishment to her eggs by feeding on human blood and this is why it is very dangerous with human beings. On the other hand, male Aedes primarily feed on nectar and do not bite human beings. Aedes also acts as a vector for various viral pathogens.

Aedes has a very unique biting behavior because it primarily bites during the day. It is usually very active for about two hours immediately after sunrise and several hours before the sun sets. However, it can still bite at night provided a sufficient amount of light exists. This particular mosquito generally bites individuals on their backs by approaching them from behind. Even though it prefers biting human beings, it can also bite other domestic animals such as cats and dogs.

How to Control Aedes

  • Ensure the yard is free from any water filled containers
  • Tree holes and other cavities inside plants should be filled with either sand or soil so that rain water does not get trapped inside
  • Always check for various hidden water bodies such as clogged drains, manholes, septic tanks, and wells

 

Culex Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

Mosquitoes bring to mind undesirable connotations. More than the average bug, they are particularly irritating in demeanor. Their ringing wings announce their arrival and remind you that you should spread out the nets before you lie and unleash your arsenal of insecticides. It helps to know your mosquitoes by species as they herald the threat of different diseases. Let’s take a look at one genus of this insect, the culex mosquito, which is a vector of a number of human pathogens.

Identifying a Culex Mosquito

First of all, Culex mosquitoes are medium sized, which means they will be high pitched in flight and quite fast when moving around your room. They can be identified by the cross veins on their wings and straight abdomen when not full of someone’s blood. Their appearance is a grayish brown and their structure differs from anopheles mosquitoes, which have a pointed abdomen. They also do not have prespiracular or postspiracular setae.

Outdoors, Culex mosquitoes flock together, though they are mostly found in enclosures. This has led to the Culex genus being referred to as the house mosquito as it prefers rooms, caves and outbuildings. Their small body size makes them tolerant to cooler seasons. The taxom, Culex, is latin for gnat which alludes to their appearance.

How do Culex Mosquitoes Develop?

Culex mosquitoes like other mosquitoes are hatched in the water into larvae that feed on vegetable matter, fungi and bacteria. A mosquito can lay up to 350 eggs on a single raft and they hatch after 2 days. As if this wasn’t enough, they lay eggs every third night. The water must be still and reasonably foul for the larvae to forage. In the wild, the larvae, or wigglers as they are otherwise known, are eaten by fish that grab them on the water surface. The Culex larvae actually hang from a breathing tube that juts from the water surface. They molt four times as they keep growing larger.

The larvae mature after two weeks and form pupae, which are shaped like a comma. The pupae are commonly referred to as tumblers, and just like a butterflies, they undergo metamorphosis into adults. Actual metamorphosis takes about two to three days. Tumblers are not completely stationary, they will jerk and tumble when disturbed.

The lifecycle is seasonal with certain months having the largest prevalence depending on the region. Culex mosquitoes travel great distances from their breeding grounds. During winter, they find a warmest moist spot and stay in a state of torpor. The lifespan of an adult Culex mosquito is one month for females and 1 week for males. Temperature is very important as the higher it goes the shorter the lifecycle will be.

Pathogenomics of the Culex Mosquito

Culex mosquitoes are associated with malaria, which is a worldwide killer. It may also carry:

  • Dengue fever
  • Yellow fever
  • Encephalitis
  • Lymphatic Filariasis
  • Rift valley fever
  • Sindbis virus
  • West Nile virus and others.

Some of the diseases are transmitted between man and animals, while others are transmitted between humans. Some of the pathogens are worms, others are parasites, while others are viruses. Culex are not the only type of mosquito that spreads malaria as the Anopheles mosquito also spreads it. They are also responsible for the spread of avian malaria in birds. Pets like dogs do suffer from pathogens transmitted by the Culex mosquito.

The vast number of diseases the Culex carries is precisely why mosquito-borne disease research efforts strongly focus on this type of mosquito.

 

Types of Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

Right now, scientists have classified over 3,000 types of mosquitoes with different subfamilies and genera being discovered every year. Though some species aren’t dangerous to man, most of them are at least considered pests because the female needs a blood meal before she lays her eggs. This means that a swarm of even harmless mosquitoes can be unbearable.

But the real problem is that in the act of biting, certain species of mosquitoes can transmit diseases, many of them very dangerous or even fatal. Entire ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean have been wiped out because of mosquitoes.

There are two mosquito subfamilies. They are anophelinae and culicinae. Among these subfamilies are many genera. They include:

Aedes Mosquitoes

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a carrier of both yellow fever and dengue fever. These diseases resemble each other. However, yellow fever is sometimes fatal to its victims, but dengue fever usually isn’t. Discovering that these diseases were carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito allowed the Panama Canal to be built, for people then knew to eradicate this subfamily of mosquitoes in the area.

These mosquitoes live in the tropical areas in the world. The females are completely dependent upon human beings and are never far from human habitation. They lay their eggs on the surface of water in any sort of container. Unlike a lot of mosquitoes, the females are more active during the day than in the morning and evening.

Anopheles Mosquitoes

This mosquito belongs to the anophelinae subfamily. There are over 400 types of this notorious mosquito, but only about 40 of them carry malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite called plasmodium, which can only live in mosquitoes and in the human bloodstream. Moreover, plasmodium can only live in anopheles mosquitoes.

Anopheles mosquitoes bite at night, so it’s a good idea for a person who lives or works in a malaria infested area to sleep beneath mosquito netting. The anopheles mosquito is born without the plasmodium parasite and only gets it when it bites an infected human. Then, the infected mosquito goes on to infect another human being.

Chagasia Mosquitoes

This mosquito resembles the anopheles mosquito and is, in fact, a member of the anophelinae subfamily. These mosquitoes like to live in vegetation around wet places. Fortunately, humans aren’t their favorite meal and when they do bite, they don’t transmit disease.

Culex Mosquitoes

The culex mosquito can carry filariasis. Filariasis is caused by tiny worms transmitted through the saliva of the mosquito. They can cause elephantiasis, a diseases which causes the limbs of the victim to swell grotesquely as the worms clog the victim’s lymphatic system. The disease tularemia is also transmitted by the Culex mosquito.

Psoropora  Mosquitoes

This is a large and aggressive mosquito. Like the Aedes mosquito, they bite at all hours of the day and can infect people with the West Nile virus. They have a long proboscis that enables them to bite through people’s clothing. They are found in the southern United States and southward into the tropics.

Culiseta Mosquitoes

This is an unusual, cool season mosquito that appears during the winters in warmer climates. They bite humans occasionally, but many prefer birds, mammals, domestic livestock and even reptiles.

Haemagogus Mosquitoes

These mosquitoes, which are found mostly in South and Central America, are vectors for yellow fever. They are long-lived and so can infect many people and animals. It’s believed that a yellow fever epidemic that killed howler monkeys in Brazil in 1998 was transmitted by a type of Haemagogus mosquito.

Mansonia Mosquitoes

These are large, brown or black mosquitoes that have iridescent wings. They don’t seem to carry serious disease, but they are considered a nuisance, as they do bite humans.

Tripteroides Mosquitoes

This is a large genus of mosquitoes that lives from China to Tasmania. Fortunately, most of them don’t attack humans, but they can still become nuisances when they swarm and invade people’s houses. Even when they do bite, they don’t seem to transmit disease.

 

Mosquito Facts

Posted on by k2Dev

Mosquitoes are more than annoying insects that buzz around and wait for the right moment to bite their host. They’re fascinating creatures that have adapted over the centuries in order to survive almost any environment. This makes them one of the world’s most virulent species, but one that we should continuously examine for insights into survival and control.

Here are a few interesting facts about these winged insects:

MANY BELIEVE MOSQUITOES CANNOT LIVE UNLESS THEY TAKE BLOOD FROM A HOST

This is untrue. Only female mosquitoes need a blood meal. A mosquito needs blood for egg development during breeding. Each blood meal consists of only five millionths of a liter. Male mosquitoes feast on nectar or other plant-based sugar sources.

 

MOSQUITOES ARE MILLIONS OF YEARS OLD

Over the years, they have developed into many different species. Currently there are 176 known mosquito species in the United States. This explains why some mosquito repellants work and others do not. Some species have “immunity” to the repellants.

 

MOSQUITOES CARRY A VARIETY OF DISEASES

Mosquito-borne illnesses cause the deaths of hundreds of people worldwide every year. Some of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses in humans include yellow fever, malaria and West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes can also give heartworms to animals.

 

MOSQUITOES HAVE VERY POOR EYESIGHT

Their vision is blurry, and they cannot make out an object until they are about 10 feet away. Mosquitoes are heat-seeking insects. They locate their prey by flying towards movement and heat. They also find their prey by smell. Mosquitoes are attracted to high levels of carbon dioxide. Active people are prime targets since they move around often. They produce larger amounts of carbon dioxide. Mosquitoes bite women more often than men. Women give off a variety of hormones with an enticing smell to mosquitoes.

 

MOSQUITOES BITE ANIMALS OTHER THAN PEOPLE

They also bite birds and small mammals. Different types of animals attract different species of mosquitoes. For example, certain species only bite birds and others only bite frogs.

 

MOST MOSQUITOES STAY CLOSE TO THE AREA WHERE THEY HATCHED

Many do not fly more than one mile away from the breeding location. One exception is the Salt Marsh mosquito. It can travel up to forty miles from the breeding location.

 

WHEN A MOSQUITO BITES, THE BITE ITSELF DOES NOT ITCH

The chemicals released by the mosquito to prevent blood clotting are the source of the itching.

 

MOST SPECIES OF MOSQUITOES LIVE ABOUT TWO TO FOUR WEEKS FROM EGG TO ADULT STAGE

Environmental factors such as temperature play a major role in how quickly the mosquitoes develop. Natural predators also help determine the life span of a mosquito.

 

MOSQUITOES BREED NEAR STANDING WATER

This is where the mosquito population will be highest. Swimming pools, puddles and ponds are common breeding areas.

 

MOSQUITOES LAY THEIR EGGS IN CLUSTERS CALLED “RAFTS”

The “rafts” float on top of standing water until they hatch. The eggs hatch in water and continue to live there through the next two life stages, larva and pupa. After the pupa changes into an adult, it dries its body then flies away.

 

MOST SPECIES OF MOSQUITOES WEIGH AROUND 2.5 MILLIGRAMS

The mosquito is a small, but ferocious creature.

 

MOSQUITOES CAN LIVE IN ALMOST ANY ENVIRONMENT

Most prefer warm, humid climates but some species live in cooler climates like Canada and Alaska. In some areas, mosquitoes that hatch late in summer will hibernate until the next spring and then lay eggs.

 

MANY MOSQUITOES DO NOT LIKE THE HEAT OF DAY

In very warm climates, mosquitoes will seek shade in bushes or shrubs. They wait until early morning or dusk to move around and look for blood meals.

 

Why Learn About Mosquitoes?

Some people may wonder why mosquito knowledge is so important. Learning facts about mosquitoes can be helpful in several aspects. Several cities and towns budget for mosquito control. Knowing which species live in the area, where they breed and the time of day they feed can be especially helpful in treating the problem. Mosquito facts help doctors and health organizations combat diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and West Nile Virus.

 

What is a Mosquito?

Posted on by k2Dev

If you are wondering what a mosquito is, then you have come to the right place. Through an explanation of the life cycle, how they feed, diseases they spread, and how we have tried to control them throughout the years, you should get a better understanding of these small fly-like creatures.

The Mosquito’s Life Cycle

All 3,500 species of mosquitoes go through the same life cycle starting as an egg, becoming a larva, transforming into a pupa, and finally transforming into an adult.

Egg
An adult female of the species lays her eggs in stagnant water, near the water’s edge, or attaches them to aquatic plants. This is the first step in the mosquito’s life. From 5 to 14 days, the animal lives its life inside of the egg growing into the next stage of its life, the larva stage.

Larva
The larva of a mosquito has a head and brushes for feeding, while they do not yet have legs. They live in the water but must come to the surface often to breathe. They feed constantly on algae and bacteria.

Pupa
After some time in this form, they transform into the pupa. Pupa also come to the surface to breathe, but during this stage, the mosquito does not eat. After only a few days in this stage, the small mosquito comes to the surface to begin its life as an adult.

Adult
The adult mosquito is ready to create more eggs only a few days after transformation from the pupa stage. Males of the species form swarms that the females pass through to mate. The males live for about a week and eat any form of sugar they can find. The female feeds on blood from animals and humans. After a meal, she will rest for a few days while the eggs are developed. Then she will begin the whole process again to lay as many eggs as she can during her one to two week life.

Feeding Behavior of the Female Mosquito

Many female mosquitoes, although not all, have adapted mouthparts to penetrate the skin of hosts to suck their blood. These are called ectoparasites. They must obtain a meal of blood before they are able to produce eggs. The nutrients and proteins in the blood help the eggs develop and protect them until they hatch.

The female is attracted to carbon dioxide, octenol, and especially nonanal, which our bodies naturally produce. The females smell these chemicals and are drawn to it.

During the heat of the day, mosquitoes rest in cool places waiting for the evening when they become active and feed at night.

Diseases Carried by Mosquitoes

By sucking the blood of humans, mosquitoes can carry diseases between hosts. Yellow fever, dengue fever, Chikungunya are a few viral diseases they can assist in spreading. Malaria is a parasitic disease they can spread. Tularemia is a bacterial disease that can even be transferred by biting flies. The West Nile virus and the Eastern equine encephalitis virus are two diseases of concern in the United States that can be spread by mosquitoes.

Controlling the Mosquito Population

By trying to reduce the mosquito population, humans hope to slow the spread of diseases carried by these pests. There are many ways in which we have tried to reduce and exterminate the population in different areas. By destroying suitable breeding grounds, cleaning up trash that can hold stagnant water, and removing plants that the insects can lay their eggs on, mosquito populations can be lessened.

At individual homes, screens in windows and mosquito nets, especially ones covered in insecticide, can help reduce and even eliminate the presence of mosquitoes. By introducing more natural predators to the ecosystem like dragonflies, bats, and blue martins, the pests will be eaten before they can breed and lay eggs. If bass, bluegill, piranhas, salmon, trout, catfish, or goldfish are added to a water system where the eggs, larvae, and pupae live, the population will be decreased because many of the species will not live long enough to become adults.

The mosquito is a complex animal. But understanding its breeding, developmental and feeding behaviors helps answer important questions about how it can be controlled.

 

West Nile Virus and Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

Since 1999, West Nile Virus has been common in the United States. The disease is caused by a flavivirus that infects many species of birds and mosquitoes. The good news is, most mosquitoes do not carry West Nile Virus, and with proper mosquito control, you should be able to avoid the illness. Preventative measures should also always be taken when disposing of dead birds or other animals.

 

What Steps Should I Take to Avoid West Nile Virus?

Mosquitoes breed quickly, and lay their eggs in stagnant water and low lying areas where there is usually organic and decaying material (think compost heap, muddy puddles). Your goal should be to have a low, or non-existent population of mosquitoes in your backyard, and anywhere you and your children often hang out outside.

 

01.

Look at your yard and get rid of any water receptacles such as discarded tires, crevices between planters, etc. If you can’t rid the area of standing water, you can treat it with an insecticide that targets the larvae of mosquitoes and thus eliminates breeding of mosquitoes in that area.

 

02.

Cover pools tightly and shake off any water that collects on top of the cover. If you must keep bird baths, be sure to change the water every 2-3 days. Small plastic kiddie pools should be flipped over when not being used. Roof gutters may not be visible but can be active mosquito breeding grounds. Try to clean your roof gutters out at least once a year.

 

03.

 

Keep mosquitoes out of your home as well. Repair any tears in your screened doors or windows. Don’t put flower pots – which you’ll be watering – right in front of your doors or windows.

Personal Protection

From the end of May through the month of October, a mosquito’s activity hits its height and you will notice them zipping around and threatening you at every step outside. Mosquitoes love the evening when they are especially prevalent and blood thirsty.

 

Clothing

Wear skin-covering clothing such as long pants, long sleeves and socks that cover the ankle between shoes and pants.

 

Foliage

Do not sit in high grass or weeds. Don’t sit under big, bushy foliage, no matter how shady they may be. Limit your time on docks and other surfaces on top of water.

 

Repellant

Use a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Citronella candles are good for extra precaution outside. Both DEET and Picaridin are very effective at repelling mosquitoes and can be sprayed on your clothing and any skin that may be exposed.

 

How Would I Know if I Had West Nile Virus?

 

Most people who do contract West Nile Virus have very slight symptoms and recover with no medical intervention.

Symptoms resemble the flu. Watch for fatigue, fever and headache or stiff neck after a recent mosquito bite.

West Nile can progress to very serious health issues, such as viral encephalitis or viral meningitis. This is more apt to occur in immunocompromised individuals or those taking immunocompromising drugs.

The only way to diagnose West Nile Virus with certainty is through a spinal tap procedure.

 

Can’t I Just Get a Vaccine?

 

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available to guard against West Nile Virus in humans. Luckily, by following a few common sense protocols, we can avoid mosquitoes and the virus; and enjoy a fun-filled summer.