Mosquito Learning Center
What Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are small flying insects that belong to the family Culicidae. They are known for their distinct anatomy, including long, slender bodies, six long, slender legs, and two wings. Mosquitoes are perhaps most well-known for their feeding habits, which involve piercing the skin of animals, including humans, to obtain blood, which serves as a source of nutrition for the female mosquitoes. The male mosquitoes typically feed on nectar from flowers and do not bite humans or animals for blood. Due to the potential dangers mosquitoes can cause, it's best to hire a professional mosquito control company to keep you and your family protected all year round.
What Season Are Mosquitoes Active?
Mosquito activity can vary depending on the species and geographic location, but in many regions, they are most active during the warm, humid months of spring and summer. Mosquitoes are ectothermic, meaning their activity and behavior are influenced by temperature. They are generally more active when it's warm and when there is an adequate water source for breeding.
Key factors that contribute to increased mosquito activity include:
- Warm Weather: Mosquitoes are most active when the temperatures are higher. As spring and summer arrive and temperatures rise, you can expect to see more mosquito activity.
- Standing Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or near water sources. When there is standing water available for breeding, such as in puddles, ponds, or containers holding water, mosquito populations tend to increase, leading to more mosquito activity.
- Humidity: Mosquitoes thrive in humid environments. High humidity levels are often associated with increased mosquito activity.
- Dusk and Dawn: Many mosquito species are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the dawn and dusk. These times of day can see peak mosquito activity, and they are often referred to as the "mosquito hours."
We recommend recurring mosquito treatment to keep your backyard protected year-round. Prevent the infestation before it happens!
Mosquito Facts
Interested in learning more? Here are 10 facts about mosquitoes:
- Diverse Species: There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, but only a small fraction of them are known to transmit diseases to humans.
- Female Blood-Feeding: Only female mosquitoes feed on blood. They require the proteins and iron from blood to develop and lay their eggs.
- Males Don't Bite: Male mosquitoes primarily feed on nectar and other plant-based substances. They do not bite humans or animals for blood.
- Lifespan: The average lifespan of a mosquito is relatively short, usually ranging from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
- Disease Vectors: Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and yellow fever to humans through their bites.
- Carbon Dioxide Attraction: Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled by humans and other animals, which helps them locate potential hosts.
- Feeding Time: Most mosquito species are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk, though some are active during the day or at night.
- Breeding in Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or near standing water. Larvae and pupae develop in the water before emerging as adults.
- High-Pitched Buzz: The sound of a mosquito's buzzing is created by the rapid beating of its wings, which can reach frequencies of around 400 to 600 hertz.
- Blood Type Preferences: Some studies suggest that certain mosquito species may preferentially bite individuals with certain blood types, such as Type O or Type A.