No. Of the 54 species in Connecticut, less than half are considered pest species to humans and livestock.
Mosquitoes do not actually “bite” humans; they “feed” on them. Female mosquitoes require protein to produce their eggs and obtain this protein from the blood of humans and other animals.
No. Because male mosquitoes do not lay eggs, they do not require protein. Only the female mosquito requires a source of protein to produce eggs.
A mosquito’s life cycle has four stages – egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Mosquitoes need water to breed because all mosquitoes spend their larval and pupal stages in water. Therefore, mosquitoes can always be found around water. This is why it is important to prevent stagnant water from standing around your home and apply a larvicide to areas where stagnant water cannot be removed.
Most adult mosquitoes wind up as food for birds, dragonflies, or spiders. Others succumb to the effects of wind, rain, and drought. Those that survive those threats may persist for as long as 2 to 3 months and adults that hibernate can live as long 6 to 8 months.
Mosquitoes are cold-blooded creatures and do not generally feed in temperatures below 50 degrees F. In Connecticut, some adult mosquitoes become inactive with the onset of cold weather and enter into hibernation before the first frost. Other mosquitoes die in the fall but have winter-hardy eggs, which hibernate as embryos.
Only in the last century has it been known that mosquitoes are capable of spreading disease. The diseases are often viruses that are picked up by the mosquito when it feeds on an infected host. When the mosquito feeds on another host, it can spread the virus.
Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dog heartworm, and viral encephalitis. Mosquitoes do not transmit AIDS.
Mosquitoes around the home can be reduced significantly by minimizing the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding. Residents are urged to reduce standing water around the home in a variety of ways. Source reduction activities include:
1. Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property.
2. Empty standing water from used or discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property (e.g., tire swings).
3. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left out of doors.
4. Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains.
5. Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
6. Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths.
7. Change water in birdbaths and wading pools on a weekly basis.
8. Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
9. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in water that collects on swimming pool covers.
Pesticides, such as resmethrin, are designed to kill adult mosquitoes within 5 to 30 minutes of contact. Contact is more reliably achieved after sunset and overnight when most mosquitoes are airborne. When contact is made, insecticides like resmethrin are approximately 90% effective so some mosquitoes do survive spraying. Insecticides are not designed to kill mosquito larvae so non-adult mosquitoes will not be affected and new hatches of adults may need to be addressed.
The best way is to avoid being fed on by mosquitoes. This can be accomplished using personal protection while outdoors when mosquitoes are present. Examples of such protective measures are:
1. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active.
2. Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.
3. Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
Mosquito populations fluctuate depending mostly on rainfall. Frequent rainstorms create more standing water and therefore, more floodwater nuisance mosquitoes.
The most effective and economical way to control mosquitoes is to prevent them from emerging as biting adults.
Many are produced in water-filled containers like old tires, improperly maintained swimming pools, and street catch basins, where mosquito eggs are laid.
Mosquito habitats are places where mosquito eggs are laid, hatch, and larvae grow into adults. Any place that holds water for 7-10 days can be a mosquito habitat.
About 5 millionths of a quart (for an Aedes aegypti)
Carbon dioxide (CO2), our breath, is a proven attractant. Warm bodies, dark-colored clothing, and scents like perfume and deodorant also attract female mosquitoes.
Male mosquitoes fertilize the females. They also feed on nectar and can therefore be pollinators. Male mosquitoes, which usually emerge shortly before females, form a mating swarm when females emerge. Females mate only once and store sperm that will later fertilize the eggs she lays
Mostquitoes are the major carriers of vector borne diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria
Even though many off the shelf mosquito repellants are available in the market, it is recommended to use a professional pest control service provider to get a long term solution for your mosquito problem.
One way to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house is by closing doors and windows after dark. Also, curtains can be used to block out the light from house.