Mosquitoes and Their Control

Mosquito Biology

Mosquitoes are insects belonging to the order Diptera (which includes all true flies) and the family Culicidae.

All mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis. They begin their lives as eggs laid in, near, on on the surface of water. After hatching, the aquatic larvae feed, grow, and eventually pupate into adults. The exact time necessary for mosquitoes to complete their maturation from egg to adult varies according to the specie and several other factors, most importantly the temperature.

Adult mosquitoes have long legs and two wings. Adult females of almost all mosquito species have long probosces with piercing mouthparts with which they draw blood meals from other animals, including humans. Females must take at least one blood meal after they emerge from pupation before they can produce eggs.

Males of most mosquito species also have long probosces, but male mosquitoes cannot pierce the skin or draw blood. They live on fruit and plant juices.

The mosquito on the right belongs to the genus Culex, which is most closely associated with the transmission of the West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and other arboviral encephalitides.

Two other genera of mosquitoes are also of public health importance: genus Anopheles, whose members are associated with the transmission of malaria; and genus Aedes, whose members are known to transmit yellow fever, dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, heartworm in dogs and cats, and several forms of encephalitis.

Mosquito Control

Mosquito control begins with habitat modification.

Because mosquitoes breed in water, you can help reduce mosquito populations by going around your property and correcting standing water problems, including doing such simple things as:

• Storing buckets, pails, and kiddie pools upside-down when not in use
• Changing water in birdbaths frequently
• Correcting poor drainage conditions that cause puddling

When non-chemical methods aren't enough, ALLGone Services offers a monthly mosquito control program that treats all areas on your property where mosquitoes are found: In bushes, shaded areas of your lawn, trees, etc., to reduce mosquito populations and make your use of your yard more enjoyable.