Did you Know? Only Female Mosquitoes bite humans
FEW FACTS OF MOSQUITOES
There are about 170 different kinds of mosquitoes .These pests are part of the same family as houseflies and fruit flies, because they all have two clear, veined wings. Best known as a summer pest, Mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in 10 to 14 days.
- Size:1/4″ to 3/8″
- Shape:Narrow, oval
- Color:Pale brown with whitish stripes across abdomen.
- Legs:6
- Wings:Yes
- Antenna:Yes
DIET:
We usually say, “I have been bitten by a mosquito”, but this is not completely true. In fact, mosquitoes do not bite. Female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar and blood. They need the protein to reproduce. To get to the blood, they pierce our skin with their “proboscis” and suck our blood. Male mosquitoes feed exclusively on plant nectars. Mosquitoes are busiest at night and will fly up to 14 miles for a blood meal. They hunt for food by detecting body heat and Carbon Dioxide, the gas we breathe out.
Some species of mosquitoes act a vector and transmit most harmful diseases, like Malaria, Chikengunya, Dengue &Filaria, in addition to becoming a nuisance.
...HABITAT:
Mosquitoes breed in soft, moist soil or stagnant water sources such as storm drains, old tires, children’s wading pools and birdbaths.
IMPACT:
Mosquitoes spread diseases such as West Nile Virus,malaria and dengue fever.
PREVENTION:
- Replace all stagnant water at least once a week.
- Remove trash from around any standing water.
- When sleeping outdoors or in areas where mosquito populations are heavy, surround your bed with “mosquito” netting.
- Screen windows, doors and other openings with fine mesh.
Permanent measures include impounding water and ditching, and draining swampy mosquito breeding areas. Temporary measures include treating breeding areas to kill larvae and aerosol spraying (ULV) by ground or aerial equipment to kill adult and larval mosquitoes.
LARVICIDING TREATMENT
- Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water such as clogged storm water drains, septic tanks and other water stagnant areas.
- Suitable larvicide is applied on the surface of the stagnant water depending upon type of water that is clean or dirty water.