Mosquitos
Scientific Name: Culicidae
Mosquitoes feed on the blood of numerous types of hosts, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some kinds of fish. Mosquitoes draw very little blood which is not of much importance to the host but, their saliva causes an irritating, itchy rash that some individuals are allergic to.
Many species of mosquitoes are carriers of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, west nile virus, dengue fever, filariasis, and other arboviruses, rendering it the deadliest animal in the world.
By LadyofHats [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Identification and Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes have a single pair of wings, long thin legs and range in size from 3 – 9 mm. They require water for two stages of their life cycle, so it is important to remove any standing water in containers that would be an ideal breeding environment. To prevent your exposure to mosquitoes, wear long sleeves and pants to cover any exposed skin. Only use EPA-registered mosquito repellants when necessary. There are traps and sprays available that will attract and kill mosquitoes. Contact a pest control professional to inspect, diagnose, and treat severe mosquito problems.
Facts
- Mosquito bodes and wings are covered in tiny scales.
- Male mosquitoes do not have the mouth parts necessary for sucking blood, only the females do.
- There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes documented in various parts of the world.
