The mosquito is a disease carrier and an irritant, but the mosquito is not impossible to control. Understanding mosquito’s biology and the mosquito breeding cycle can result in effective pest control for mosquito infestation. This pesky mosquito is found worldwide.
The mosquito affects humans only in their adult stage, all other mosquitoes stages occur in water. There are about three thousand species of mosquitoes worldwide, approximately 170 species in North America. Breeding sites, biting preferences, time of day they bite and ability to transmit diseases vary with the species.
Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis, egg, larvae, pupae and adult. The adult male feeds on nectar and is important only for mating. The female usually must have a blood feast in order to produce viable eggs and that is where the problems begin. They feed on mammals, and humans are among some species favorites. This is annoying and at times unbearable, but not as scary as the diseases some are able to carry. Certain female mosquitoes are capable of being vectors (disease carriers,) of Malaria, West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever, Dengue, and Dog Heartworm.
Breeding occurs with mosquitoes in any area there is standing water such as stagnant ponds, discarded tires, tree stumps, etc. The more rainfall per season, the more numerous the mosquitoes. With mild winters and excessive rainfalls the possibility of a troublesome mosquito season is more likely.
Complete development from egg to adult varies with species and temperature, but usually takes from 10-14 days. Once the eggs hatch into larvae or wigglers they begin feeding on algae and other organic matter in the water. The larvae develop through four molts and pupate. The pupae do not feed but are mobile spending much of their time near the water surface to breathe, and after one to three days emerge as an adult. The adults mate 24-48 hours after emergence.
The male dies after six or seven days, the female, depending on the species, lives from two weeks to 3 months during the summer. Once she has had a blood meal she will lay her first and largest brood of 50-500 eggs. Subsequent broods will be smaller but there will be 8-10 broods. Consider an average brood of 200 eggs per brood and that this insect can complete its development in less than two weeks, we can obtain in only five generations some 20 million of these pests.
Mosquito Control
Mosquito control can be achieved using a biological environmentally safe bacteria that kills only mosquito larvae or an I.G.R. (insect growth regulator.) The best time to control mosquitos is before they become adults. Through careful inspection of breeding sites and timely applications of a larvicide you can achieve up to ninety percent control.
Mosquito Preventive Measures
Some mosquito problems can be eliminated by local residents. This could possibly reduce the number of costly applications during the season, especially in a cooperative effort. The preventative measures are as follows:
-Clean and maintain catch basins that hold water.
-Collect and properly discard all useless artificial containers such as cans bottles and old tire casings.
-Cover or turn over other containers such as boats, barrels, tubs and tanks.
-Inspect and clean rain gutters and down spouts regularly
-Fill or drain low places where water may accumulate and stand for more than one week.
-Properly maintain backyard swimming pools.
If drainage is a major problem, or if drainage ditches remain damp, use alarvicide. (mosquito dunk or Altosid) These are biological or growth regulators and are not harmful to fish, humans or other animals.
Let Bircher Exterminating Services be the company you call to keep you protected. Contact us today at
602-861-9800
