Mosquitoes are ubiquitous insects, they can be found in nearly every type of climatic region of the world from the arctic regions to the tropics, surviving severe winters or dry seasons depending on the region. Depending on species they can be found breeding in all types of water; from heavily polluted, to clean; from small collections of water in tin cans, to pools or streams; such is their adaptability. Their distribution is increased and aided by transport systems such as boats and aircraft and non-indigenous species have been introduced to new territories in this way, even infected mosquitoes have been transported to temperate climates, thereby transmitting tropical diseases.

Female mosquitoes need the iron and protein in your blood to reproduce. That's why they're so intent on biting you. Once they have your blood, they just need to find somewhere to lay eggs. Mosquito breeding grounds can be anywhere with standing, stagnant water. This includes gutters, dog bowls, bird baths and containers, such as bottle caps. While you can do your best to minimize stagnant water on your own property, you have no control over what your neighbors do. That's why it's important to have effective mosquito control.

Everyone knows mosquitoes can cause welts and severe itching, preventing you and your family from enjoying the outdoors. But they're more than just a nuisance — they can make heading outside a risk. Did you know that the tiny mosquito is actually the deadliest killer in the animal kingdom? It’s true. The saliva of the mosquito transmitted to the host with the bite can cause itching and a rash. In addition, many species of mosquitoes inject or ingest (or both) disease-causing organisms with the bite and are thus vectors of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, Chikungunya, West Nile virus, dengue fever, filariasis, Zika virus as well as the newly detected Keystone virus and Rift Valley fever. By transmitting diseases, mosquitoes kill more people than any other animal.

When mosquitoes find their way inside your home through an open door or window, they usually rest in dark, hidden areas, but will come out at night in search of a blood meal. Some mosquito species are active at different times of the day, but most emerge just before dusk and are active at night. Mosquito treatment is usually an integrated effort involving source reduction plus the use of chemical control products when needed. Since mosquitoes develop in water, source reduction targets and eliminates water sources favorable for mosquito breeding. While source reduction is the more effective long-term approach to mosquito treatment, the mosquito treatment plan may require using chemical products to supplement source reduction.

Did You Know?

• Female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite, the males, do NOT bite.
• There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes.
• Mosquito is a Spanish word and means “little fly”.
• Mosquitoes don't have teeth.
• A mosquito drinks blood, this we know, but did you know it can consume three times its weight?
• When female mosquitoes lay eggs, they can lay up to 300 eggs at a time.
• The first 10 days of a Mosquitoes life is spent in water.
• Mosquitoes do hibernate.
• The average mosquito only lives about 2 months.
• Mosquitoes have six legs.
• Male mosquitoes use the sound of their wings to locate females.
• Mosquitoes don’t fly far or fast.
• Mosquitoes will generally stay under 25 feet when they fly.
• Human breath is detectable by mosquitoes.
• A humans’ sweat helps mosquitoes find their victims.
• Mosquitoes use body heat to find their target.
• Mosquitoes will eat both day and night.
• Mosquitoes have been in existence since the dinosaur era.
• The bumps left behind from mosquito bites are actually caused by saliva.
• Malaria is a disease caused by mosquitoes.
• Mosquitoes do not transmit HIV.
• Mosquitoes are considered the deadliest “animal” in the world due to the diseases that they carry.
• Mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing.