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Mosquitoes got you itching? Browse around here for some remedies. We have reviews of different mosquito traps and an educational resource about mosquitoes, and what you can do to avoid being bitten.

About Mosquitoes

About Mosquitoes:

Mosquitoes are blood-feeding ectoparasites of people and animals. There are about
100 trillion mosquitoes with at least 3,450 species in the world. Mosquito-borne
diseases infect about 700 million people each year and kill 3 million. Of all of
the harmful creatures on earth, the mosquito probably presents the greatest threat
to mankind.

There are approximately 200 different species of mosquitoes in North America. Each
species lives in a specific habitat and exhibits unique behaviors. Despite these
differences, all mosquitoes share some common traits such as a four-stage life cycle.

Mosquitoes annoying, itching bite can transmit malaria, yellow fever, Dengue fever,
and several forms of encephalitis including the newest concern, West Nile Virus.
Mosquitoes also transmit several diseases to dogs, cats, and horses. These include
heartworm in dogs and cats, with strains of encephalitis including West Nile Virus
in horses. To date, there is no approved treatment of heartworms in cats.

The US and Canada spend about 150 million dollars each year in an effort to control
mosquitoes. This does not include money spent by individuals on repellants, insecticide,
poisons, screens, and other products.

Mosquitoes have survived for over 30 million years. Over time, they have evolved
a variety of sensors designed to track their prey, including:

Chemical Sensors - mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide and lactic acid up to 100
feet (36 meters) away. Mammals emit these gases as part of the breathing process.
Sweat and the chemicals it contains also seem to be an attractant. (People who
sweat heavily seem to get more mosquito bites).

Visual Sensors - Mosquitoes seem to hone in on clothing that contrasts with the
wearers background, especially if there is movement. The strategy is that anything
moving is alive, and therefore full of blood.

Heat Sensors - Mosquitoes can detect heat, and as a result, all warm blooded mammals
and birds.

Most mosquitoes belong to one of three genera:

Aedes - Sometimes referred to as "floodwater mosquitoes" because they
rely on flooding for their eggs to hatch. They include species such as the yellow-fever
mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito. Aedes are strong fliers capable of traveling
great distances from their breeding sites (up to 75 miles/121 kms). They persistently
bite mainly humans, are most active at dawn or in the early evening. Their bites
are painful.

Anopheles - These breed in bodies of permanent fresh water. They include several
species such as the common malaria mosquito that can spread malaria to humans.

Culex - These tend to breed in quiet standing water. They include species such
as the northern house mosquito. Culex species are weak fliers and live for only
a few weeks during the summer months. They feed mostly on birds, instead of humans.
They attack at dawn or after dusk with a painful bite.

The Difference between Male and Female Mosquitoes:

What makes mosquitoes different from all other flies is the presence of a long piercing
mouthpart called a proboscis. Male mosquitoes differ from the female in that they
have feathery antennae and smaller mouthparts.

The most important difference between male and female however lies in the use of
the proboscis. The adult male uses its mouthparts to feed on flower nectar and
juices. The female mouthparts however are used for piercing, cutting, and sucking.
Only the female mosquito sucks blood, which she needs to produce eggs.

Life Cycle & Breeding:

Mosquitoes like all insects, hatch from eggs and go through several stages in their
life cycles before becoming adults. The females lay her eggs in water. The larval
and pupa stages live entirely in water. When the pupa changes into adults, they
leave the water and become free-flying land insects. Life cycles vary from one
to several weeks depending on species.

Egg:

With the exception of Aedes mosquitoes, all species lay their eggs on the surface
of standing water. Eggs can be laid singly, or as a group forming a raft formation.
Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs above water in protected areas that eventually flood.
Most eggs can survive the winter and will hatch in the spring. They can lie dormant
for up to 7 years.

Larva:

Mosquito eggs hatch into larva or "wigglers, which live on the surface of
water, and except for the Anopheles larvae, breathe through an air tube or siphon.
Anopheles breathes directly through a hole in their abdomens. Initially, the larvae
filter organic material through their mouthparts, but can turn cannibalistic over
the 4 - 10 day development period. This development period is determined by species
and water temperature. The larvae will shed their skin or "molt" several
times over this period. This is the mosquitoes' most vulnerable period as they
are concentrated in small areas. They are however capable of swimming, and dive
down from the surface when disturbed.

Pupa:

After the fourth "molt, the larvae change into pupae or "tumblers, which
live in the water anywhere from 1 to 10 days, depending on water temperature and
species. The pupa has a large combined head and thorax, and a slender abdomen giving
it a comma shape. The pupa swims actively and breathes through two small tubes,
or "trumpets.

Adult:

Small and fragile, two winged with long, slender legs, adult mosquitoes are capable
of flying from one to several miles, and may fly up to 300 miles in their lifetimes.
Some adults will not go more than 500 feet from their larval habitat, while others
can cover 6-8 miles with the help of the wind. Adult flying mosquitoes often rest
in tall grass and shrubbery during non-biting periods.

Mating:

The female flies into a swarm of males and mating takes place almost immediately
in midair. Mating takes from 4 - 40 seconds and some couples stay together for
as much as an hour.