Mosquito Overview

There are over 170 species of mosquitoes in North America alone. They belong to the same family as flies do, although flies don’t bite.

Appearance

Mosquitos range from three millimeters and nine millimeters. They have a single pair of wings, like flies. They have narrow, oval bodies and are pale brown with whitish stripes across the abdomen. They have six legs and a proboscis.


Habitat

Mosquitos live most often in moist soil or stagnant water sources, such as storm drains, old tires, kiddy pools, and birdbaths. They are typically an outdoor problem and are normally not found indoors. When trapped inside, they congregate in dark, hidden corners of the house and will come out at night.


Breeding

Male Mosquitos seek out female mosquitos using their feathery antennas. After mating, females seek out a meal to aid in the process of egg production. They typically lay their eggs in standing pools of waters, but birdbaths, buckets, and mud puddles will do in a pinch. Females can lay as many as 100 eggs at a time. The larvae are wormlike and are called wrigglers. Larvae eat mostly aquatic organisms but have been known to eat other mosquitos. They feed until ready to pupate. The pupae are called tumblers. After adults emerge, they get out of the water and their exoskeleton hardens.

Damage

It’s a well-known fact that mosquitos bite, but it actually isn’t true. Mosquitos can’t bite. They use their proboscis to pierce the skin and suck blood. Also, only the females do it. Male mosquitos feed entirely on plant nectar. They spread diseases including Zika, West Nile Virus, malaria, dengue fever, and several types of encephalitis.

Control

Fleming Lawn and Pest Services Mosquito control is designed to target all living and breeding areas on your property. We use the latest and most effective equipment to deliver maximum results.

Licensed, Trusted Pest Control Services

At Fleming Lawn and Pest Services, we protect your home or business with superior care. Unlike the “Big Pest Control companies” we don’t pay our technicians based on how many locations they treat in a day.

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