Mosquitoes

Mosquito Habitat and Behavior

Mosquitoes are distributed worldwide from the tropics to the Arctic area. They pose a greater threat to man's health than any other animal species. They are notorious for their pesky biting habit. There are approximately 2,700 species of mosquitoes with the majority belonging to 3 genera: Aedes ( Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus ), Anopheles (Anopheles maculatus , Anopheles sundaicus) and Culex (Culex gelidus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus ). Aedes aegypti is known for transmitting dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus.

With all these species, there is one thing they have in common – they need water to reproduce and complete their life cycle.

The most effective way to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes and neighborhoods is to find and eliminate their breeding sites – stagnant water.

Adults of some mosquito species remain near their breeding sites. Others can travel long distances, even up to several miles in search of a blood meal or a breeding habitat. Because of this, mosquitoes may originate from breeding sites some distance away.

Aedes mosquitoes are day biters, easily recognized by their black bodies with white markings.

Culex mosquitoes bite after midnight and are light brown in color.

Anopheles mosquitoes usually bite in the early part of the night. They are brown with white or red spots on their wings.

I experience mosquito bites from time to time. What should I do to prevent mosquito breeding at home?

There is a possibility of mosquito breeding in your home or neighborhood. As the life cycle of mosquitoes is about a week, you are advised to check your home thoroughly at least once a week to get rid of any stagnant water in flower vases, potted plants and unwanted receptacles to prevent mosquito breeding. If the nuisance persists, you should direct such feedback to the appropriate authority to check and eliminate the nuisance. If you need professional assistance, it is advisable to engage a reliable Pest Management Company to conduct a check around your premises to ensure that it is free from mosquito breeding.

Damage

They are a very important vector of human diseases such as dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever, Zika virus, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, filariasis and Chikungunya.

Tips to prevent mosquitoes

1, Remove any stagnant water from your property.

2, Fill permanently or drain any low spaces such as puddles, ruts & ditches.

3, Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean of weeds and trash.

4, Repair leaky pipes and outdoor faucets.

5, If you have a pond, try stocking it with fish that feeds on mosquito larvae (minnows, guppies).

6, Fill water-holding holes in trees and hollow stumps with sand or concrete.

7, Change the water in birdbaths, plant pots and drip trays at least once a week.

8, Keep the lawn cut short and shrubbery well-trimmed around the house.

9, Make sure the swimming pool is properly cared for while on vacation.

10, Cover waste containers to keep out rainwater.

11, Cover bamboo pole holders when not in use.