Mosquito Fast Facts

 

Mosquito life cycle – From egg to larva to pupa to adult – all in about 10 to 14 days.

The first 3 stages of a mosquitoes life are spent in water. Different species have unique preferences for the type of water. Culex mosquitoes generally lay their eggs at night, preferring stagnant water in protected areas[4]: storm drains, clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, puddles, or marshy areas. Aedes prefer to lay their eggs in containers like tires, flower pots and corrugated drainpipes. Larvae emerge from the eggs within 24 hours.

The larvae live in the water for 7 to 14 days, depending on water temperature, then mature to become pupae. This stage of development is short, lasting 1 to 4 days. The adult mosquito emerges on the water surface – where it must rest while the wings dry and harden[5]^,[6].

Notably, many larvicides work by changing water’s surface tension so that mosquitoes cannot rest atop the water while their wings dry. Instead, they slip under water and drown.

Most mosquitoes only live 3-4 weeks.

 

Mosquitoes are attracted by…

• Carbon dioxide and lactic acid are known attractants; many other hormones and compounds emitted by humans (on skin and in breath) are believed to be attractants as well. (DEET works by blocking  mosquitoes’ chemoreceptors, so they cannot detect these compounds) [7]^,8.
• Sweat, skin temperature and moisture are attractants^7,[8].
• Floral fragrances, soaps, lotions and shampoos may also act as attractants.
• Colors – according to the American Mosquito Control Association[9]:

Black clothing is most attractive to mosquitoes, followed closely by red

Blues and greys are neutral

Khaki, green, light khaki, and yellow are not attractive to mosquitoes

White is least attractive to mosquitoes

 

Mosquitoes transmit diseases – According to the CDC[10]:

Arboviral Encephalitis 150-3000 cases annually

Eastern Equine Encephalitis, average of 5 cases per year, with 1/3 fatal

La Crosse Encephalitis, 70 cases per year, mostly in California

St. Louis Encephalitis, 4651 cases since 1964

West Nile Virus 3623 cases in the US in 2007 alone, with 124 fatalities