Mosquitoes

Appearance:

Color: Varies; Pale brown with whitish stripes across abdomen
Legs: 6
Shape: Narrow oval
Size: ¼”-3/8” Region: Found throughout the U.S.

Diet: Female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar and blood; male mosquitoes feed exclusively on plant nectars. Because they need protein to reproduce, female mosquitoes pierce skin with their proboscis and suck blood. Mosquitoes are busiest at night and will fly up to 14 miles for a blood meal. They hunt for food by detecting body heat and carbon dioxide, the gas we breathe out.
Habitat: Mosquitoes breed in soft, moist soil or stagnant water sources such as storm drains, old tires, children’s wading pools and birdbaths.
Risks: Mosquitoes spread diseases such as West Nile virus, malaria and dengue fever.

Prevention:

Replace all stagnant water at least once a week.
Remove trash from around any standing water.
When sleeping outdoors or in areas where mosquito populations are heavy, surround your bed with “mosquito” netting.
Screen windows, doors and other openings with fine mesh.
Avoid going outdoors at night.
Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin anytime you’re around mosquitoes. DEET doesn’t kill the mosquitoes; rather it disorients them so they look elsewhere for food.