Get Familiar with the Different Types of Mosquitoes

Worldwide, there are more than 2,700 species of mosquitoes.  Rather than trying to learn how to differentiate among all these different species, it’s better to focus on the three genera that cause the most problems for humans.

The first genus to look at is the Aedes mosquitoes.  Because they need flood waters for their eggs to hatch, these mosquitoes are often called floodwater mosquitoes.  They have pointed abdomens and are capable of traveling considerable distances from their breeding sites – in fact, these strong fliers have been known to fly up to 75 miles.  Their “prey” of choice is mammals, and they have a particular fondness for humans.  The mosquito that causes yellow fever, Aedes aegypti, belongs to this genus, as does the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus.

As humans have moved throughout the world, they’ve brought the Aedes mosquito with them – it can now be found on every continent, except Antarctica.  In fact, the most invasive mosquito in the world is the Asian tiger mosquito.  Not only do Aedes mosquitoes carry yellow fever, they also carry dengue fever, as well as human lymphatic filariasis.

The next genus is the Anopheles mosquito.  You’ll find these mosquitoes breeding in clean fresh water, such as lakes, although they can live in both fresh and salt water.  Different species of this genus have differing preferences as to plant life and shade.  Their abdomens resemble those of the Aedes mosquito, and these small mosquitoes have black and white stripes on their legs and body.  The mosquito that spreads malaria to humans, the Anopheles quadrimaculatus, is part of this genus.  The mosquito that transmits the most deadly form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is the Anoepheles gambiae mosquito.

In standing water, you’ll find members of the genus Culex.  Unlike the previous two classes, these mosquitoes have blunt tips on their abdomens.  Although the bite of the Culex mosquito is painful, most generally prefer to bite birds rather than humans.  Their lives are short, lasting only a few weeks each summer and they don’t fly well, leading to their preference to stay put in standing water.  Culex pipiens – or the northern house mosquito – is a part of this genus.  A number of diseases are spread by the genus Culex, including filariasis, avian malaria, West Nile Virus, Japanese encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis.

One key difference among the three genera is the type of water they need for breeding. The Aedes mosquito needs flood water, while the Anopheles mosquito needs oxygenated water that’s relatively still, like a pond.  The water can’t be moving too much, but it must be “alive,” with plants and animals that produce oxygen.  The Culex mosquito is the one you’ll find in bits of water in discarded tires or in the drip tray of the plant you’ve watered too much.  They need stagnant water that isn’t “alive” and contains no algae, plants or animals to keep the water oxygenated in order to thrive.

As our world changes, so too do the habitats of mosquitoes.  One cause for concern is that many winters no longer have cold enough temperatures that are sufficiently sustained to kill off the adult population of the previous year.  In addition, Aedes mosquitoes are moving north as they adapt to cooler temperatures and some of their eggs can even survive despite temperatures that are below freezing.  As the climate continues to warm, this could lead to a boom in future mosquito populations and a corresponding rise in mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquitoes – Fact and Fiction

It seems like something out of a science fiction novel.  You notice you’re being bitten by a mosquito.  Simply pull your skin on either side of the mosquito taut, trapping the mosquito’s proboscis, and you force the mosquito to ingest so much blood that she explodes.  Fact or fiction?

Surprisingly, this is true and has been verified by a number of people.  However, the bigger question is why you might want to do this.  It doesn’t do anything except kill one mosquito that has already bitten you and subjected you to whatever diseases it may be carrying.  It does nothing to prevent future bites or to reduce the local population of mosquitoes.

So explode the mosquito if it brings you pleasure or a sense of accomplishment, but unless you derive a great deal of joy from watching a mosquito drown in your own blood, there are better ways to manage the annoying little pests.

Everybody is looking for the ultimate mosquito repellent and sprays made from garlic often come up on the radar.  But is it true that the scent of garlic sprays, which eventually become undetectable to the human nose, causes mosquitoes, with their more sensitive sense of smell, to avoid certain areas?

This one falls firmly in the fiction category – mosquitoes really don’t have a sense of smell at all.  Yes, they’re attracted to certain odors, but most repellents work not by making you smell bad to the mosquito, but by covering up your normally attractive aroma.

If you’re looking for a repellent, there are a number of effective natural remedies, such as DEET, which is very reliable – not garlic sprays.

Ultrasonic transmitters designed to repel mosquitoes have also become very popular lately.  Some stores even offer small models you can wear around your neck as a pendant or clip to your clothing.  But do these transmitters work?  And are they safe for humans to wear?

Here’s the short answer on ultrasonic transmitters – no, they don’t work.  The EPA spent two years testing every ultrasonic transmitter they could get their hands on in hopes of finding a way to get rid of mosquitoes without using chemicals.  Unfortunately, there was no measurable effect on mosquitoes or on humans as far as they could tell.  The EPA’s findings have also been upheld by additional studies at various universities.  In fact, manufacturers of ultrasonic transmitters are finding themselves in trouble with the EPA and the United States government over their unsupported product claims.

The best way to avoid mosquitoes is to remove any potential breeding grounds from the areas you frequent outdoors.  For example, if you see standing water – such as a bird bath, a puddle or even an overturned shovel or flower pot – do your best to eliminate it.  Also, avoid being outside at dusk and dawn when most mosquitoes prefer to bite.  If these two solutions alone aren’t enough to end your mosquito woes, choose an insect repellent that contains DEET for maximum effectiveness.