Mosquito Facts

Facts About Mosquitoes

With more than 3,500 species and records dating back over 200 million years, mosquitoes are well-known throughout the world for their blood-sucking and itchy bites. What do you need to know about these biting bugs?

Mosquitoes

• Mosquitoes are a variety of fly, and the word mosquito is Spanish for “little fly”
• 175 species of mosquitoes are found in the US—the culex and aedes families are some of the most common
• Mosquito lifespan lasts around 10 days for males, and up to 6 weeks for females
• Only female mosquitoes bite, and they can drink up to 3 times their weight in blood
• Mosquitoes need water to breed: females can lay up to 300 eggs at a time on the surface of standing water
• Female mosquitoes suck blood to get nourishment for their eggs
• Mosquitoes do not transmit HIV, but they can carry other diseases like Zika, West Nile Virus, Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya
• A group of mosquitoes is called a swarm
• Although often misspelled as “mosquitos,” the plural form does have an e after the o

Mosquito Behavior

• Mosquitoes have the ability to smell human breath and sweat and can sense movement and body temperature and movement which allows them to find their prey
• Humans are not their predator of choice, rather they prefer horses, cattle and birds
• Mosquitoes can flap their wings up to 500 times a minute, and the males find a mate by listening to the frequency of wing flaps
• Mosquito bites are caused by their saliva that they pump in while sucking blood
• Mosquitoes don’t fly very high or very fast—typically below 25 feet and at around 1-1.5 mph
• Different varieties of mosquitoes bite at different times during the day or night

Mosquito Prevention

• Insect repellents that contain DEET are the most effective at preventing mosquitoes
• Bug zappers are more likely to kill harmless insects than biting ones
• Essential oils like rosemary and thyme can also be effective at repelling mosquitoes
• Professional mosquito control is an effective method for keeping your property mosquito free, and regular treatments are necessary

Check out our FAQ and our blog for even more information and facts about mosquitoes or contact us to learn more about our services today.