Mosquitoes: Practical Advice For Homowners: Mosquito Biology

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ENTFACT-005

MOSQUITOES: PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR HOMOWNERS


M. F. Potter, Lee Townsend, and F. W. Knapp

Mosquitoes can make life miserable. Many recreational will hatch when inundated with rain water.
and work activities have been ruined by the constant
annoyance and irritation caused by their bites. Also, The larval stage begins at egg hatch. Mosquito larvae,
some species can transmit serious diseases. While more called are "wrigglers" because of their distinctive
than 50 mosquito species can be found in the swimming style. They can be seen when they come to
Commonwealth, only a few are a significant nuisance the surface of the water to breathe through a distinctive
and / or public health threat. This publication explains tube that extends from the end of their body. The larvae
how and where mosquitoes breed and what can be done feed on microorganisms in the water and grow rapidly
to reduce their numbers in and around the home and to in warm weather. Full grown larvae become pupae,
protect yourself from bites. often called "tumblers" because they tumble end-over-
end through the water. Pupae transform into adults after
MOSQUITO BIOLOGY a few days.
Successful long term mosquito control requires a
knowledge of where and how they develop. All Female mosquitoes are blood feeders and may live for
mosquitoes pass through four life stages: egg, larva, more than a month. They generally require a blood
pupa, and adult. The number of days from egg to adult meal before laying eggs. Mosquitoes rely on various
varies with species and temperature. Under ideal cues to find potential hosts on which to feed. Heat,
conditions, some mosquitoes can complete their cycle movement, exhaled carbon dioxide, and body scent
of development from egg to adult in less than a week. allow hungry mosquitoes to home in on their prey from
long and short distances. Some mosquito species feed
The two major groups of mosquitoes in Kentucky, on humans; many feed on wild and domestic birds and
Culex sp. and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) sp., have somewhat mammals. A few even feed on reptiles and amphibians.
different egg-laying habits. Culex mosquitoes lay Adult male mosquitoes do not bite. They live 1 to 2
groups of eggs on the surface of water in rain barrels, weeks and feed on nectar and plant juices.
bird baths, tin cans, old tires, car bodies, cisterns, roof
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Unfortunately, there is no easy solution for managing
mosquitoes. Countless products on the market claim to
be effective and easy to use but few have appreciable
value in lessening the annoyance and incidence of
bites. Unlike most insects found around homes,
mosquitoes are pervasive outdoor pests and there are
limits to what can be done to minimize their
abundance, Nonetheless, there are measures that can
afford some relief.

Breeding Site Reduction


The most effective way to reduce the number of
mosquitoes around homes and neighborhoods is to find
and eliminate their breeding sites - standing water.
Adults of some mosquito species remain near their
breeding site. Others can travel long distances, even up
gutters and any other containers which hold water. to several miles. Because of this, problem mosquitoes
Aedes mosquitoes place their eggs at the base of may come from breeding sites some distance away.
vegetation in low lying areas that flood periodically.
However, they also can deposit their eggs above the Regardless of recent weather patterns - wet, dry, warm,
water line in artificial containers (such as tin cans, old or cool - there are plenty of potential places in which
tires, etc.) or in tree holes that hold water. These eggs mosquitoes can develop. A neglected bird bath,
swimming pool, or clogged rain gutter can produce Many products and formulations containing
hundreds of new mosquitoes in a just a few days. Trees methoprene (Altosid) and Bti (Bactimos, Vectobac) are
uprooted by storms leave soil depressions that collect used by mosquito abatement agencies and other
seepage and rainwater. Large areas of standing water, professionals. Homeowners can purchase methoprene
such as from swamps, sluggishly moving streams or as PreStrike. It is sold as granules in shaker bottles.
ditches may require efforts beyond those of individual Less than a dozen granules are needed to prevent
property owners. However, there are effective steps mosquitoes from developing in a flower pot bottom or
that individuals can take to minimize mosquito bird bath. Less than a teaspoon of PreStrike granules is
breeding on their property, needed to treat 100 feet of rain guttering. Mosquito
development will be inhibited for up to a month in
1. Dispose of old tires, buckets, aluminum cans, plastic ornamental ponds and similar bodies of water; longer
sheeting or other refuse that can hold water. Empty protection is provided in sites that periodically dry out.
accumulated water from trash cans, boats, wheel
barrows, pet dishes, and flower pot bottoms. If Various products containing Bti are available to
possible, turn these items over when they are not in homeowners (e.g. Mosquito Dunks or Quick Kill
use. Mosquito Granules). Typically, one donut-shaped
Mosquito Dunk is recommended per 100 square feet of
2. Clean debris from rain gutters and unclog obstructed water surface. The dunk breaks down slowly when wet
downspouts. Clogged rain gutters are one of the most and releases the insecticide over about a 30 day period.
overlooked breeding sites for mosquitoes around The Mosquito Quick Kill product is a granular
homes. Remove any standing water on flat roofs or formulations that begin to release the Bti toxin more
around structures. Repair leaking faucets and air quickly than the dunks, resulting in faster action. While
conditioners that produce puddles for several days. results come more quickly, the residual life of the
treatment is generally not as long as the dunk
3. Change water in bird baths and wading pools at least formulation. Granular formulations may be more
once a week and keep swimming pools cleaned and desirable when treating smaller areas, such as flower
chlorinated. Ornamental pools can be aerated or pots or tree holes.
stocked with mosquito-eating fish. Aeration / water
movement helps because mosquitoes prefer quiet, non- With a little careful observation it is fairly easy to see
flowing water for egg-laying and development. mosquito larvae in clear, shallow water over light
colored bottoms. They are harder to see in dark,
4. Fill or drain ditches and swampy areas, and other stagnant water where there is a lot of debris or
soil depressions and remove, drain, or fill tree holes vegetation. Avoid casting a shadow over the water
and stumps with mortar or sealant to prevent when inspecting for mosquitos because the larvae and
accumulation of water. Eliminate standing water and pupae will dive in response to light changes. They can
seepage around animal watering troughs, cisterns, and be captured by quickly plunging a long-handled dipper
septic tanks. Be sure that cistern screens are intact and into the water.
that access covers fit tightly.
Adult Mosquito Control
5. Irrigate lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water Mosquito breeding sites are not always obvious or
from standing for several days. accessible so some nearby sources will remain
undetected or impractical to treat. Also, mosquitoes can
Larval Control fly in from some distance away. Therefore, it may be
Use of a mosquito larvicide may be beneficial when it necessary to take additional measures against adults..
is impractical to eliminate a breeding site. Larvicides
are insecticides which are used to control immature Mosquitoes prefer to rest in protected sites during the
mosquitoes before they have a chance to develop into day. Yards with lots of trees, shrubs, and dense
biting adults (Table 1). vegetation or properties adjoining such areas, can have
nightmarish problems. Consequently, removal of tall
Most larvicides sold to homeowners contain either the weeds and overgrowth is part of an integrated mosquito
active ingredient methoprene or a toxin produced by management program.
the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis
(Bti). Methoprene prevents adult emergence by To further reduce intolerable levels of biting
disrupting the development of mosquito larvae. Bti mosquitoes, insecticides can be applied to the lower
toxin attacks the digestive tract. It lethal is only to limbs of shade trees, shrubs, and other shaded areas,
mosquito wrigglers and the larvae of some aquatic such as under decks and along foundations. Pyrethroid
gnats and black flies. Neither methoprene nor Bti toxin insecticides (Table 2.) are effective but will need to be
is harmful to fish, waterfowl, pets, or humans when reapplied periodically. A hose-end sprayer is usually
used according to label directions. most effective and convenient for such applications.
Always read and follow label directions before
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using any pesticide. Some homeowners may wish some situations they could even attract more
to enlist the services of a professional for this mosquitoes into the area one is hoping to protect.
service.
Advertisements for portable electronic devices that use
Exclusion high-frequency ultrasonic sound routinely appear in
Mosquitoes can be kept out of the home by keeping magazines and claim to keep mosquitoes and other
windows, doors, and porches tightly sealed and insect pests at bay. Some supposedly repel mosquitoes by
screens in good repair. The occasional mosquito that mimicking the wing beat frequency of a hungry
may enter can be eliminated with a fly swatter. Aerosol dragonfly. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown
foggers and other indoor insecticides labeled for these devices to be of negligible benefit in deterring
mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying insects seldom mosquitoes and reducing bites. Companies that market
provide relief at dosages applied by householders. such devices with unsubstantiated claims have been
told to cease and desist by consumer protection
Personal Protection From Bites agencies but others continue to appear hoping that
While some mosquitoes are daytime biters, most are consumers will buy them. Save your money, these
more active in the evening. Staying indoors at dusk and devices seldom, if ever, provide any measure of relief.
during evening hours will lessen the chance of being
bitten. Long-sleeved shirts and pants will provide Citronella oil does have mosquito repelling properties
protection when outdoors but bites can still occur and the scented candles can provide a degree of
through thin clothing and to exposed skin. protection. For maximum effect, use multiple candles
placed close (within a few feet) of where people are
Topically applied mosquito repellents will help to sitting. A single candle at the center or edge of a picnic
prevent bites when spending time outdoors. The most blanket probably won’t provide much benefit other
effective mosquito repellents contain the active than atmosphere. Mosquito repellent plants like garlic
ingredient diethyl toluamide (DEET). The higher the and other oft-advertized botanicals generally are
percentage of DEET in the product, the longer the ineffective.
protection lasts. Low percentage formulations are
available for use with young children. Bats and certain types of birds (purple martins) often
are cited as effective natural agents for managing
Non-DEET containing repellents (e.g. Avon Skin-So- mosquitoes. Conservation groups and articles in nature
Soft with citronella oil) may provide some relief but magazines often suggest building bat and bird houses
generally to a lesser degree and for shorter duration to promote nesting and to protect against mosquitoes.
than DEET products. It is often desirable to apply However, mosquitoes make up only a small portion of
insect repellent on outer clothing as well as the skin. their natural diet. Much like “bug zappers”, they
Always read and follow directions on the container. capture all kinds of flying insects. Efforts to colonize
Mosquito repellent should not be applied to the hands and conserve these animals should not be done solely
of young children, and treated skin should be washed with the intent of significantly diminishing biting
with soap and water after returning indoors. mosquitoes. When it comes to managing mosquitoes,
a good rule of thumb is “if the device or method sounds
Other Control Possibilities too good to be true, then probably it is.
Many consumer products claim to attract, repel or kill
mosquitoes. Most of these devices do not appreciably MOSQUITOS AND DISEASE
reduce mosquito abundance or incidence of bites, or Apart from the annoyance, the blood-feeding habits of
else are unproven. Electrocuting devices or "Bug adult mosquitoes also can occasionally result in life-
zappers", using ultraviolet light as an attractant, are threatening diseases. Malaria and yellow fever used to
generally ineffective in reducing outdoor populations be common diseases in Kentucky but they have been
of mosquitoes or their biting activity. Studies indicate successfully eliminated through widespread public
that mosquitoes make up only a tiny percentage of the health efforts.
insects captures in such traps. The majority are moths,
beetles, and other harmless night flying insects. Currently, viral encephalitides are the most common
mosquito-borne illnesses transmitted to people.
Other types of mosquito traps use carbon dioxide, “Encephalitis” simply means an inflamation of the
warmth, light, and various chemicals (e.g. octenol) as brain and can be caused by a variety of viruses and
attractants and claim to capture tremendous numbers of bacteria in addition to those transmitted by mosquitoes.
mosquitoes. Such devices often cost hundreds of Mosquito-borne strains of viral encephalitis include
dollars and some sell for over $1,000. Performance eastern equine, St Louis, LaCrosse, and most notably,
claims to the contrary, such devices seldom have been West Nile.
shown to actually reduce populations of biting
mosquitoes on a property, or the incidence of bites. In Birds and small mammals are important natural hosts

3
for these viruses which are transmitted to humans and bite are extremely small.
horses through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms of viral encephalitis in humans can include Canine Heartworm
fever, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, and Dogs are quite susceptible to canine heartworm, a
convulsions. nematode that can be transmitted by certain
mosquitoes. Infected animals may develop severe
West Nile virus has been found virtually throughout circulatory problems and display symptoms such as
Kentucky in recent years. Even areas where mosquitoes coughing, labored breathing, and loss of vitality.
do carry the virus, very few mosquitoes-much less than Preventive drug treatment is available through your
1%- are infected. If an infected mosquito bites you, you veterinarian.
have less than 1% chance of severe illness. The
chances of being severely ill from any one mosquito

Table 1. Registered larvicides for application to mosquito breeding sites

Insecticide Example Trade Name Remarks

Bacillus thuringiensis Mosquito Dunks Apply according to label directions.


israelensis (Bti) Mosquito Quick Kill Granules

Methoprene PreStrike Granules Apply according to label

Table 2. Registered insecticides for adult mosquito control on lawns and vegetation

Insecticide Formulation Remarks

cyfluthrin Bayer Advanced Ready To Use - connects to garden hose


PowerForce Mosquito
Killer

lambda- Spectracide Available in Ready To Use or Concentrate formulations


cyhalothrin Triazicide

permethrin Ortho Mosquito B Ready To Use - connects to garden hose


Gone
Spectracide Mosquito Concentrate
Stop

West Nile Virus Web Site- Ky Cabinet for Health Services, Department for Public Health
This site provides the most up to date status of West Nile Virus in the Commonwealth
http://chs.ky.gov/publichealth/west_nile_virus1.htm

Division of Waste Management Tire Amnesty Program is a means of disposing of unwanted tires, a primary
breeding site for some mosquito species.
http://www.waste.ky.gov/programs/tires/tire%20amnesty.htm

7/03

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