Mosquitoes 101
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-ND.

Here are some of the most
common and notable species.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

• 2. Aedes albopictus: This
species is also known as the
Asian tiger mosquito and is
found in many parts of the
United States, particularly in
the southeastern states. It is a
vector for several diseases,
including dengue fever,
chikungunya, and Zika virus.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under
CC BY-NC-ND.

3. Anopheles
quadrimaculatus:
This species is found
in the eastern United
States and is a vector
for malaria.

• 4. Culex pipiens:
• This species is found
throughout the United
States and is a vector for
West Nile virus and several
types of encephalitis.

• 5. Culex tarsalis: This
species is found in western
and midwestern United
States and is a vector for
West Nile virus and several
types of encephalitis.

6. Celesta inornata:
This species is found in
many parts of the
United States and is a
vector for several types
of encephalitis.

Not all mosquitoes bite people or
animals. When mosquitoes bite
people, the most common reactions to
the bite are itching and swelling.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.

Some Mosquitoes Spread Germs
Only some types of mosquitoes can spread
germs (viruses and parasites) to people and
animals. West Nile virus is one of the most
common mosquito-borne diseases in the
continental United States. Dengue,
chikungunya, and Zika virus outbreaks have
occurred in US states and territories, including
Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Puerto Rico, the US
Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

• Some mosquitoes bite, but do not spread germs.
These types of mosquitoes are called nuisance
mosquitoes. Nuisance mosquitoes can become a
problem immediately following heavy rains, or natural
disasters, such as hurricanes or floods.
• When people spend time outside cleaning up after a
hurricane or flood, they are more likely to be bitten by
nuisance mosquitoes. Large numbers of nuisance
mosquitoes can affect recovery efforts. For this
reason, local or state mosquito control experts will
often take steps to control these mosquitoes.

Facts About Mosquitoes
•Adult mosquitoes live indoors and outdoors.
•Mosquitoes can bite day and night.
•Adult mosquitoes live for about 2 to 4 weeks depending on the
species, humidity, temperature, and other factors. Female
mosquitoes often live longer than male mosquitoes.
•Only female mosquitoes bite people and animals to get a blood
meal. Female mosquitoes need a blood meal to produce eggs.
•Mosquitoes get infected with germs, such as viruses and
parasites, when they bite infected people and animals.
•It takes just a few infected mosquitoes to start an outbreak in a
community and put you and your family at risk of becoming sick.

• All types of mosquitoes have similar life
cycles. A mosquito egg hatches into a
larva. A larva becomes a pupa. An adult
mosquito emerges from the pupa.
• Some mosquitoes lay eggs in water,
others on soil. Some mosquitoes lay their
eggs singly on the surface of water, others
lay several eggs at a time in rafts that float
on water, others lay eggs on moist ground,
and others lay eggs inside containers
above the water line.
OOPS! NOT
THESE
EGGS

• Mosquitoes are small,
flying insects that belong to
the family Culicidae. They
are known for their biting
behavior, as females require
a blood meal in order to
produce eggs. Here are
some key facts about the
biology of mosquitoes:

Life cycle: Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis,
meaning they have four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa,
and adult. The length of the life cycle varies depending on the
species and environmental conditions, but it typically takes
around 7 to 10 days. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in
standing water, where they hatch into larvae. The larvae feed
on small particles in the water and develop into pupae, which
eventually emerge as adult mosquitoes.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

Disease
transmission:
Mosquitoes are
vectors of several
diseases that
affect humans
and animals,
including malaria,
dengue fever,
Zika virus, and
West Nile virus.
When a
mosquito
feeds on an
infected host,
it can pick up
the pathogen
and transmit
it to other
hosts it feeds
on.

Reproduction: Mosquitoes mate in flight, and females can
store sperm for several weeks. When a female mosquito
is ready to lay eggs, she seeks out a suitable water
source and lays her eggs on the surface of the water or
on objects near the water's edge. Mosquitoes can lay
hundreds of eggs at a time, and they can lay multiple
batches of eggs throughout their lifespan.

Overall, mosquitoes are adapted to thrive in a variety of
habitats, and their biology and behavior make them efficient
at finding and feeding on hosts. However, they also pose a
significant threat to human health, making mosquito control
an important public health measure.

Adult mosquito parts key
Head:
The head has many organs that help mosquitoes eat, see, and smell.
Antennae:
Long feather-like organs that detect carbon dioxide from a person’s
breath and movement of air.
Eye:
Mosquitoes have two large compound eyes that detect movement.
Palps: Organs between the antennae that sense odor.

• Proboscis:
• In female mosquitoes, this
mouth part pierces the skin of a
person or animal and sucks out
blood. The male’s proboscis is
not strong enough to pierce the
skin, and males do not feed on
blood. Both female and male
mosquitoes use the proboscis to
feed on flower nectar and fruit
juices.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

Thorax:
The thorax is connected to the head. Wings and legs are
connected to the thorax.
Halter:
A small wing-like organ used for steering while flying.
Wing:
Mosquitoes have two wings used for flying.
Leg:
Mosquitoes have six legs like other insects.

Femur:
Upper part of the leg.
Tibia:
Middle part of the leg.
Tarsus:
End of the leg that helps mosquitoes stand and walk on water.
Abdomen:
The abdomen connects to the thorax and serves as the
stomach, reproductive system, and part of the respiratory
system.
Genitalia: Where eggs are released from the female.

Common types of
mosquitoes in the
United States

Aedes aegypti mosquito
Life Cycle of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus Mosquitoes

• Eggs look like black dirt.
•Adult, female mosquitoes
lay eggs on the inner walls
of containers with water,
above the waterline.
•Eggs stick to container
walls like glue. They can
survive drying out for up to
8 months.

Mosquitoes only need a small amount
of water to lay eggs. Bowls, cups,
fountains, tires, barrels, vases, and
any other container storing water
make a great “nursery.”
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

Culex quinquefasciatus
mosquito
Culex tarsalis mosquito

Life
Cycle
of
Culex
Species
Mosquitoes

Eggs stick together
to form a raft.

•Adult, female mosquitoes lay eggs on the surface of fresh or
stagnant water. Water sources can include barrels, horse troughs,
ornamental ponds, unmaintained swimming pools, puddles,
creeks, ditches, and marshy areas.
A female Culex mosquito lays eggs one at a time. Eggs stick
together to form a raft of 100 to 300 eggs. The raft floats on the
water.

Larva
Larvae in the water

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

Adult
Female
mosquito after a
blood meal.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

Culex mosquitoes don’t fly long distances but have been
known to fly up to 2 miles (3.2 km).
Some Culex mosquitoes prefer to live near and bite birds.
They bite people when other animals are not nearby.
Because Culex bite animals and people, they live outdoors
or near homes.

Anopheles freeborni mosquito

Anopheles
quadrimaculatus
mosquito

Life Cycle of Anopheles
Species Mosquitoes
Eggs Unique Anopheles eggs have floats
on either side.

•Adult, female mosquitoes lay eggs one at a time
directly on water. The eggs float on the surface of the
water.
•Adult, female mosquitoes lay 50–200 eggs at a time.
•Eggs do not tolerate drying out.

Larva

Pupa

An adult mosquito
emerges from a pupa.

•Some Anopheles male mosquitoes fly in large swarms, usually
around dusk, and the females fly in the swarms to mate.
•After blood feeding, the female mosquitoes rest for a few days
while the blood digests and the eggs develop. After the eggs
develop, the female lays them in the water sources.
•Anopheles mosquitoes generally don’t fly more than a 1.2
miles (2 km) from their larval habitats.
•Anopheles mosquitoes are attracted to dark, sheltered areas
for resting during the daytime.

How mosquitoes get infected
For a mosquito to get infected with a germ and then spread that
germ to people or animals is a complex process.
1.A mosquito takes a blood meal from a person or animal.
2.If the blood meal contains a germ, then the germ must pass
from the mosquitoes’ gut into its body. Mosquitoes do not transmit
all kinds of germs, only those that can grow or multiply in the body
of the mosquito.
3.The germ multiplies in the body of the mosquito. Then the germ
moves from the body into the salivary glands where saliva is
made. This process takes 2-3 weeks.

4.The next time a mosquito bites a person or animal, the germ
passes from the salivary glands into the blood of the person or
animal being bitten.
5.The person or animal can get sick.
Ability of a mosquito to get infected with and spread a germ depends
on:
•The type of germ
•Environmental conditions, like temperature
•The amount of a germ eaten during a blood meal
•The age of the mosquito

In the United States, the most common types of mosquitoes that
can spread germs include:
•Aedes species mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti)
•Culex species mosquitoes (Cx. pipiens, Cx. tarsalis, Cx.
quinquefasciatus)
•Anopheles species mosquitoes (An. freeborni and An.
quadrimaculatus)

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People
with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Left
untreated, they may develop severe complications and die. In
2020 an estimated 241 million cases of malaria occurred
worldwide and 627,000 people died, mostly children in sub-
Saharan Africa. About 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the
United States each year. The vast majority of cases in the United
States are in travelers and immigrants returning from countries
where malaria transmission occurs, many from sub-Saharan Africa
and South Asia.

Illness caused by mosquitoes
1.Malaria: This is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease
caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans
by Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, chills, and flu-
like illness.
2. Dengue fever: This is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes
mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, joint
and muscle pain, and rash. In severe cases, dengue fever can cause
hemorrhagic fever and shock.
3. Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an
infected Aedes species (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus) mosquito.
These mosquitoes also spread Zika, chikungunya, and other viruses.

4. Almost half of the world’s population, about 4 billion people, live
in areas with a risk of dengue. Dengue is often a leading cause of
illness in areas with risk.
5. Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue.
Approximately 100 million people get sick from infection, and
40,000 die from severe dengue.
6. Dengue is caused by one of any of four related viruses: Dengue
virus 1, 2, 3, and 4. For this reason, a person can be infected with
a dengue virus as many as four times in his or her lifetime.

Chikungunya: This is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes
mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, and rash. In
some cases, joint pain can persist for months or even years.
Chikungunya virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected
mosquito. The most common symptoms of infection are fever and joint
pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint
swelling, or rash. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa,
Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
There is a risk the virus will be spread to unaffected areas by infected
travelers. There is currently no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat
chikungunya virus infection.

Symptoms
Most people infected with chikungunya virus will develop some
symptoms. Symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after an infected
mosquito bites you.
•The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain.
Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling,
or rash.
•People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected
around the time of birth, older adults (≥65 years), and people with
medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart
disease.
•Most patients feel better within a week. However, joint pain can be
severe and disabling and may persist for months.
•Death from chikungunya is rare.

Zika virus: This is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes
mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and
conjunctivitis. In pregnant women, Zika virus infection can cause
birth defects such as microcephaly. Many people infected with
Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms.
Your doctor may order a blood or urine test to help determine if
you have Zika.
There is no specific medicine for Zika.

Zika symptoms

Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will
only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika are
 Fever
 Rash
 Headache
 Joint pain
 Red eyes
 Muscle pain
Symptoms can last for several days to a week. People usually don’t
get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of
Zika. Once a person has been infected with Zika, they are likely to
be protected from future infections.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne
disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly
spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of
WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer
and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or
medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people
infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are
infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150
infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

Symptoms
No symptoms in most people. Most people (8 out of 10)
infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms.
Febrile illness (fever) in some people. About 1 in 5 people
who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such
as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or
rash. Most people with febrile illness due to West Nile virus
recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for
weeks or months.

Severe illness can occur in people of any age; however, people
over 60 years of age are at greater risk for severe illness if they
are infected (1 in 50 people). People with certain medical
conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney
disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are
also at greater risk. Recovery from severe illness might take
several weeks or months. Some effects to the central nervous
system might be permanent.
About 1 out of 10 people who develop severe illness affecting
the central nervous system die.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under
CC BY-SA.

West Nile virus is most commonly spread to people by
the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on
infected birds. Infected mosquitoes then spread West
Nile virus to people and other animals by biting them.
In a very small number of cases, West Nile virus has
been spread through:
•Exposure in a laboratory setting
•Blood transfusion and organ transplant
•Mother to baby, during pregnancy, delivery, or breast
feeding

West Nile virus is not spread:
•Through coughing, sneezing, or touching
•By touching live animals
•From handling live or dead infected birds. Avoid bare-
handed contact when handling any dead animal. If you
are disposing of a dead bird, use gloves or double plastic
bags to place the carcass in a garbage can.
•Through eating infected animals, including birds. Always
follow instructions for fully cooking meat.

Symptoms
Most people infected with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)
virus do not develop symptoms. For those who develop
symptoms, the time from infected mosquito bite to onset of
illness (incubation period) ranges from 4 to 10 days.
EEE can result in febrile illness (fever) or neurologic disease,
including meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround
the brain and spinal cord) or encephalitis (infection of the brain).
The type of illness will depend on the age of the person and
other factors.

Febrile illness is characterized by fever, chills, body aches, and
joint pain. The illness lasts 1 to 2 weeks, and most people recover
completely when there is no central nervous system involvement.
Signs and symptoms of neurologic disease include fever,
headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes,
drowsiness, and coma. In infants, neurologic disease often occurs
soon after onset; in older children and adults, encephalitis may
occur after several days of systemic illness.

Approximately a third of all people with encephalitis
due to EEE die. Death usually occurs 2 to 10 days
after onset of symptoms but can occur much later.
Many people who recover are left with long-term
physical or mental impairments, which can range
from mild brain dysfunction to severe intellectual
impairment, personality disorders, seizures,
paralysis, and cranial nerve dysfunction.
People with severe impairments often require
long-term care and die within a few years.

St. Louis encephalitis: This is a viral disease transmitted by Culex
mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, and nausea, and in
severe cases, it can cause encephalitis. St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus
is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people
infected with SLE virus do not have symptoms. Those people who do
become ill may experience fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and
tiredness. Some people may develop neuroinvasive disease, such as
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the
membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). In rare cases, long-
term disability or death can occur. There are no vaccines to prevent or
medicines to treat SLE. You can reduce your risk of infection with SLE
virus by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long
pants, and taking steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

Symptoms
Most people infected with St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE)
virus do not have symptoms. For people with symptoms,
the time from infected mosquito bite to feeling sick
(incubation period) ranges from 4 to 14 days. The disease
is generally milder in children and young adults than in
older adults.

o Symptoms usually start abruptly, with fever, headache,
dizziness, nausea, and generalized weakness.
o They typically get worse over a period of several days to a
week.
o Some patients recover after this period.
o Others develop signs of central nervous system
infections, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or
the membranes around the brain and spinal cord
(meningitis).
o Symptoms can include stiff neck, confusion,
disorientation, dizziness, tremors, and unsteadiness.
o Coma can develop in severe cases.
 Among patients diagnosed with SLE, 5 to 20% die.
The risk of dying increases with age.

Transmission
St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus is spread to people through
the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected
when they feed on birds that have the virus in their blood.
Birds that live in urban-suburban areas, such as the house
sparrow, pigeon, blue jay, and robin, are common SLE virus
hosts. The principal vectors are Culex species mosquitoes,
including Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus in Eastern
states, Cx. nigripalpus in Florida, and Cx. tarsalis and members
of the Cx. pipiens complex in Western states.

People do not develop high enough levels of the virus in their
blood to infect mosquitoes. As a result, people are considered
“dead-end” hosts for SLE virus. However, the levels of SLE
virus in people’s blood is enough to spread the infection
through blood transfusions, though this very rarely occurs.

In nature, St. Louis encephalitis virus cycles between
mosquitioes (primarily Culex species) and birds. Some infected
birds can develop high levels of the virus in their bloodstream
and mosquitoes can become infected by biting these birds.
People become infected with the virus when mosquitoes feed on
infected birds and then bite people. People are considered dead-
end hosts because unlike birds, they do not develop high
enough levels of virus in their bloodstream and cannot pass the
virus on to other biting mosquitoes.

IMM uses methods to control mosquitoes based on an
understanding of mosquito biology, the mosquito life cycle, and
the way mosquitoes spread viruses. The methods used, when
followed correctly, are safe and have been scientifically proven to
reduce mosquito populations.
The basic components of IMM include surveillance, source
reduction, control of all mosquito life stages, insecticide
resistance testing, public education, community involvement, and
evaluation of actions taken.

Surveillance
Professionals monitor mosquitoes, pathogens, and host animals
like birds to understand what types and numbers of mosquitoes
are in an area and if they are infected with pathogens.
Surveillance activities can include:
•Finding and monitoring places where mosquitoes lay eggs. The
larvae that hatch from eggs are found in the same places.
•Tracking mosquito populations and the viruses they may be
spreading.
•Monitoring birds to gather data on bird mortality and exposure to
West Nile virus.
•Determining if Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered
insecticides will be effective.

As a mosquito expert you should conduct surveillance or
monitoring to understand what types and numbers of mosquitoes
are in an area. Use this information to identify nuisance and
germ-spreading mosquitoes in an area. Knowing where
mosquitoes live helps to:
• Set up traps for collecting mosquito eggs and adult
mosquitoes. Some traps collect female mosquitoes ready to lay
eggs, and other traps collect all adult mosquitoes in an area.

Sort and identify the mosquitoes to gain a better understanding of
local mosquito populations. Some mosquitoes are tested to see if
they are infected with germs.
•Use proper techniques for collecting mosquito larvae.
•Determine which mosquito control methods will be effective in an
area.
•Develop mosquito control plans.
An effective mosquito management program cannot be planned or
implemented unless surveys are made to determine which species
are present, their relative abundance, and the location of breeding
sites. Also, an understanding of the biology of the species involved is
essential so that control efforts are not only directed at the proper
habitat but also at the right time.

Surveys can be labor intensive but they allow personnel to
focus control efforts on the species that are causing a problem.
This avoids unnecessary intrusion into areas which do not need
to be treated, which saves time and money.​ Surveys for eggs
and egg-laying sites can be a useful predictor of mosquito
abundance. Mosquito egg surveys for floodwater mosquitoes
are often used to schedule an effective pre-hatch application of
insecticide.
Dipper for sampling
mosquito larvae

Larval surveys are the primary means of deciding whether control
measures should be applied to aquatic sites. A white dipper
equipped with a long handle is the collecting tool most often used.
Brown larvae can be easily seen on a white utensil. Some “stealth” is
required when dipping for mosquito larvae because they quickly
swim to deeper water when disturbed. The surveyor must also not
overlook obscure larval sites, such as cattle hoof prints in wet
pastures or on the edges of water holes and ponds. For examining
tree holes, artificial containers, and similarly inaccessible cavities. A
large-capacity rubber suction bulb and flexible extension tube can be
used to draw out the water into a white metal pan.

Light traps are relatively inexpensive and are easy to set up.
They are most useful in determining the presence or absence
of a particular mosquito species, and in demonstrating
population trends. However, light traps are not effective for
determining the absolute number of mosquitoes in an area.
Light traps collect only those mosquitoes that are active at
night and are attracted to lights. Therefore, light traps may not
necessarily collect all the mosquito species present in the
area. Another disadvantage of light traps is that they are not
selective.
They also collect moths, flies, beetles, and other insects
attracted to light. Despite these limitations, light traps are an
important surveillance tool.

AUTOCIDAL GRAVID OVITRAP (AGO)

BGSENTINELTRAP
Use
Mosquito species:
Ae.aegypti,Ae.albopictus,
andCulexspp.
• Lifestage:adult
Tips for use
• Use attractant (e.g., octenol lure,
human scent lure, carbon dioxide)
to attract more female mosquitoes

CDC LIGHT TRAP
Use
• Mosquito species:
wide range of
mosquito genera and
species
• Life stage: adult
Tips for use
• Hang to a tree (5ft.up)
• Using dry ice releases carbon dioxide
that attracts host-seeking female mosquitoes
• Most effective when set at dusk and
collected after dawn the next day

GRAVIDTRAP
Tips for use
• Infuse hay in water 5 days before
use(acts as an attractant)
• Drain water on days that trapping is
not taking place
Use
• Mosquito
species: Culexspp.
• Life stage:
gravid, adult
females

OVICUP
Use
Mosquito species:
Ae. aegypti,
Ae.albopictus
,Ae.japonicus,
And Ae.triseriatus
Tips for use
• Check at least every 3 days
• Dark colors (black)
Are attractive to females for egg laying

RESTINGTRAP
Use
• Mosquito
species: Anopheles,
Culex, and Culiseta spp.
• Life stage:
Adult females
Tips for use
• Set traps in cool, shaded areas
Collect mosquitoes in the early morning
Do not set in areas with high sun exposure
for extended periods of time
Left: Resting trap without
fan
Right: Resting trap with
battery-operated fan

Another technique used in adult mosquito surveillance
is the landing/biting count. This method uses humans or
animals as the attractant. They wait motionless at a
specific location. Mosquitoes are counted as they land
to feed and collected with a battery-powered aspirator.
This technique is very useful because only those
species that bite that particular host will be collected.
This technique requires that the host be bitten, and
therefore is not recommended when there is a high risk
of disease transmission.

Professionals around the United States report data to CDC’s
national surveillance system, ArboNET. This surveillance system
helps states and CDC track recent disease activity in an area,
types and numbers of mosquitoes, and other information
important to public health officials.
These activities help professionals determine if, when, and where
control activities are needed to manage mosquito populations
before people start getting sick. If professionals discover that local
mosquitoes are spreading viruses, they start implementing other
activities identified in their mosquito control plans.

Source Reduction
Eliminate as many oviposition sites as possible to reduce the
sources of mosquitoes. Reducing mosquito oviposition sites can
help minimize the use of insecticides.
Source reduction activities can include: (This can be a great
outreach community program for a mosquito control business.)
•Organizing community-wide cleanup drives to remove standing
water and dispose of any containers that can hold water.
•Modifying habitats, such as regrading drainage ditches, so water
drains quickly and does not accumulate as standing water.
•Managing water drainage systems like culverts, storm drains, or
roadside ditches.

Control of Mosquito Larvae and Pupae
Source reduction can eliminate many oviposition sites.
However, larvicides are used when oviposition sites
cannot be eliminated or modified to prevent producing
mosquitoes.
 Physical controls such as screens on rain barrels
 Mechanical controls such as such as using acoustic
energy to kill larvae
 Bacterial larvicides
 Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti)
 Lysinibacillus sphaericus
 Spinosad
 Insect growth regulators
 Oils and films

Control Larvae and Pupae
Once mosquito eggs hatch, they become larvae and then
pupae. Both larvae and pupae live in standing water.
Dumping or removing standing water in and around
the home or business is one way to control larvae. For
standing water that cannot be dumped or drained, a larvicide
can be used to kill larvae. Larvicides are products used to kill
mosquito larvae before they become biting adults.

Treat water-holding structures and containers in public places,
like storm drains or urns in cemeteries. They may also treat
standing water on private property as part of a neighborhood
cleanup campaign.
•Treat standing water that cannot be dumped or drained, like
rain barrels and pool covers, with larvicides.
•Controlling larvae and pupae before they become adults can
minimize the need for widespread use of insecticides that kill
adult mosquitoes.

Control of Adult Mosquitoes
Adult mosquitoes can be controlled with a variety
of adulticides. Mosquito control professionals
select the appropriate adulticide based
surveillance data. In addition, professionals test
for insecticide resistance to ensure that the
selected adulticide will kill mosquitoes in an area.
Commonly used adulticides include:
•Pyrethrins/Pyrethroids
•Organophosphates

When surveillance activities show that adult mosquito
populations are increasing or that they are spreading
viruses, as a professional you may decide to apply
adulticides to kill adult mosquitoes. Adulticides help reduce
the number of adult mosquitoes in an area and reduce the
risk that people will get sick.
•If mosquitoes are spreading viruses, professionals spray
adulticides by using backpack sprayers, trucks, or
airplanes.
•Do not apply more product than directed or reapply more
often than stated on the label.

Mosquitoes lay eggs on or near water because larvae need water to
survive. Professionals and the public can remove standing water to
reduce mosquito larvae before they become adult flying mosquitoes.
•Professionals at local government agencies and mosquito control
districts may collect and dispose of illegally dumped tires, clean up
and maintain public spaces like parks and greenways, and clean up
illegal dumps and roadside trash.
•You may recommend to your clients to start a community campaign
to remove standing water. Once a week, items that hold water like
tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flower pot saucers,
and trash containers should be emptied and scrubbed, turned over,
covered, or thrown away.

Habitats
Some mosquitoes like living near people, while
others prefer forests, marshes, or tall grasses. All
mosquitoes like water because mosquito larvae and
pupae live in the water with little or no flow.
Different types of water attract different types of
mosquitoes.

 Permanent water mosquitoes: These mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs
in permanent-to-semi-permanent bodies of water.
 Some mosquitoes prefer clean water, while others like nutrient-rich
waters.
 Some mosquitoes lay eggs near the edges of lakes and ponds, or
among plants in swamps and marshes, or in containers that hold water.
 Floodwater mosquitoes: These mosquitoes lay their eggs in moist soil
or in containers above the water line. The eggs dry out, then hatch
when rain floods the soil or container. Floodwater habitats include:
 Temporary pools and ponds created by melting snow or rain
 Floodplains along stream and river banks
 Irrigated fields and meadows
 Containers that hold water and fill up after a rain shower
 Tree holes that collect rainwater

CONTROL OPTIONS
What You Need to Know About Truck Spraying
Trucks fitted with special spray equipment can be used to treat
areas with larvicides or adulticides to kill mosquito larvae or adult
mosquitoes. This process is called truck spraying. Truck spraying
is used to:
•Control and reduce the number of mosquitoes that can spread
viruses. This can reduce your chances of getting sick.
•Control and reduce the number of nuisance mosquitoes that
bother people but do not spread viruses.

Treat entire neighborhoods in a short period of time compared to
some other methods.
Mosquito control districts or local government departments track
both nuisance mosquitoes and mosquitoes that can spread
viruses. Spraying larvicides and adulticides from a truck,
according to label instructions, is one way to kill mosquito larvae
or adult mosquitoes in an area. This is especially important when
people in the community are getting sick from mosquito bites.

What are mosquito control trucks spraying?
Mosquito control truck spraying insecticides into the air.
Adulticiding: Mosquito control trucks spray very small amounts of
insecticide into the air to kill flying mosquitoes. This spray is a fine mist that
acts as a fogger in the area.
Adulticiding: Spraying occurs when mosquitoes are most active. Generally,
local government agencies or mosquito control districts announce the
dates and times of spraying in the local newspaper, on district websites
and social media, through public service announcements, by telephone, or
through door-to-door notices.

Other Control Measures
1. Remove Mosquito Habitats
An important part of mosquito control around homes is making sure
that mosquitoes don't have a place to lay their eggs. Because
mosquitoes need water for two stages of their life cycle, it's important to
monitor standing water sources.
•Get rid of standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic
covers, toys or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
•Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools,
rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to eliminate
potential mosquito habitats.
•Drain temporary pools of water or fill with dirt.
•Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.

2. Use Structural Barriers
Because Aedes mosquitoes frequently bite indoors, using structural
barriers is an important way to reduce the incidence of bites.
Examples of structural barriers include:
•Install window and door screens if they are not already in place.
•Cover all gaps in walls, doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes
from entering.
•Make sure window and door screens are "bug tight."
•Completely cover baby carriers and beds with netting. Nets can be
especially important for protecting a sick person from getting more
mosquito bites, which could transmit the disease to other people.

3. Control Mosquitoes at the Larval Stage
The greatest impact on mosquito populations will occur when they are
concentrated, immobile and accessible. This emphasis focuses on
habitat management and controlling the immature stages (egg, larva,
and pupa) before the mosquitoes emerge as adults. This approach
maximizes the effectiveness of pesticide application and minimizes
the use from widespread pesticide application. Larvicides target larvae
in the breeding habitat before they can mature into adult mosquitoes
and disperse. Larvicide treatment of breeding habitats helps reduce
the adult mosquito population in nearby areas.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can use natural locations or habitats
(for example tree holes and crevices in plants) and artificial
containers with water to lay their eggs. They lay eggs during the
day in water containing organic material (e.g., decaying leaves,
algae, etc.) in containers with wide openings. They prefer dark-
colored containers located in the shade. Other sites where they
may lay their eggs include: old tires, buckets, toys, potted plant
trays and saucers, plastic covers and even places as small as
bottle caps.

Egg and larva interventions are generally the most effective,
least costly, way to control mosquitoes. However, these
interventions are unlikely to be 100% effective, especially for
mosquitoes like the Aedes aegypti that breed in varied and
scattered locations. In these cases, eliminating or treating all or
even most standing water can be nearly impossible. Successful
control efforts will need to supplement habitat removal with other
means of control.

Aedes aegypti have evolved so that they can reproduce in even
the most challenging environment.
There are a number of EPA-registered active ingredients used
in larvicides. Choosing which larvicide to use in a given area is
best done by experts and will depend on a variety of factors,
including potential human or environmental risk, cost,
resistance, and ease of use.

Controlling Mosquitoes at
the Larval Stage

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.
• Liquid larvicide products are applied directly to water
using backpack sprayers and truck or aircraft-
mounted sprayers. Tablet, pellet, granular, and briquet
formulations of larvicides are also applied by
mosquito controllers to breeding areas.
• While there are a number of registered active
ingredients used in larvicides, further down you will
find information on more commonly used larvicides.
EPA’s evaluation of mosquito control product includes
assuring that it does not pose risks to vulnerable
populations, including children and pregnant women
when used according to label directions.

Zika Virus
Bacterial Insecticides
Insects that are exposed to the Bacillus species have trouble
digesting food they eat after the exposure. They then die of
starvation.
Insect Growth Inhibitors
Prevent the larvae from maturing into adult mosquitoes.

Other Materials
Oils and films disperse as a thin layer on the surface of
the water and cause larvae and pupae to drown.
•Mineral Oils
•Monomolecular films

Control Adult Mosquitoes
Using an EPA-registered pesticide is one of the fastest and best
options to combat an outbreak of mosquito-borne disease being
transmitted by adult mosquitoes. The pesticides registered for this
use are known as adulticides. Adulticides are applied either using
aerial applications by aircraft or on the ground by truck-mounted
sprayers. Aerial spraying techniques can treat large areas with
only small amounts of pesticide and have been used safely for
more than 50 years. These aerial sprays are been fully evaluated
by EPA and don’t pose risks to people or the environment when
used according to the directions on the label.

Mosquito adulticides are applied as ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays.
ULV sprayers dispense extremely small droplets. The naled
insecticide, (Naled is an insecticide that has been registered since
1959 for use in the United States. It is used primarily for controlling
adult mosquitoes but is also used on food and feed crops and in
greenhouses. For mosquito control, naled is most commonly
applied aerially as an ultra-low volume (ULV) spray. ULV sprayers
mounted on planes or helicopters dispense very fine aerosol
droplets containing small quantities of insecticide that drift through
the air and kill mosquitoes on contact. (Cont.)

The spray is dilute (only 1-2 tablespoons of naled is applied per acre
sprayed) and the amount that ultimately floats to the ground is small
and dissipates quickly.for example,) uses 80 microns or less which
means hundreds of thousands of droplets could fit inside something
as small as one pea. When released from an airplane, these tiny
droplets are intended to stay airborne as long as possible and drift
through an area above the ground killing the mosquitoes in the air on
contact. The small droplet size makes the pesticide more effective,
which means less pesticide is used to better protect people and the
environment.

Extensive scientific research has been conducted by
academia, industry, and government agencies to
identify appropriate droplet sizes for individual
compounds. The equipment nozzles undergo
rigorous testing before being sold to the mosquito
controllers. ULV applications involve very small
quantities of pesticide active ingredient in relation to
the size of the area treated.
There are a number of registered adulticides to
choose from.

The mainland U.S. has successfully used naled to quickly reduce
mosquito populations.. This pesticide has been used for routine
mosquito control and following natural disasters such as hurricanes
and floods on millions of acres across the U.S. Naled was used
recently for mosquito control in FL, TX, LA, GA, SC, GA, WA, CA, NV,
and in a number of other states. The insecticide is used highly
populated metropolitan areas, such as Miami, and in less populated
areas.

In 2004, naled was used extensively to treat eight million
acres across Florida as part of the emergency responses to
hurricanes. In 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, five million acres
of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas were treated with naled
to kill mosquitoes.
Naled is effective at controlling Zika, dengue and
chikungunya.

Pesticides That Can Be Used To Control Adult Mosquitoes
Organophosphates
•Malathion for Mosquito Control
Malathion is part of an integrated overall strategy to control
mosquitoes. In particular, malathion is an adulticide, used to kill adult
mosquitoes. Most malathion mosquito adulticide applications (about
90%) are made by ground application (fogging equipment mounted
on trucks). However, in situations of heavy mosquito presence across
large geographic areas, aerial application is an important method of
application. Less than 1% of spraying for mosquitoes is malathion
aerial spray.

Naled for Mosquito Control
Naled is an insecticide that has been registered since 1959 for
use in the United States. It is used primarily for controlling adult
mosquitoes but is also used on food and feed crops and in
greenhouses. For mosquito control, naled is most commonly
applied aerially as an ultra-low volume (ULV) spray. ULV sprayers
mounted on planes or helicopters dispense very fine aerosol
droplets containing small quantities of insecticide that drift through
the air and kill mosquitoes on contact. The spray is dilute (only 1-2
tablespoons of naled is applied per acre sprayed) and the amount
that ultimately floats to the ground is small and dissipates quickly.

Synthetic Pyrethroids
•Permethrin, Resmethrin, Sumithrin for Mosquito Control
•Prallethrin
•Etofenprox
Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical insecticides that act in a
similar manner to pyrethrins, which are derived from
chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethroids are widely used for
controlling various insects. Permethrin, resmethrin, and d-
phenothrin (Sumithrin®) are synthetic pyrethroids commonly
used in mosquito control programs to kill adult mosquitoes.

Permethrin has been registered by the EPA since 1979. It is
currently registered and sold in a number of products such as
residential indoor and outdoor insect foggers and sprays,
treated clothing, flea products for dogs, termite treatments,
agricultural and livestock products, and mosquito abatement
products. It is also regulated by the Food and Drug
Administration as a treatment of head lice and scabies.
Permethrin is the most widely used mosquito adulticide in the
U.S. and is used to treat 9 to 10 million acres annually (out of
32-39 million acres treated with a mosquito adulticide).

Permethrin’s widespread use can be
attributed to its low cost, high
effectiveness, low incidence of pest
resistance, and broad labeling.
Resmethrin has been registered by
the EPA since 1967. It is currently
registered for use only in public
health and vector control programs
to control adult mosquitos, biting and
non-biting midges and blackflies.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-ND.

D-phenothrin (Sumithrin®) has been registered by the EPA
since 1976 for use to control adult mosquitos and other
nuisance insects indoors and outdoors in residential yards and
public recreational areas. Use sites include in and around
residential/domestic dwellings, commercial and industrial
buildings, transportation vehicles, recreation areas, animal
quarters, direct animal treatment (dogs). While there are no
direct applications to food crops, d-phenothrin labels allow for
applications to control mosquitoes over agricultural as well as
non-agricultural areas.

Mosquito control professionals apply pyrethroids as an ultra
low volume (ULV) spray. ULV sprayers dispense very fine
aerosol droplets that stay aloft and kill adult mosquitoes on
contact. Pyrethroids used in mosquito control are typically
mixed with a synergist compound, such as piperonyl
butoxide, which enhances the effectiveness of the active
ingredient. The product is often diluted in water or oil and
applied at rates less than 1/100th of a pound of active
ingredient or less than 4 fluid ounces of mixed formulation
per acre.

What are outdoor residential misting systems?
Outdoor residential misting systems (sometimes called "mosquito
misters") are application systems designed to spray pesticides in a
fine mist to kill mosquitoes and other insects outdoors. Misting
systems include spray nozzles that are mounted around the
perimeter of a home in the lawn or landscaping, or on parts of the
house or fence. The spray nozzles are connected by tubing to a
supply of insecticide. Some misting systems may be turned on at
preset intervals using a timer. Others may be turned on using a
remote controller, while others may be activated using a switch.

What pesticides are used in the misting systems?
The insecticide products most often used in outdoor residential misting
systems contain pyrethrins and permethrin. These products may also
contain piperonyl butoxide. To be sure what type of insecticide you are
using, check the list of active ingredients on the container label.
Certain minimum risk pesticides may also be used in some misting
systems. Because EPA has determined that certain "minimum risk
pesticides" pose little to no risk to human health or the environment, EPA
has exempted them from the requirement that they be registered under
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

Pesticides are used to control various pests, such as
mosquitoes, ticks, rats and mice. Pesticides are also used in
agriculture to control weeds, insect infestation and diseases.​
It is illegal to use a pesticide in a misting system if the pesticide
label contains a prohibition against use in these systems.

Outdoor residential misting systems have not yet been studied
sufficiently to document their effectiveness in controlling
mosquitoes or other yard and garden pests, nor have they been
scientifically proven to control or prevent the spread of West Nile
Virus or other diseases.
While pest management begins with you, effective mosquito
control is often community-based.

Contact your local health department or
mosquito abatement district to report severe
annoyance or potential mosquito sources.
For pests other than mosquitoes, a combination
of pest management practices tailored for the
specific pest may offer the best results.

Are residential misting systems safe?
People and pets may be exposed to pesticides used in a
residential misting system through direct contact with
sprays, by touching plants or other objects in the treated
area, or by inhaling small amounts of pesticide remaining in
the air. EPA has assessed the human health and
environmental risks of the pesticides most commonly used
in misting systems. Most of these pesticides last only short
periods in the environment, so long-term exposure to
humans is not expected.

Based on its assessment, using toxicity data and exposure
estimates, EPA does not expect risks of concern to humans
when these chemicals are used in outdoor residential systems
according to labeling specific for use in these systems.
However, excessive use or accidents may pose risks. No
pesticide should be regarded as 100% risk free.
Since pyrethrins and permethrin are toxic to all insects, they
may kill beneficial insects such as honeybees, ladybugs,
butterflies and other non-target species. In addition,
permethrin is very highly toxic to fish.

Are misting systems regulated by EPA or the states?
Regulations for these systems may vary from state to state.
Some states may forbid the use of certain pesticides, or any
pesticides at all in these systems in residential areas, others
may require that signs be posted, while others may not
regulate their use at all. For the most updated and accurate
regulations in your state, consider consulting your state
pesticide regulatory agency for details before you purchase.

Some Common
Mosquito Species Larval Habitat Biting Time Flight Range
Aedes albopictus
artificial
containers &
tree holes
Day
100 - 300
yards
Culex quinquefasciatus
ground pools,
catch basins,
artificial
containers
Crepuscular,
Night 1/4 - 1/2 mile
Aedes vexans
Flooded grassy
and wooded
areas
Day,
Crepuscular,
Night 5 - 8 miles
Coquillettidia
perturbans
Cattail marshes
Crepuscular,
Night
1 - 5 miles
8

SUMMARY : In this course you have covered
Aedes aegypti: This species is also known as the yellow fever mosquito
Aedes albopictus: This species is also known as the Asian tiger mosquito
Anopheles quadrimaculatus: A vector for malaria
Culex pipiens: vector for West Nile virus
Culex tarsalis: a vector for West Nile
Celesta inornata: vector for several types of encephalitis

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose
of providing specific information.
American Pest CEUS does not guarantee or warranty the products
named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our
approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.
All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the
manufacturer's label. Use pesticides safely.
Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.
Photos courtesy of photographers published on Bugwood.org ITP Node
Pest and Disease Image Library, Bugwood.org
Joseph Barger, Bugwood.org
Photos courtesy of photographers published on Bugwood.org ITP Node
Photos courtesy of photographers published on Bugwood.org ITP Node
Photos courtesy of photographers published on Bugwood.org ITP Node
Photos courtesy of photographers published on Bugwood.org ITP Node
Photos courtesy of photographers published on Bugwood.org ITP Node
Pest and Diseases Image Library, Bugwood.org

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