Mosquitoes, which belong to the family Culicidae, are insects found worldwide. There are more than 3,000 species. With long, thin bodies, two wings, six legs, and two long antennae, they also possess a proboscis for sucking up blood from animals and humans to obtain food. The most common mosquito species is Aedes aegypti, known as the Yellow Fever Mosquito because it can spread diseases like Dengue Fever and Zika Virus. These mosquitoes bite during the day and prefer warmer climates, making them especially dangerous in tropical areas. Other species of mosquitoes can spread malaria-causing parasites, such as Plasmodium, and viral diseases, such as West Nile Virus.
Mosquitoes can be dangerous, as they transmit deadly diseases to humans and animals. Some of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis. These diseases can have serious health consequences that range from death to long-term disability or organ damage. Mosquitoes also spread parasites, such as filarial worms, which can cause conditions like elephantiasis and river blindness. In addition to these direct impacts on human health, mosquitoes can create an economic burden due to the lost productivity of individuals affected by their bites.
Mosquito infestations occur when female mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, commonly found in puddles, ditches, buckets, and even small containers around the home. The eggs hatch into larvae and eventually become adult mosquitoes that look for food and shelter. If these conditions are present near your home or business, you could be at risk of a mosquito infestation. Warmer temperatures and high humidity levels also increase these chances, providing ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
Mosquito infestations can be found in a variety of locations, both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, you may find mosquito infestations in areas with standing water, such as ponds, marshes, and swamps, as they are the ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Additionally, mosquitoes may even breed in small puddles of water that form on the ground after heavy rain. You may find mosquito infestations around windows and doors, where they can easily enter through cracks or open spaces. Other potential indoor breeding sites are near clogged drains, under sinks, or other sources of moisture.
