A Day in the Life of a Mosquito in Lexington, KY

Debatably one of the biggest nuisances of the summer months, a mosquito’s buzzing and biting is known by everyone. While these pests may seem harmless, aside from the itching, many people are unaware of the potential for spreading disease that mosquitos have. Let IPM Pest & Termite of Lexington, Kentucky, teach you about the mosquito’s habits and life, and to help you better avoid and treat an infestation.

A mosquito’s lifecycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Female mosquitoes lay bunches of eggs ranging anywhere between 100 and 300 eggs, roughly every three days. Mosquitos lay their eggs around water because the clusters of eggs function as rafts and allow for the eggs to float. When the eggs hatch, the larva swims through the water, shed their skin, and then develop into pupae. The pupae avoid predators by sinking to the deepest area of water so they can develop and emerge as a fully matured adult. Once emerged, the mosquitoes must dry out their bodies and can then take flight and find mates. Male mosquitos only live between three and five days but female mosquitos can live up to two months, laying thousands of eggs in their short lives.

Mosquitos are small flies that feed from tube-like mouths that pierce a host’s skin so they can consume blood. While mosquito bites are not painful and the blood that they consume is very minimal, mosquito saliva causes a rash that can itch. Though the actual bite and rash will not harm you, mosquitos have the potential to carry diseases in their saliva that can be transmitted from host to host. Because of this disease transferability mosquitos are one of the deadliest animals in the world. In addition, after every meal of blood, female mosquitos, the only mosquitos that bite, supply food for their eggs and then lay their eggs.

If you have noticed an increase in buzzing mosquitos or noticed the floating rafts of eggs in potted plants or water in your home, you may have an infestation. Mosquito treatment can be handled by yourself with control products to poison the eggs and stop their maturation, and you can use products to eliminate the mosquitos that have already matured. The most efficient way to remove mosquitos is source reduction. Remove standing water from your home until the infestation has been treated. If source reduction doesn’t do the job or your infestation comes back, it may be time to call a professional to keep your home safe and pest free. At IPM Pest & Termite, proudly serving Lexington, Kentucky, we are here to help you with all your pest control issues. As a member of Angie’s List, a recipient of an A+ from the BBB, and over 20 years of pest control experience, IPM Pest & Termite will meet all your needs. Contact us today with any concerns you have about mosquitos in your home.