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Sebastian County Home & Garden
Outdoor Pests
Mosquito Facts
Mosquito Biology •
Mosquitoes and Disease • Mosquito
Control •
Personal Protection •
Additional Information
Mosquitoes are a problem to humans because they are annoying, can cause loss
of productivity in livestock and they may carry disease. Here are some facts
about mosquitoes.
Mosquito Biology
Mosquitoes are insects that are in the same order as houseflies and all true
flies. There are four stages of growth in the mosquito life Cycle - egg, larva,
pupa, and adult. The eggs of some types of mosquitoes are laid on water and
hatch in one or two days. Eggs of other types of mosquitoes are laid in places
that are dry but will fill with water. These eggs may survive years before
hatching. Larvae hatch from the eggs and live, feed, and grow in the water.
Fully grown larvae change into the pupae. During the pupal stage, feeding stops
and changes occur that lead to the adult stage. Adults emerge from the pupae,
leave the water and take to the air. The cycle from egg to adult mosquito may
take as little as a week. Soon after becoming adults, male and female mosquitoes
mate. Only the female mosquito takes a blood meal - this is required to produce
her eggs. Each type of mosquito may prefer blood from a different kind of animal
- birds, frogs, deer, humans. There are more than 55 types of mosquitoes in
Arkansas. Many of these are not a problem because they do not attack humans.
Adult mosquitoes may live about 2 -3 weeks, or they can over winter. A female
may lay up to 12 batches (each batch consisting of hundreds of eggs)
Mosquitoes and Disease
Mosquitoes are carriers (or vectors) of many diseases around the world.
Malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and viral encephalitis are some of the most
common. Malaria and yellow fever was once found throughout the southern United
States but have been stopped in this country as a result of mosquito control,
medical treatment, and improved living conditions. Heartworm in dogs is a common
disease in Arkansas that is carried by mosquitoes. The U.S. still has cases of
mosquito-borne encephalitis. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain.
Eastern Equine and St Louis encephalitis are the main mosquito-born encephalitic
virus that periodically plague Arkansans. Fortunately, not all persons that are
bitten by an infected mosquito become sick. Only a small percentage shows signs
of illness. For those that do show signs of encephalitis the symptoms may
include: headache, high fever, rash, nausea, muscle and joint aches, stiff neck,
and mental confusion.
Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes breed in all kinds of water, from small containers such as tree
holes and tin cans to large bodies of water like lakes or marshes. All these
breeding places create a variety of mosquito problems. Mosquitoes can be
controlled either as adults or larvae. Controlling mosquitoes after they have
become adults requires the spraying of insecticides which has to actually come
in contact with the mosquito. This requires spraying repeatedly over large
areas. Wherever possible, it is best to use larval mosquito control. This
prevents adult mosquito problems before they get started. There are many ways to
perform larval control. They may include: eliminating breeding sites, or using
biological controls such as bacteria that kill the mosquito larvae or
introducing predators such as fish. Many times, the mosquitoes that are a
problem to homeowners result from breeding sites in their own backyards!
Water-holding containers such as tree holes, tires, tin cans, uncovered boats,
leaf-clogged rain gutters, and planters may breed mosquitoes. Emptying the water
from these places can be a quick and effective way to control mosquito problems
around the house.
Personal Protection
- Make sure all windows and doors have screens, which are in good repair
- Stay indoors when mosquitoes are more active
- Wear protective clothing outdoors when mosquitoes are more active
- Use mosquito repellent, (containing 20 to 30% DEET) when it is necessary to
be outdoors
Use the following precautions when using repellents containing DEET:
- Store out of the reach of children and read all instructions on the
label before applying.
- DO NOT allow young children to apply DEET themselves.
- DO NOT apply DEET directly to children. Apply to your own hands and
then put it on the child avoiding the child’s face and hands.
- Avoid prolonged and excessive use of DEET
- DO NOT apply repellents in enclosed areas.
- DO NOT apply directly on your face.
- Wash all treated skin and clothing after returning indoors.
- If you believe you or a child is having an adverse reaction to a
repellent containing DEET, wash the treated area immediately and call
your health care provider or local poison control center.
Need More Information?
Contact your Local Health Department or the Division of
Epidemiology at the
Arkansas Department of Health (501) 661- 2184 or 800- 554-5738, Ext.
2184
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Their Diseases
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