Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are a nuisance, biting pest.  Of greater concern, they transmit numerous diseases such as West Nile virus, dengue, and encephalitis.

Quick Facts

• There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes. 50 of them are found in Minnesota 
• Mosquitoes have four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, adult
• Adult female mosquitoes feed (sting) humans and animals and also feed on nectar from plants
• Female mosquitoes require 2 or more days to digest a blood meal and lay a batch of eggs, before seeking another blood meal
• The female mosquito may live 1-2 months
• Adult male mosquitoes do not feed on blood. They only feed on nectar from plants
• Male mosquitoes live 6-7 days
• Average flight for mosquitoes is 5-10 miles

Habits

• Mosquitoes have adapted to almost every kind of aquatic situation
• Most species of mosquitoes bite at dawn, dusk (crepuscular) and at night.
• Some mosquitoes are active during the day.
• The female mosquitoes make a high-pitched buzzing sound.
• The female mosquito pierces the skin with a serrated proboscis (the stinger) containing two tubes. Through one , it injects saliva that numbs the area and keeps blood from clotting. From the other tube it begins to suck blood into its abdomen. It is the saliva that causes the bite to itch.
• Under the right conditions, mosquito eggs can survive for several years before emerging

Control

A mist treatment around the perimeter of your property will immediately knockdown mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other insects. This can be done up to 48 hours before your outdoor event and is highly effective. The application will control mosquitoes that come in contact with the product for up to three weeks.

• For the best mosquito control for your outdoor party, the application of our mist treatment should be done 24-48 hours before the event. This will reduce the mosquito population by 80-85%. 

A broadcast granular treatment to your property will control crawling insects up to 60 days. This is activated by rain or watering the treated areas.

• The granular application is a time release product with a reduction rate of 80-85% in ticks, fleas and other ground crawling insects within the treated area.  
  

 

Return to Fact Sheets