Mosquito Identification

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One of the biggest nuisances that can ruin any outdoor activity is the mosquito. Their bites will leave you with red, itchy bumps that can drive you crazy. There are a few insects that are commonly mistaken for mosquitoes but are fairly harmless and will not bite humans. If you are unsure if you have mosquitoes in your yard or another common pest, an experienced exterminator, like those at Rocket Pest, will be happy to help you identify and then get rid of whatever pest you have invading your outdoor areas.

What Do Mosquitoes Look Like?

Mosquitoes are known for their long, slender legs, small heads with large eyes, and two wings with scales. Their bodies will be brown to gray in color with white stripes. They range from ¼ or ½ of an inch in size and have a long beak-like structure, called a proboscis, that they use to pierce the skin of humans and animals and suck blood. The two species of mosquitoes that you will commonly see are the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito. Both of these mosquitoes will look extremely similar in appearance to the untrained eye.

Mosquito Life Cycle

Did you know only female mosquitoes bite? While both males and females like feeding on nectar from plants, a female needs blood to create her eggs. Besides only females biting humans and animals, there are a few other key differences between female and male mosquitoes. Males will be smaller, have bushier antennae and their proboscis is less pointy since they do not need to puncture the skin.

There are four cycles to the mosquito life cycle. It begins with the female laying around 100 eggs in stagnant water. After a few days, the eggs will hatch into larvae which will live and feed in the water for five or more days and then transform into a pupa. After 2 to 3 days, an adult mosquito will emerge.

Keeping Mosquitoes Away

Mosquitoes are one of the most common pests you will deal with around your home. They are not just simply a nuisance, their bites will leave you with an itchy, red bump, and are vectors for multiple diseases. Keeping mosquitoes away from your outdoor areas and ensuring your yard is an enjoyable place to be is Rocket Pest’s number one priority. Our skilled technicians will be able to locate areas where mosquitoes like to live and lay eggs to create a plan to keep your yard mosquito free! Call us today at 864-232-2406 for a free quote and expert advice!