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Mosquito control
Learn how Rentokil can help prevent and eliminate mosquitoes from your property.
There are many types of mosquitoes, and over 200 of them can be found in the United States. Not only are their bites irritating, but these bites can also carry dangerous diseases that pose a serious threat to your customers and employees.
Read more about the common types of mosquitoes found in the U.S. below.
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Anopheles mosquito
(Anopheles quadrimaculatus)
The Anopheles mosquito is a key vector for malaria transmission, a life-threatening disease. This mosquito is primarily active at night and is often found in warm, humid environments where stagnant water serves as a breeding ground.
Appearance
- Adults: pale with dark marks on the wings
- Eggs: About 1mm long with floats on the sides
Lifecycle
- Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days
- Complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa and adult
Habits
- Larvae rest parallel to the surface of the water
- Prefer clean and unpolluted water
- Bite at night and rest during the day
- Prefer darker colors
- Females can lay 50 – 150 eggs from one blood meal
U.S. locations
- Southeastern United States
- Florida
- Texas
- Louisiana
Diseases
- Malaria
- Encephalitis
- Lymphatic filariasis
Food source
- Humans
- Mammals
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Aedes mosquitoes
(Aedes aegypti, Aedes vexans, Aedes sollicitans and Aedes albopictus)
The Yellow fever mosquito, Asian tiger mosquito, floodwater mosquito, and saltmarsh mosquito all belong to the Aedes genus. Of this mosquito species, the Asian tiger mosquito is the most aggressive. The bites from an Aedes mosquito peak at the change of light intensity (after sunrise and before sunset).
Appearance
- Adults: black and white markings
- Eggs: black in color and shaped like a football
Lifecycle
- Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 8 days
- Complete metamorphosis: egg, larval, pupa and adult
Habits
- Larvae rest 45 degrees from the surface of the water
- Container breeder — especially man-made containers with clean water
- Prefer darker colors like black and red
- Can fly short distances (50 – 100m)
U.S. locations
- Southern and Eastern United States
- Florida
- Texas
- California
Diseases
- Dengue fever
- Zika virus
- Chikungunya
- Yellow fever
Food source
- Humans
- Mammals
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Culex mosquitoes
(Culex tritaeniorhynchus)
The Northern house mosquito, Southern house mosquito, and Encephalitis mosquito all belong to the Culex genus. Culex mosquitoes are the main vector for Encephalitis.
Appearance
- Adults: dull in color and covered with brown scales
- Eggs: brown, long and cylindrical, cemented in a raft of 300 eggs and positioned vertically on water surface
Lifecycle
- Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days
- Complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa and adult
Habits
- Larvae rest 45 degrees from the surface of the water
- Mainly breed in polluted stagnant water and drains
- Bite at night and usually rest indoors before and after the blood meal
- Prefer darker colors
- Long distance fliers
U.S. locations
- Nationwide
Diseases
- West Nile virus
- St. Louis encephalitis
- Western Equine encephalitis
Food source
- Humans
- Mammals
How to treat for different mosquito species
Each mosquito species has unique behaviors, life cycles, and breeding habitats that can influence treatment and prevention strategies. For commercial properties and businesses, tailored approaches are essential to ensure effective treatment. This can include regular inspections, elimination of breeding sites, and professional treatment.
The experts at Rentokil are industry leaders in commercial mosquito control. Contact us today and let our professionals get rid of mosquitoes on your property!
Mosquito bites
Mosquito bites are not only a nuisance — they can be potentially dangerous. Learn how to tell if you have been bitten by a mosquito.