Information Health @ Home Mosquitoes & West Nile Mosquito Assessments

Breeding Sites

According to mosquito control specialists, mosquitoes need stagnant, shaded water for their eggs to develop into mature stinging pests. (more on a mosquito's lifecycle) Eliminating stagnant water is a critical part of mosquito control.

The term "stagnant" means "not moving," not necessarily polluted. Sometimes a resident cannot get rid of stagnant water such as water pooling in a drainage ditch. In such cases the Board of Health may apply a larvicide, which is completely safe to humans, to prevent mosquito eggs from maturing into flying mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are especially prevalent in the summer months because the larvae grow best in warm, damp places -- like kiddie pools. During the summer the eggs can mature to flying adults in about five days. As many as 30 eggs can be laid every two days. Mud, wet leaves and pine straw, and tall grass are not breeding sites. Standing water must be present for eggs to develop. Eggs can lay dormant for a year, just waiting for water.

Many times, the sources of mosquitoes are man-made. The Board of Health urges residents to empty containers and clean birdbaths at least twice a week. A pet's water container is another excellent breeding site, and we recommend changing the water twice weekly.

Mosquitoes do not breed in vegetation like English ivy. However, mosquitoes do like to linger in shaded vegetation because it is cool and they get their nourishment from eating the plants.