The Hidden Water Sources Fueling Your Mosquito Problem

A Closer Look with Heather Patterson

It’s a question we’ve all asked while trying to relax and enjoy the outdoors: Where are all these mosquitoes coming from? If you're constantly slapping and swatting while trying to unwind in your backyard, it's time to take a closer look at your surroundings.

Mosquitoes don’t just appear out of nowhere—they’re lingering around and emerging from the various breeding sites and water sources nearby. All mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle, but the type of water they prefer can vary considerably between species. Whether it's clean or murky, permanent or ephemeral, different mosquitoes are drawn to different aquatic environments.

Water that collects in ditches, tree holes, artificial containers, or stagnant ponds can attract and support different types of mosquitoes. By learning about the distinct types of breeding sites and the mosquito species associated with them, pest professionals can better assess and manage mosquito populations.

We can group mosquitoes based on three general breeding environments: container-breeding mosquitoes, stagnant water mosquitoes, and floodwater mosquitoes. Here's a closer look at each:

• Common species: Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito), Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger Mosquito)
• Breeding habits: These mosquitoes lay their eggs individually just above the waterline inside artificial containers—plant saucers, birdbaths, flower pots, clogged gutters, tarps, and discarded tires are common examples. After rainfall, water levels rise and submerge the eggs, triggering them to hatch.

• Common species: Culex pipiens (Northern House Mosquito), Culex quinquefasciatus (Southern House Mosquito), Culex tarsalis (Western Encephalitis Mosquito)
• Breeding habits: Culex mosquitoes prefer standing water rich in organic matter. Common sites include neglected swimming pools or ornamental ponds. They lay their eggs in “rafts” that float on the water's surface.

• Common species: Aedes vexans (Inland Floodwater Mosquito)
• Breeding habits: Floodwater mosquitoes lay their eggs in the soil around the edges of puddles or flood-prone areas like fields, pastures, or roadside ditches. These eggs are highly resilient, capable of surviving long dry periods until the rains come.

Having knowledge about these breeding environments not only helps you identify where mosquitoes are coming from but also empowers you to take targeted action. So next time you're outside and the mosquitoes start swarming, don’t just reach for the repellent, take a look around. That clogged gutter, potted plant, or low-lying area in the lawn might be hosting the next generation of biters.