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Mosquito Biology& Management Around

the Home

Todd Murray, IPM Program

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The Basics…

• Diptera: Flies– Culicidae: Mosquitoes

• 3,000 species + worldwide• 50 species in the PNW• 9 species vectors of WNV in WA

• Aquatic insects– Two Groups

• Floodwater• Permanent water

• Important pests of humans

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Life Cycle

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Habitats

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Habitats

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Habitats

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Mosquito Genre in Washington

• AedesA. vexans*A. cinereus*

• AnophelesA. punctipennis*

• CulisetaC. inornata*

• CulexC. pipiens*C. tarsalis*

• OchlerotatusO. japonicus*O. canadensis*

• CoquillettidiaC. perturbans*

*Known WNV Vectors

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Eggs

• Laid singly– On water

• Anopheles• Coquillrttidia

– On land• Aedes & Ochlerotatus

• Egg rafts– Culex spp.

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Larvae (Wigglers)

• Hatch to larvae in 48 hrs

• 4 instars• Breath

oxygen• Filter feeders• 7-14 days

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Pupae (Tumblers)

• Non-feeding stage

• 1-4 days

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Emergers

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Adults

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Adults

• 1-2 months• Females feed

on blood• Mating usually

occurs at breeding site.

• Nectar feeders• ½ - 2 mile

range

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WNV in Washington

Don’t PanicDon’t Ignore

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WNV Response Plan

• Coordinated plan with county offices:– Questions on Human Health:

• Local County Health Department

– Questions about specific water bodies:• County/City Public Works

– Questions about mosquito management:• County Cooperative Extension

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Mosquito Control

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Mosquito Management

• Best achieved as an area wide/regional effort.– Mosquito abatement & vector

control districts:• Citizen/ taxpayer• Political process• Single mission

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Message to Homeowners

• Report mosquito problems to your local government

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Message to Homeowners

• Insecticides are generally ineffective for mosquito management around the home– Adulticides– Larvicides

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Cultural Management

• Bite Prevention • Source Reduction

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Bite Prevention

• Barriers– Limit outdoor activities– Keep windows and

doorways tightly sealed– Wear protective clothing – Mosquito netting can also

be used to protect one’s face and neck or used on infant carriages, strollers and playpens

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Bite Prevention

• Repellents: The same respect and caution should be used when using repellents as with other insecticides.– Choose a repellent that best fits your outdoor activity. – Apply repellents to areas that are exposed.– Do not apply repellents to open wounds, eyes or

mouth. – People with sensitive skin should avoid using

repellents– Test a small area of skin – Wash off repellents after going indoors

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DEET

• 10-40% DEET are sufficient for repelling mosquitoes on adults

• Products containing 23% DEET offer over five hours of protection

• Increased concentrations over 50% do not offer significantly longer protection

• 10% or less of DEET are suitable for use on children

• Repellents should not be used on infants

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Citronella Repellents

• Citronella – Topically or volatilized in candles– Topically applied citronella is short

lasting– Candles can offer some reduction of

mosquito bites

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Repellents

• Permethrin (both insecticide and repellent) – Used on clothing and other fabrics– Should not be applied directly to skin– Read the label and follow directions

• Bath oils, such as Avon Skin-So-Soft:– EPA registered– Works for less than 30 minutes

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Mosquito Repelling Plants

• Mosquito-repelling plants, such as the citrosa plants, do not significantly reduce mosquito numbers or mosquito bites

• Plant-derived repellents, such as soybean oil– Not long lasting as products containing DEET– 2% soybean oil last for over one hour, on average

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Electronic Repellents

• High frequency sounds do not repel mosquitoes, or other pests

• Electronic bug zappers do not control mosquitoes or other flying pests

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Mosquito Traps

• Newly developed carbon dioxide baited traps do attract and trap many adult mosquitoes– Expensive– Practical benefits unknown

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Habitat Reduction

• Eliminate water-trapping containers

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Regularly drain water-trapping containers:

• Change birdbath water every week (more frequently during summer)

• Drill drainage holes in planters, boxes and tires left or used outdoors

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Regularly drain water-trapping containers:

• Regularly drain pet dishes and plant pot saucers

• Empty uncovered rain barrels every week (more frequently during summer)

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Regularly drain water-trapping containers:

• Regularly clean and repair gutters to prevent them from retaining water.

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Regularly drain water-trapping containers:

• Regularly check and drain plastic covers and tarps

• Store water-trapping containers upside down or inside shelters.

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Fill in or landscape water-trapping areas of your yard:

• Fill in tree holes• Check and repair leaky

irrigation systems, pipes and faucets

• Do not over-water your lawn and garden

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Fill in or landscape water-trapping areas of your yard:

• Fill or drain seepage ponds and puddles

• Grade or fill low areas

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Manage habitats in and around water bodies:

• Such as: ornamental and retention ponds, ditches and catch basins

• Manage weeds• Remove unnecessary floating

structures or debris• Keep drains, ditches and

culverts clean to allow proper drainage

• Shape pond edges to a shelf or steep slope. Mosquitoes prefer shallow pond edges

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Biological Control

• Predators of adult mosquitoes

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Biological Control

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Biological Control

• Conserve beneficial organisms in permanent water bodies– Reduce habitat disturbance

• Stock predatory fish in closed, managed water bodies such as ornamental ponds– Contact WS Fish & Wildlife for permits

and recommendations

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Homeowner Larvicides

• Rarely recommended for home use

• For use only in contained water bodies

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Mosquito Management Fact Sheets