Frequently Asked Questions about Mosquitoes

Written by: Dr. Allen Landes

• How many different kinds of mosquitoes are there?
• There are about 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world, 150 of which can be found in the United States.
• How far/fast do mosquitoes travel?
• Mosquitoes can fly an estimated one to one and a half miles per hour. Some species remain close to their breeding site, while others will fly up to 10 miles or more in search of food.
• Do all mosquitoes bite?
• Only female mosquitoes bite. They need the protein that animal and human blood provide to produce their eggs. A female mosquito will often consume more than her own weight in blood. Male mosquitoes feed only on nectar from plants.
• Can mosquitoes bite more than once, or do they die shortly after biting?
• Female mosquitoes are capable of biting more than once. After she takes a blood meal she completes the development of her eggs and may deposit up to 250 eggs at once in water. She is then able to seek another blood meal.
• Do mosquitoes die in cold weather?
• Mosquitoes, like all insects, are cold-blooded creatures. As a result their body temperatures are the same as their surroundings. In temperate climates, adult mosquitoes become inactive with the onset of cool weather and enter hibernation to live through the winter. In spring, the females emerge from hibernation, find a blood meal and lay their eggs.
• How long do mosquitoes live?
• The average life span of the female mosquito is three to 100 days; the male mosquito will survive 10 to 20 days.
• Are mosquitoes able to fly as soon as they hatch?
• All mosquitoes go through a four-stage life cycle: egg, larvae, pupa and adult. They cannot fly until they've reached the adult stage, which can take 10-20 days, depending on the species.

• Mosquito Control Tips
• Keep horses stabled during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
• Turn off lights that attract mosquitoes at night
• Use mosquito repellent
• Use fluorescent lights, which do not attract mosquitoes
• Keep screens in stable windows
• Eliminate common mosquito breeding areas like shallow stagnant water and puddles