Mosquito Facts

  • All mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle. It usually takes about 10-14 days for mosquitoes to complete their life cycle in the Wahpeton, ND area.
  • Mosquitoes do not develop in grass or shrubbery. These areas are simply resting and shelter areas. Although floodwater mosquitoes may lay their eggs in grassy areas, they will not hatch out of the egg until they are joined with water. Mosquitoes generally take cover in shaded areas during hot sunny days to avoid the heat.
  • Mosquitoes can fly considerable distance; some species remain close to their larval habitat, while other will fly 10 – 20 miles or more in search of food.
  • Only female mosquitoes bite. Female mosquitoes draw blood for the needed protein enrichment required to lay eggs. Only after receiving a blood meal is a female mosquito capable of laying eggs. Male mosquitoes feed on nectar from plants.
  • A female mosquito can lay up to 200 eggs at a time and these eggs can survive for several years before becoming emerged with water and hatching into the larvae stage. Some species of mosquitoes lay their eggs directly on the water’s surface; others leave their eggs in an area that will flood at a later date.
  • Not all species of mosquitoes bite humans; some prefer birds, others horses, and some will bite frogs or turtles.
  • Mosquitoes are responsible for more human death than any other living creature. In the United States mosquitoes are mostly a nuisance, however worldwide mosquitoes transmit disease to more than 700,000,000 people annually and will be responsible for the death of 1 of every 17 people currently alive *. The World Health Organization reports malaria causes as many as 3,000,000 deaths annually.
  • There are approximately 170 species of mosquitoes in North America and at least 43 species of mosquitoes are known to occur in North Dakota.
  • Each year thousands of dogs become disabled or die from lung, heart or circulatory problems caused by the heartworm disease. Mosquitoes can transmit this disease. This disease is also preventable with the proper prescription available from Veterinary clinics. Check with your veterinarian about heartworm testing and preventive medicine for your dog.
  • Mosquitoes cannot transmit AIDS.