As warm weather approaches, mosquitoes are gearing up for their arrival. These pests are looking for ideal breeding spots. Understanding how and where mosquitoes breed can help you prevent an infestation. We’ve gathered information about mosquito breeding habits to help you keep these pests away.
Mosquito Breeding Habits
Mosquito breeding begins away from water. Then, female mosquitoes lay eggs on the surface of standing water. Lakes, ponds, or containers filled with water are potential spots. Mosquitoes only need about one inch of water to lay eggs. Floodwater mosquitoes will lay eggs in damp soil. Eggs will remain dormant until it rains or water gathers in the area.
Mosquitoes breed quickly. Female mosquitoes can produce about 300 eggs at a time. Within 48 hours, eggs will hatch into larvae. The larvae develop into pupae before transitioning into adults. About 14 days after hatching, mosquitoes are ready to breed. Female mosquitoes need a blood meal to produce eggs. After this, the cycle will continue and mosquito populations will continue to grow.
When Do Mosquitoes Breed?
For most of the United States, mosquitoes aren’t active year-round. They are troublesome during warm weather months. Mosquitoes become active and begin breeding when temperatures are consistently 50°F or higher. When temperatures drop, most mosquito species die or enter a state of hibernation known as diapause.
Where Do Mosquitoes Breed?
Mosquitoes hang out in areas with overgrown vegetation. They hide in tall grass, plants, and shrubs. These pests take advantage of whatever water they can find. Sometimes this includes permanent water habitats like ponds, lakes, and marshes. Some mosquitoes also lay eggs in damp soil where water is likely to reach the eggs. Drain ditches, flood plains, and pooled water in yards are potential floodwater locations. Items in your yard, like flowerpots and toys, can become a breeding spot too.
Get Rid of Mosquito Breeding Areas
Eliminating moisture build-up is critical to keeping mosquitoes from bugging you. Check your yard for spots where water can collect. You’ll also want to ensure your yard is free of debris, the grass is cut short, and vegetation is trimmed. Here are a few potential breeding spots:
- Birdbaths
- Kiddie pools and toys
- Pet bowls
- Pool covers and unused hot tubs
- Buckets, flower pots, and wheelbarrows
- Gutters
- Puddles or areas with pooled water
- Tall grass and overgrown vegetation
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Hungry mosquitoes can quickly ruin your outdoor activities. Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep these bugs away.
- Create a Protective Barrier: Spraying your lawn with a plant-based insecticide spray can help prevent and control a mosquito infestation. Our Mosquito & Tick Killer and Yard Bug Spray kill these pests and provide residual repellency protection. These repellent properties act as a barrier helping to deter mosquito activity.
- Use a Bug Spray: Our Natural Insect Repellent repels mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. Since it contains plant essential oils, it’s a more environmentally and family-friendly solution when used as directed.
- Spray Bugs Away: For those pesky mosquitoes hanging out near your patio, you can spray them away. Our Mosquito Fogger, Home Bug Spray, and Flying Insect Killer kill mosquitoes and have repellent properties. These work well as a spot treatment when dealing with one or two annoying bugs.
Mosquitoes reproduce quickly, leading to large infestations. Knowing where they’re likely to breed can help you prevent and eliminate an infestation. If you’re dealing with a mosquito problem, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.