Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are a nuisance when they swarm in large numbers, and when they bite, leaving behind itchy welts. They are more than a nuisance, however. They can carry serious diseases that infect humans and animals, including West Nile virus, malaria, and eastern equine encephalitis. Every effort should be made to avoid mosquito bites.
There are over 3000 species of mosquitoes worldwide, and over 40 in Maine, about half of which feed on human blood. Mosquitoes are active at dusk and dawn, are most active at 80°F and do not function below 50°F.
Identification
When a mosquito bites, it injects chemicals to prevent the blood from clotting and reduce pain. These chemicals cause irritation, which causes itching.
Only the female mosquitoes feed on blood; male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar and juices.
Mosquito larvae. In warm weather mosquitoes can grow from egg to adult in 5 days.
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List of licensed companies offering tick & mosquito control in Maine
Control Information
Fact Sheets
- From the Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service
- Entomological Notes: Mosquitoes (PDF)—PennState College of Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension
- Mosquito Biology—University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Mosquito Management—University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Integrated Pest Management Around the Home: Mosquitoes (PDF)—University of California
- Mosquito Safari—Texas AgriLIFE Extension
- Mosquito Control—United States Environmental Protection Agency
- FAQs on Mosquitoes—Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station
Dig Deeper
- Use of Cervid Serosurveys to Monitor Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity in Northern New England, 2009-2017 by Dr. Charles B. Lubelczyk (PDF) - Summary: Researchers surveyed harvested white-tailed deer and moose for antibodies to eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEv), an emerging arbovirus in northern New England. Antibodies to EEEv were found across northern New England in both deer and moose, despite limited reporting of veterinary or human cases. Surveys of this type are a useful tool in enhancing public health surveillance for vector-borne pathogens. This data is also available as an open access article.
- Impacts of native and invasive plants on mosquito ecology and management by Dr. Allison Gardner (PDF)
Information on Insect Repellents
- Insect Repellent Use & Safety—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Insect Repellents: Reducing Insect Bites—United States Environmental Protection Agency
- Insect Repellents—University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- How to Choose Mosquito Control Products—Maine Board of Pesticides Control
- Using Insect and Tick Repellents Safely (PDF)—PennState College of Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension
- The Insect Repellent DEET—U.S. Department of Environmental Protection
- Public Health Fact Sheet: Mosquito Repellents (PDF)—Massachusetts Department of Public Health
- Fact Sheet: Insect Repellents (PDF)—University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
Information on Infectious Diseases
- Vectors and Vectorborne Diseases—Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention Resources
- West Nile Virus: What You Need To Know—United States Center for Disease Control
- West Nile Virus Facts (PDF)—Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Office of Epidemiology and Disease Control Programs
[Photos, left to right: Jim Occi, BugPics, Bugwood.org; Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org; Jim Occi, BugPics, Bugwood.org]