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Why are Mosquitoes Attracted to Water?

If you have ever looked into a bird bath, watering can, or child’s swimming pool after a hard rain, you have likely seen small creatures swimming around in it. While these tiny things may seem harmless, they are not. They are mosquito larvae that will grow up to become adult mosquitoes. The fact that mosquitoes are attracted to water is something that is baffling to many. Are mosquitoes attracted to water because they drink it? And if not that, then why?

It is important that everyone understands the relationship between mosquitoes and water, and to ensure that standing water is not left outside of your home. If it is, you may soon find yourself with an infestation of mosquitoes that are not only annoying, but that also spread disease.

The Life Cycle of the Mosquito

The life cycle of a mosquito consists of an egg stage, a larval stage, a pupal stage, and an adult stage. The small critters seen swimming in water are usually mosquitoes that are in the larval or pupal stage of their life. During this time, the creatures need to live in water in order to survive. The pupal stage only lasts for a few days, so typically the critters seen are in their larval stage. Eggs also only typically last for a few days, and they are not usually seen.

How Do Mosquitoes Breed in Water?

Water provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes, as well as a possible home for their offspring. Some mosquitoes use the water to lay their eggs directly in it. The eggs will float to the top and hatch, and the larva and pupal will live in the water for some time. Other mosquitoes lay their eggs on damp leaves, soil, and other surfaces that are damp and can provide a breeding ground.

When mosquitoes do not lay their eggs directly in the water, they will likely choose an area that floods regularly. The flooding will trigger the egg to begin the life cycle. However, the chances of an egg successfully hatching increase exponentially when there is standing water and not areas that are not regularly exposed to water.

Are Mosquitoes Attracted to All Types of Water?

Generally speaking, mosquitoes are attracted to any type of water, but it is a bit more complex than that. Truthfully, some types of water are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Mosquitoes are more likely to be seen in areas that are relatively humid and that have regular rainfall, which creates swamps and marshes. Mosquitoes also really like lakes, as these bodies of water are not likely to completely evaporate, except in extreme conditions. Lakes are also relatively still and do not have a lot of flow, which could disrupt the life stages of a mosquito, or prevent them from laying eggs.

Water that has a lot of movement is not as attractive to mosquitoes. The motion of the water makes it very challenging for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. The more movement there is in the water, the greater the risk of the egg being destroyed. Even if the flowing water does not destroy the egg, it will make it much harder for the larva to reach the surface of the water. They need to do this to breathe. When water is moving quickly, this becomes much harder than it is when the water is still, such as on a lake.

Why is My Backyard Full of Mosquitoes?

Given that mosquitoes prefer large standing bodies of water, you may wonder why your backyard is infested with the bugs. One reason may be if you have a creek somewhere around your home. Creeks have slower moving water that is a perfect place to lay eggs.

Although there may not be anything you can do about a creek, there might be other culprits behind the infestation, too. Look around your lawn to try and find items that may contain standing water. Watering cans left outside will fill with water and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, as will bird baths. Empty the water from these containers and that should help with your mosquito problem.

Our Pest Control Experts in Texas Can Help with Your Mosquito Problem

If you have an infestation of mosquitoes around your home, our San Antonio pest control experts at Stride Pest Control can eliminate the problem once and for all. Call us today at (210) 547-8410 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.