There’s no questioning that mosquitoes are a nuisance when it comes to enjoying the outdoors. They bite, you itch, and sometimes they’ll even carry a disease that makes you sick. Whether outside enjoying your weekend with the family or planning a big event, you don’t want these biting insects around. But, where do they come from and why are they such a bother? Today, we’ll take a look at some of the important questions. Like, what are mosquitoes? Why do mosquitoes bite? And, what are some other mosquito facts you might want to know?
What are Mosquitoes?
The first question you might be wondering is what are mosquitoes exactly? It might surprise you to find out, but mosquitoes are actually a group of nearly 3,500 different species of insects. Depending on the species of mosquito, the standard time it takes for one to reach adulthood is about 5 to 114 days. Most mosquitoes lay eggs in water, where they develop into larva, pupa, and then fly from the water source as a fully-grown adult mosquito.
Why do Mosquitoes Bite?
Of course, once a mosquito reaches adulthood, it becomes the pest that we are familiar with. What might surprise you is that many mosquitoes won’t actually feed off the blood of a human. In fact, it is the female mosquito that bites. Which raises the question: why do mosquitoes bite? Understanding it is just the female mosquito that bites, you might have a guess. It has to do with breeding. In fact, the female mosquito needs the blood to help her eggs grow and breed new generations of mosquito. Meanwhile, male mosquitoes will be found feeding on the nectar of plants.
Interesting Mosquito Facts
There are a lot of mosquito myths floating around out there, which can make separating fact from fiction difficult. Looking just at mosquito facts, another question you might wonder is what purpose these insects serve in the environment. Since most mosquitoes feed on the nectar of plants, they, like most insects, actually serve a purpose in germinating new flowers and keeping plants growing. In the wild, they can have a definite impact on the growth of local flowers and plants.
Another interesting fact about mosquitoes is that the name itself means “little fly” in Spanish, an appropriate name considering mosquitoes include nearly 3,500 different types of little flies.
Misting Systems to Keep Mosquitoes at Bay
Understanding that mosquitoes are an important part of the ecosystem, it’s important that we realize why we want to keep them around. Of course, the last thing we want is to have them bother us when we are going about our outdoor activities. It’s this reason that mosquito misting systems are such a popular option, especially for homeowners here in Florida. Rather than eliminate the mosquitoes, the idea behind a misting system is that you keep the mosquitoes away. This way, they can continue to serve their purpose in nature without biting you and your family while you’re trying to enjoy outdoor activities.
If you want a custom quote on a mosquito misting system for your home, call today 866-900-7928 for a free estimate and to learn more about how SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ can help.