Culex Mosquitoes

What do culex mosquitoes look like?

A common genus of mosquitoes in our area is culex. There are several species of culex mosquitoes, including Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus.

In general, culex mosquitoes are medium-sized and are usually brown with pale bands on the body. Like all mosquitoes, they have long, slender legs and a long pin-like mouth, but culex mosquitoes are somewhat distinct in that they have silver, green, or blue iridescent scales on the thorax.

What do culex mosquitoes eat?

These mosquitoes have the same diet as others, but what they eat might surprise you. Mosquitoes don’t sustain themselves on blood. They live by feeding on nectar and plant juices. A female will only draw a blood meal for reproduction purposes. The blood meal contains the protein, iron, and amino acids female mosquitoes need to produce eggs. Female mosquitoes get blood from birds, furry animals, and even reptiles. Unfortunately, they will also bite a human to get a blood meal. This is a big problem because this feeding habit makes mosquitoes vectors for diseases that pass from animals to humans.

Do all culex mosquitoes bite?

This question is linked to the last question. Not all culex mosquitoes will bite you, only the females. Male mosquitoes only eat nectar and plant juices. They don’t need blood for reproduction. Male mosquitoes also don’t live long, so that large population dies off quickly, leaving only the smaller number of mosquitoes that will bite you.

What attracts culex mosquitoes?

If you don’t want these pests in your yard, knowing what lures them to your property is helpful. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Standing water
  Culex mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. In nature, they lay eggs in ponds or puddles. When they enter your yard, they can lay eggs in buckets, cups, gutters, and more.
• Warmth
  Culex mosquitoes increase their activity during the warmer months of the year. They are cold-blooded animals. As cold-blooded animals, they’re more active when they warm up. Conversely, cold temperatures slow them down.
• Plants
  Since culex mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices, a yard with more plants will invite these pests. They are particularly drawn to vegetation watered routinely because mosquitoes need humidity for body hydration.

Are culex mosquitoes dangerous?

In most cases, mosquito bites are not harmful. You can get several bites that only result in itchy wounds. But there is a risk when it comes to Culex mosquitoes.

• West Nile: This is a common, localized, and potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus spread by culex mosquitoes in North America. It is associated with brain swelling, also known as encephalitis.
• St. Louis encephalitis (SLE): The name says it all. Like West Nile virus, this mosquito-borne virus is hazardous due to brain swelling. Fortunately, there have only been 14 human cases of SLE in Harris County over the last two decades.
• Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE): This disease primarily impacts horses but can cause serious illness in humans.

The primary concern with encephalitis is brain swelling. If you feel ill, monitor your symptoms and note any head pressure or impaired vision.

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

Contact Marathon Pest Control to drastically reduce the mosquito population on your property. We specialize in installing and maintaining automatic mosquito misting systems and offer mosquito spraying in The Woodlands and nearby communities.

How can I prevent culex mosquitoes on my property?

Preventing problems with culex mosquitoes involves addressing the attractants we mentioned earlier. When temperatures warm up, use these tips to deter mosquito activity:

• Remove objects that collect rainwater.
• Clear out your gutters and make repairs.
• Trim vegetation to reduce humidity.
• Repair damaged plumbing.
• Address lawn or landscaping weeds.
• Keep grass cut low.
• Trim tree canopy to allow sunlight into shaded areas.
• Remove leaf litter and other organic debris.