Mosquitoes in Anaheim

Mosquito

Actual Size: ⅛ to ⅜”

Characteristics: Gray or black in color, occasionally with white, green, or blue markings. Often identified by their long proboscis.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes

Habitat: Thrives in environments with lots of stagnant water, which they use to breed. Typically found near ponds, lakes, and properties with lots of standing water.

Habits:

Crepuscular insects that are most active right at dusk or dawn.
Has a large, slender mouthpart called a proboscis.
Considered one of the most dangerous insects in the world.

Almost everyone in the United States has experienced a mosquito bite at least once in their lives. While these tiny insects may seem like a mild annoyance, they are actually a much threat to human health due to the diseases they can transmit. According to the World Health Organization, mosquito bites cause the death of over 1 million people worldwide each year, largely due to malaria. With over 200 different species found across North America, these small pests can thrive in a wide range of habitats ranging from deserts to mountain meadows. Unfortunately, very few places in the world are free from mosquitoes, and Anaheim is no different.

Mosquito Habitat

Mosquitoes need one main thing to survive: still water. They need stagnant or slow-moving water to reproduce, but can use as little as half an inch to lay eggs. For that reason, mosquitoes are very common in wet environments like lakes, ponds, or marshlands. These insects also frequently infest properties that collect a lot of water. Landscaping features, bird baths, kiddie pools, metal buckets, gardening tools, overflowing gutters – pretty much any item that can collect water could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. That’s why it’s crucial for homeowners to check their property regularly for puddles or pools of water.

Mosquito Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

The biggest problem with mosquitoes is that they require a blood meal before reproducing. Females will feed on humans and animals before laying eggs. Their bites are almost unnoticeable until a few minutes have passed, when you’ll likely notice an itchy or red welt. While most mosquito bites are fairly harmless, some can transmit serious diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile. Mosquitoes can also transmit heartworm to dogs, making them a danger to the entire family. While it may seem impossible to completely get rid of these pests, a professional mosquito exterminator can significantly reduce populations near your property and help you avoid those itchy, potentially dangerous bites.

Mosquito