Mosquito Biology & Management Around the Home

1. Mosquito Biology& Management Around the Home Todd Murray, IPM Program

2. The Basics… • Diptera: Flies • Culicidae: Mosquitoes • 3,000 species + worldwide • 50 species in the PNW • 9 species vectors of WNV in WA • Aquatic insects • Two Groups • Floodwater • Permanent water • Important pests of humans

3. Life Cycle

4. Habitats

5. Habitats

6. Habitats

7. Aedes A. vexans* A. cinereus* Anopheles A. punctipennis* Culiseta C. inornata* Culex C. pipiens* C. tarsalis* Ochlerotatus O. japonicus* O. canadensis* Coquillettidia C. perturbans* Mosquito Genre in Washington *Known WNV Vectors

8. Eggs • Laid singly • On water • Anopheles • Coquillrttidia • On land • Aedes & Ochlerotatus • Egg rafts • Culex spp.

9. Larvae (Wigglers) • Hatch to larvae in 48 hrs • 4 instars • Breath oxygen • Filter feeders • 7-14 days

10. Pupae (Tumblers) • Non-feeding stage • 1-4 days

11. Emergers

12. Adults

13. Adults • 1-2 months • Females feed on blood • Mating usually occurs at breeding site. • Nectar feeders • ½ - 2 mile range

14. WNV in Washington Don’t Panic Don’t Ignore

15. WNV Response Plan • Coordinated plan with county offices: • Questions on Human Health: • Local County Health Department • Questions about specific water bodies: • County/City Public Works • Questions about mosquito management: • County Cooperative Extension

16. Mosquito Control

17. Mosquito Management • Best achieved as an area wide/regional effort. • Mosquito abatement & vector control districts: • Citizen/ taxpayer • Political process • Single mission

18. Message to Homeowners • Report mosquito problems to your local government

19. Message to Homeowners • Insecticides are generally ineffective for mosquito management around the home • Adulticides • Larvicides

20. Bite Prevention Source Reduction Cultural Management

21. Bite Prevention • Barriers • Limit outdoor activities • Keep windows and doorways tightly sealed • Wear protective clothing • Mosquito netting can also be used to protect one’s face and neck or used on infant carriages, strollers and playpens

22. Bite Prevention • Repellents: The same respect and caution should be used when using repellents as with other insecticides. • Choose a repellent that best fits your outdoor activity. • Apply repellents to areas that are exposed. • Do not apply repellents to open wounds, eyes or mouth. • People with sensitive skin should avoid using repellents • Test a small area of skin • Wash off repellents after going indoors

23. DEET • 10-40% DEET are sufficient for repelling mosquitoes on adults • Products containing 23% DEET offer over five hours of protection • Increased concentrations over 50% do not offer significantly longer protection • 10% or less of DEET are suitable for use on children • Repellents should not be used on infants

24. Citronella Repellents • Citronella • Topically or volatilized in candles • Topically applied citronella is short lasting • Candles can offer some reduction of mosquito bites

25. Repellents • Permethrin (both insecticide and repellent) • Used on clothing and other fabrics • Should not be applied directly to skin • Read the label and follow directions • Bath oils, such as Avon Skin-So-Soft: • EPA registered • Works for less than 30 minutes

26. Mosquito Repelling Plants • Mosquito-repelling plants, such as the citrosa plants, do not significantly reduce mosquito numbers or mosquito bites • Plant-derived repellents, such as soybean oil • Not long lasting as products containing DEET • 2% soybean oil last for over one hour, on average

27. Electronic Repellents • High frequency sounds do not repel mosquitoes, or other pests • Electronic bug zappers do not control mosquitoes or other flying pests

28. Mosquito Traps • Newly developed carbon dioxide baited traps do attract and trap many adult mosquitoes • Expensive • Practical benefits unknown

29. Habitat Reduction • Eliminate water-trapping containers

30. Regularly drain water-trapping containers: • Change birdbath water every week (more frequently during summer) • Drill drainage holes in planters, boxes and tires left or used outdoors

31. Regularly drain water-trapping containers: • Regularly drain pet dishes and plant pot saucers • Empty uncovered rain barrels every week (more frequently during summer)

32. Regularly drain water-trapping containers: • Regularly clean and repair gutters to prevent them from retaining water.

33. Regularly drain water-trapping containers: • Regularly check and drain plastic covers and tarps • Store water-trapping containers upside down or inside shelters.

34. Fill in or landscape water-trapping areas of your yard: • Fill in tree holes • Check and repair leaky irrigation systems, pipes and faucets • Do not over-water your lawn and garden

35. Fill in or landscape water-trapping areas of your yard: • Fill or drain seepage ponds and puddles • Grade or fill low areas

36. Manage habitats in and around water bodies: • Such as: ornamental and retention ponds, ditches and catch basins • Manage weeds • Remove unnecessary floating structures or debris • Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean to allow proper drainage • Shape pond edges to a shelf or steep slope. Mosquitoes prefer shallow pond edges

37. Biological Control • Predators of adult mosquitoes

38. Biological Control

39. Biological Control • Conserve beneficial organisms in permanent water bodies • Reduce habitat disturbance • Stock predatory fish in closed, managed water bodies such as ornamental ponds • Contact WS Fish & Wildlife for permits and recommendations

40. Homeowner Larvicides • Rarely recommended for home use • For use only in contained water bodies

41. Mosquito Management Fact Sheets