Three of the Most Common Mosquito Types To Be Aware of in Maryland
There are many different kinds of pests that you’ll come across in your day-to-day activities. Right in your home, at certain seasons, you won’t miss an army of ants attacking your sugar dish. If you have a kitchen garden, you may encounter some stink bugs. Also, with the emergence of cicadas, you need to keep an eye out for rodents. But the sneakiest pests are the mosquitoes.
Lighter than a feather, this tiny insect can cause untold suffering through disease and even death. In Maryland, there are three common types of mosquitoes to watch out for. Find out about them and the specific diseases they spread:
The Common House Mosquito
This one got its name because it is especially fond of invading homes. Its scientific name may rhyme with “cute” but it isn’t. It also carries some deadly diseases.
Culex quinquefasciatus is one of the most prevalent mosquito types in the US, with its name coming from its fondness of finding homes to rest in at night. These medium-sized mosquitoes can be identified by their pale brown color, golden scales, and white stripes. Southern house mosquitoes are, of course, most commonly found in or around your home, oftentimes in dirty, standing water that has been collected in some sort of container. This species is an opportunistic night-time feeder, so they are most active during dawn and dusk.
Although its main target has been birds, the southern house mosquito has been more frequently feeding on humans and other mammals. It is considered a bridge vector, or carrier, of viruses between birds and mammals. Diseases most commonly carried by this species include lymphatic filariasis, avian malaria, St. Louis Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis, and Zika. Culex quinquefasciatus is one of the principal vectors of the West Nile virus. Read more at Palmetto Mosquito Control
These ones are sure to annoy you during summer as they target you when you are enjoying the cool air early in the morning or in the evening.
The Asian Tiger Mosquito
Yes, it calls Asia its home and has only been in the US for three and a half decades. Regardless, this mosquito is “making the headlines” and is an insect to watch out for. Their white stripes got them the name “Tiger”. However, they don’t need the cover of darkness to bite. So, you should watch out for them during the day.
The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is known to spread dengue, chikungunya, and dirofilariasis.3 The species originated in Asia, but this world-traveling insect is now also found in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and islands in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Unlike the yellow fever mosquito, the Asian tiger mosquito can survive in colder climates. Read more at Raid
There are other mosquito species that have white stripes. To be sure, this one’s scientific name is Aedes albopictus.
The Yellow Fever Mosquito
Also known as the Aedes Aegypti, this mosquito did not start out as a human biting bug. Although it originated in Africa, it has spread all over the world. It has distinct silver-whitish scales and its body shape can be likened to a lyre.
Aedes aegypti is a species known to transmit viruses that cause tropical fevers such as yellow, Dengue, and Chikungunya. It is also suggested as a possible vector of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) virus. Past vector competency studies have demonstrated Aedes aegypti to transmit the West Nile virus.
Zika virus, an emerging pathogen linked to microcephaly in infants, has also been isolated from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes collected in the field. Additional studies in the laboratory showed the propensity of this mosquito species for Zika virus transmission. Thus it is considered a vector for this disease. Read more at News Medical
You wouldn’t want this mosquito near you or your family, even if you think they have an association with the pyramids of Egypt.
The surefire way to keep these and any other mosquitoes out of your home and away from your yard is simple! Call the Backyard Bug Patrol team. Our barrier spray program is tailor-made to keep mosquitoes away. Call us today!