Mosquito Identification & Prevention
What Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are insects that belong to the order Diptera, and are a type of true fly. Like other true flies, they have two wings; unlike other flies, however, mosquito wings have scales. Mosquitoes are gray, black, or brown, and some have white, silver, green, or blue scales covering their bodies. Their bodies are narrow and oval-shaped, with adults growing to about 1/4 of an inch in length. Female mosquitoes bite people and animals to obtain a blood meal in order to get the protein they need to create viable eggs.
The Dangers of Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are dangerous pests because they can spread diseases and parasites through their bites. Also, mosquito bites cause red, itchy welts to develop. The more sensitive a person is to mosquito saliva, the itchier the bites will be. Their feeding habits and ability to swarm in large numbers cause mosquitoes to drive people indoors.
Why Do I Have a Mosquito Problem?
In Honolulu, the warm, humid weather allows mosquitoes to thrive. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. When the larvae hatch from the eggs, they remain in the water until they develop into adults. Properties with or located near standing water or that have plenty of tree cover tend to have high populations of mosquitoes on them.
