This has been the worst year (2011) for this pest that I can recall. It must have to do with the amount of rain and humid weather we have had. A true pest and no matter what I used this year it did not prevent me from being covered in bites.
Life Cycle: Mosquitoes are well known vectors of several diseases including West Nile Virus. The mosquito life cycle is made up of 4 stages. Egg rafts are laid on standing water and are very hardy. Some species lay eggs in the fall which survive through the winter to hatch in the spring. When conditions are right, larvae hatch from the eggs and begin feeding on organic matter in the water. The larvae require the water to be stagnant as a result of their methods of breathing and eating. Larvae progress through several stages of growth and transform in pupa, which are also reliant on standing water. Adults emerge from the pupa and rest on the water’s surface before taking flight. After mating, which takes place approximately one day after emergence; female mosquitoes begin to seek a blood meal. Contrary to popular belief mosquitoes do not take blood for their own nourishment. Instead, mosquitoes feed on plant sugars. It is only the adult females that take a blood meal that is used for the development of eggs. Adult males do not take blood. The cycle begins again when the female deposits her eggs on standing water. The entire cycle can take anywhere from 7 to 14 days. Higher temperatures tend to decrease the required time for development.
Habitat: Mosquitoes are usually found in shaded areas with varying amounts of vegetation. A common factor to all mosquito environments is a source of standing water in which to breed. Different species have different preferences for breeding sites. Natural breeding sites for mosquitoes include small water filled depressions, swamps, tree holes, and sheltered areas of larger bodies of water. Many common human products present excellent alternatives to these natural mosquito nurseries, such as pool covers, bird baths, unused toys, and old tires.
There are approximately 75 mosquito species in Canada, of which 57 are found in Ontario.