The recent flooding over much of the central United States could potentially spell a worse than usual mosquito population. As rivers and streams recede, they leave behind ponds and puddles where mosquitoes can breed. Even worse, some mosquito species live only in flood zones.
It helps to understand the life cycle of mosquitoes. All species go through a process of metamorphosis that consists of four stages:
- Eggs. Depending on the species, eggs are laid singly, or in “rafts,” but they usually float on the surface of water.
- Larvae. Larvae (“wrigglers”) emerge from the eggs and have an entirely aquatic existence. Most feed by filtering small organisms from the water.
- Pupae. The pupa (“tumbler”) is also aquatic, and represents the transitional stage between larva and adult.
- Adults. The adult mosquito emerges from the pupa stage at the water’s surface. The surface tension of the water allows the tiny insect to rest there until its body hardens and its wings dry for flight.
Different Lifestyles
Most mosquitoes in urban areas are permanent water species that breed in standing water that collects in tree holes, bird baths, cans and other containers, on tarps, and in neglected or abandoned swimming pools, and puddles.
Floodwater mosquitoes, such as the Inland Floodwater Mosquito, Aedes vexans, lay eggs in dry locations where there is a high probability of flooding. Their eggs require a period of drying out, and the eggs can survive at least a year without water to trigger hatching. Floodwater mosquitoes are most abundant around the edges of moist pastures, irrigation furrows, swales, ditches, and similar habitats. Adult females can fly several miles to find a meal of blood.
How to Cope
There is little you can do to curb populations of floodwater mosquitoes, so your best bet is to use repellents. For skin protection use either a DEET (30% and 100% DEET based formula) or Picaridin formula and spray your clothing, tents and sleeping bags with Permethrin. Suggested repellents: Ben’s® Tick & Insect Repellent (DEET based formula), Natrapel® 8 hour (20% Picaridin formula), Ben’s® Clothing and Gear 6 oz. Insect Repellant (.5% Permethrin formula). Already bitten? Apply After Bite®, a pharmacist-preferred formula that stops the itch and discomfort. All repellents and treatments can be found on www.tendercorp.com.
Read the directions and warnings carefully to insure maximum protection and minimal discomfort. While the Inland Floodwater mosquito does not transmit West Nile Virus, it can carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis.