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Aedes Mosquitoes

Aedes “Ankle Biter” Mosquitoes

Aedes mosquitoes are quite aggressive. They’re sometimes called “ankle biters” as they tend to bite people near the feet. Unlike common house mosquitoes, which are light brown in color, Aedes mosquitoes are black-and-white. They love to feast on human blood, and some target animals too. Aedes mosquitoes can transmit diseases, spreading potentially fatal viruses like Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and others, warns the CDC.

Mosquito Activity & Breeding Sources

Other than human blood, Aedes mosquitoes love water sources… and they know humans are a sure sign of water sources. Female mosquitoes search for stagnant water to lay their eggs.

Common mosquito breeding sources include:

Water fountains
Plant saucers
Bird baths
Yard clutter or toys that have gathered water
Recyclables
Aquatic plants
Unused tires
Buckets, and more.

As you might guess, you have a mosquito problem if you or a family members receive bites — indoors or outdoors. Aedes mosquitoes might be spreading in your property if you notice black-and-white adult mosquitoes about the size of a pencil eraser head.

Control & Prevention

Inside your home, you can help counter mosquito infestations by:

Using window and door screens (and repairing damaged screens).
Keeping doors closed, including garage doors.
Using air conditioning when possible.
Once a week, empty, scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water like vases or flowerpot saucers that may hold mosquito eggs and larvae.

Outdoors, follow a similar theme in trying to eliminate standing water or moisture:

Empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, trash containers, and the like.
Tightly cover water storage containers like rain barrels or cisterns so mosquitoes can’t get inside to lay eggs. For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes that are smaller than an adult mosquito.
Fill tree holes to prevent them from filling with water.

The CDC advises great care and attention to labels when using chemicals, and engaging a pest control professional for best results. With that in mind, we invite you to take advantage of Ecola’s FREE pest inspection. You’ll learn about best practices, vulnerabilities in your property, and treatment options — and potentially save yourself time, effort, and dollars in chasing ineffective solutions.