There are approximately 3,500 species. All mosquitoes require standing water or moist soil to breed, but the type of water they prefer depends on the species. Some prefer containers, such as tires, tree holes, buckets, and water troughs. Others prefer water with lots of organic material (leaves, grass) that is very stagnant. Still others breed primarily in swamps and marshes, some fresh water, and some salt water. Which species are most important in disease transmission depends on the location, virus, and other animals (amplification hosts) involved. Control of these different types of mosquitoes obviously requires different approaches. Some can be affected by measures taken at individual stables, such as reducing or cleaning water holding containers. Other species require more extensive management, such as impoundments, truck or aerial sprays, and treatment of ditches or other large bodies of water.

Female mosquitoes bite animals, using the blood as a protein source to develop eggs. The eggs are laid in or near water, hatch (some require flooding, others hatch immediately), and begin larval development. Development from egg to adult can be completed in as little as 6-7 days in the summer. Some species will bite almost any type of animal, while others are very specific. Different species vary in their preferred time to feed, but many feed during dawn or dusk. Mosquitoes tend to bite anywhere on the horse, unlike some other flies which concentrate on the midline, face or legs.

Because female mosquitoes feed on blood, diseases causing pathogens can be transmitted from person to person or in some cases from animal to man via vector mosquitoes. There are various methods of mosquito control ranging from barrier methods to chemical control with pesticides. We formulate combinations of pesticides which can effectively control the resistant types.

The following are the most common mosquito species;

Aedes ssp

Also known as the tiger mosquito, it is associated with the transmission of dengue fever, eastern equine encephalitis, and heartworm. It is native to the continent of Asia, and was most likely brought to the U.S. and Africa through shipments of scrap tires from northern Asia.
It is a small mosquito with distinctive white scales on its thorax, and black and white scales on its abdomen and legs. It is an aggressive daytime biter.

Culex ssp

Also known as the northern house mosquito, it is the most common species found in urban areas. It is believed to be primarily responsible for the transmission of the West Nile virus to humans, birds and other mammals. It is also transmits elephantiasis in human beings especially in the coastal areas.
It is brown and has white markings on its legs and mouth parts. It prefers to attack at dusk and after dark.

Anopheles ssp:

It is the chief carrier of malaria in the eastern, central and southern United States and also in Africa.
It is brown and has three long projections on its head. There are white patches on the wing-veins of many of the more dangerous anopheline mosquitoes. It is active after dusk and just before dawn.