Whats Bugging You Right now?



Culex pipiens, Anopheles freeborni and Culex tarsalis




Two mosquitoes that will start to be seen during our mid-spring to late summer seasons are the Culex pipien and Anopheles freeborni mosquitoes.

Adult Culex pipien mosquitoes, commonly known as the "House mosquito" will begin to emerge from their overwintering spots, such as garages , basements and protected overhangs of houses. Generally, Culex pipien mosquitoes are found around homes and structures. Fertilized Culex pipiens will seek a blood meal primarily from birds, and/or mammals including humans. When temperatures are right and the Culex pipien eggs are ready, the female will look for a source to lay her eggs. Some common sources are gutter catch basins, neglected swimming pools, outdoor flower pots that do not drain and birdbaths that are full of water and debris. Anything that can hold water can become a source for mosquitoes.

The Anopheles mosquito's habitat is flooded agricultural areas such as rice fields. These mosquitoes will move into populated areas seeking blood meals and look for places to overwinter in the fall months. Anopheles mosquitoes will hibernate through the winter months and when springtime temperatures reach around 65 degrees, they come out of their resting spots seeking a blood meal to keep their eggs viable. Typically the Anopheles mosquito will tend to go back into their resting spots as temperatures fluctuate throughout the spring months. Warmer days will push the Anopheles mosquitoes back into open areas where they will find suitable standing water to lay their eggs and produce large numbers of adult mosquitoes.

The Culex tarsalis mosquito will begin to emerge when abundant agricultural and wetland water is applied to the vast amount of acreage within the district. These mosquitoes prefer to feed during dusk and dawn hours. The Culex tarsalis mosquito will continue to emerge from the large standing water sources into late fall when temperatures will slow it's emergence.


As we begin to enjoy our outdoor areas on a more regular basis, the Colusa Mosquito Abatement District asks everyone that is out and about, to keep an eye out for mosquito breeding sources around their homes and neighborhoods. Anything that can hold water is prime habitat for mosquitoes.

The Colusa Mosquito Abatement District is continuing to implement their surveillance program, along with their larval control program. These services which start in the spring, run through summer, and will continue through fall. The districts adulticide program, which began in May, will continue to the middle of November. Please see the district's spray schedule on the Services tab above.

The Colusa Mosquito Abatement District asks that if you are spending time outdoors, to use preventative measures such as repellants, long sleeve shirts, and long pants. Please feel free to contact the district if you have any questions or concerns.



Look back here in the future for more of WHATS BUGGING YOU RIGHT NOW?