Mosquito Facts and Educational Resources

Here you will find educational resources on mosquitoes, their breeding habitats, and how you can help protect yourself from nuisance bites and mosquito-borne diseases.

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What Attracts Mosquitos to Humans & Animals

Mosquitoes can leave itchy, red, and bumpy bites on us while others can be a carrier of disease pathogens. Learn what attracts mosquitoes to us, when they bite, and where they are commonly found.

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Mosquito Breeding Habitats

The mosquito’s ideal habitat to breed is stagnant water. Containers like flower planters, gutters, pools, potholes, and tires are all common objects where mosquito larvae can be found. Click here for a checklist of actions you can take to help protect yourself from mosquito bites and reduce mosquito breeding habitats on your property.

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The 4Ds: Protect Yourself and Your Community

It’s common to spend time in nature to relax and reset, but silent threats like mosquitoes can make this difficult and even dangerous. One of the reasons mosquitoes so often plague our outdoor activities is because they are highly efficient at reproducing. The best way to protect yourself when spending time outdoors is to remember the 4Ds:

  1. Defend: Consistently wear and reapply an EPA-registered repellent when outdoors. The safest and most effective repellents should contain 10-30% DEET (N, N Diethyl-meta-toluamide).

  2. Dress: Wear closed-toe shoes, light colors, and long sleeves and pants to keep your skin protected

  3. Drain: Dump standing water around your home to prevent mosquito breeding habitats 

  4. Dusk & Dawn: Limit spending time outdoors when mosquitoes are most active    

Click here to learn more about The 4Ds.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Resources

Want to learn more about mosquitoes, diseases, mosquito bites, and mosquito control? Visit the CDC’s website for more information.