Mosquitoes are one of the most ubiquitous pests in the world. But did you know that there are many different varieties of mosquitoes, each with its own specific behaviors and health risks?
For an effective approach to indoor and backyard mosquito control, you need to consider all mosquito types. One common type is the Culex mosquito.
Culex is a genus of mosquito, which means that there are many different species of mosquito that fall under the classification of “Culex.” Culex are some of the most common mosquitoes in the United States. All Culex species share some common features: most notably, the females feed on birds and mammals in addition to humans.
Like most mosquitoes, Culex leave itchy and painful bites on humans. Females lay their eggs in water and experience a life cycle of two to four weeks, although this can be accelerated in hot weather. They also serve as vectors for a number of diseases.
Because Culex mosquitoes feed on both animals and humans, they are commonly found outdoors. Like most mosquito varieties, female Culex lay their eggs on the surface of water. They are drawn to both stagnant and fresh water sources, although they’re more commonly found near stagnant sources.
As such, you can expect to find Culex mosquitoes outdoors, especially near water. Besides their location, Culex can be identified by their average size (usually 4-10mm long, which is slightly larger than most other varieties) and their downward-pointing stomach (as opposed to the Anopheles mosquito’s upward-pointing stomach). Because there is so much variety among the many species of Culex, it can be hard to identify them right away.
Additionally, physical features are hard to identify on mosquitoes because of how small they are. If you can’t get close enough for a thorough examination, identifying based on location is your best bet. Unfortunately, the itchy bite of the Culex is another easy way to identify an infestation of this pest.
And don’t be fooled by their outdoor-dwelling habits: one variety of Culex carries the common name of “house mosquito” because it is commonly found indoors.
Multiple species of the Culex mosquito can be found throughout Utah. These pests thrive in warm weather and around standing water, and our state’s residential areas have both of these in abundance.
Culex mosquitoes pose a health concern to Utah residents because they carry diseases such as West Nile Virus (which has been confirmed in Utah in the past). Various forms of encephalitis, also carried by Culex, have also been identified in the state. Because of their role as disease vectors, backyard mosquito control is becoming a health measure.
If you’re struggling to handle mosquitoes in your home or yard, H2 Pest Control can help. We’re local experts with a strong understanding of Utah pests, and we’ll help you identify the source of your problem and quickly treat it. When it comes to the Culex mosquito, we have experience with both indoor and backyard mosquito control.
Call us today to get started!
