Mosquito Trivia
Read below to find out some interesting mosquito facts !
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There are approximately 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide. The United States can be credited with about 300 of these species. Florida is home to over 70 of them, and Hernando County surveillance has trapped and identified over 50 species within the county's borders. |
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Only the female mosquito bites. She requires the protein in our blood to produce her eggs. The female will mate only once in her lifetime, however she can lay many broods of eggs before she dies. |
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The male mosquito's job is to fertilize females and feed on nectar. Adult males usually hatch off first, waiting eagerly for their female counterparts. Males will mate many times before they die, and they usually don't live as long as females do - just like humans! |
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Depending on the species, mosquitoes can live several weeks to a month or more in some cases. |
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Mosquitoes
are not active on windy or cool days. |
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Mosquitoes
live year-round in Florida. Some species overwinter (hibernate)
while others continue to thrive and breed given appropriate conditions. |
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The itching we feel after
a mosquito bites is our body’s reaction to the anticoagulant injected
with the mosquito’s saliva as she drills for blood. |
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There
are many ideas as to what attracts mosquitoes. A proven attractant
is CO2 (our breath), and other things thought to bring them to us are
body chemistry, scents (perfume/deodorant), dark colored clothing and
good old luck (for the mosquito, not us!) |
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Although
mosquitoes can carry and spread many dangerous diseases, they cannot
transmit AIDS. |
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Mosquitoes do NOT only bite during the night hours. Certain species of mosquitoes are only active during the daytime, and in most cases, daytime feeders are a great deal more aggressive than nighttime feeders. |
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Most species prefer to feed on animals and birds rather than humans. If their food supply is slim, however, they are not opposed to dining on us! |
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15400 Wiscon Rd., Brooksville, Florida 34601 Phone: 352-540-6552 Peter Taylor- Director