Species of Aedes are abundant from mid May to early August. Their numbers slowly drop as they die off in the fall, after laying their eggs. Eggs are laid in ground crevices and low growing vegetation in areas that are flooded in the spring such as river flood plains and water-holding containers. Larvae must develop in water! They do not hatch and grow in fields of long moist grass. The eggs of some Aedes species will only hatch after a period of drying and chilling, while some eggs only produce larvae after the second or third summer. The first larvae of Aedes can usually be found in late March to mid April. Most Aedes species produce only one generation a year, but late hatching larvae can be found until late June or early July.

Females of Anopheles, Culex and most species of Culiseta hibernate between November and March. Some of the Culiseta are known as snow mosquitos because the females often emerge from hibernation on warm days when snow is still on the ground. Mosquitos that hibernate do not bite since they took their blood meal prior to hibernation. These mosquitos usually die a few weeks after they emerge and lay their eggs.
The eggs of Anopheles, Culex and Culiseta are laid on the surface of water. Anophelines lay their eggs singly, Culex and Culiseta lay their eggs in rafts. These eggs hatch within a few days. Larvae usually appear in early April. Eggs, larvae and pupae can be found throughout the summer because most species of these genera can produce several generations in one season.

Mosquitos go through four distinct stages of development during their life: egg, larvae, pupa and adult. Eggs of some species can remain dormant for upwards of 25 years before hatching. Larvae hatch in ponds, catch basins, puddles and other stagnant bodies of water during spring and summer. At this stage of their lifecycle, larvae go through four phases of growth (1st instar to the fully grown 4th instar) moulting their skins as they grow. After a voracious feeding on plant material the larvae quickly develop into pupae from which the adult emerges at the surface of the water. The females then go in search of a blood meal to complete egg development.

Larval control will be completed throughout the summer using a form of 'biological control' approved by Agriculture Canada for use in mosquito control. The larvicide is a heat-killed bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, or B.t.i., which is specific to mosquito and black fly larvae.

MOSQUITO CONTROL
For information on our mosquito control programs, please contact us

MYTHS ABOUT MOSQUITO CONTROL

Repellents Sound and Electric:

• these devices have no repellency effects
• units are marketed with no test results

Citronella (plants and candles):

• no data to support claims
• pleasont odour does not gauruntee results

Skin Moisturing Oil:

• field tests do not support claims
• mosquitos are 30 times more sensitive to DEET than to skin moisturizers
• ornithologists state Purple Martins and other swallow-like birds do not prefer mosquitos
• mosquitos make up less than 3% of their diet

ADVANTAGES OF VECTOBAC

• Controls 1st through early 4th instar larvae
• Efficacy can be evaluated almost immediately after application, not 7 days later
• Can be used in IPM programs (not harmful to beneficial predators, i.e. fish, insects)
• No residues and exempt from pesticide residue tolerance requirements
• Non-toxic to applicators, non-target wildlife, and domestic animals
• Can be applied to any water sites except treated finished drinking water
• Applications to irragation water are permissible
• Can be applied easily with standard equipment
• Biodegradable
• Can be used in almost any aquatic habitat with no restrictions

Abbott Laboratories' researchers are continuing to develop microbial products that provide efficacious mosquito and black fly control with a sensitivity to preserving delicate aquatic ecosystems.

BUG ZAPPERS

• mosquitos comprise less than 5% of the catch
• kill mostly beneficial insects
• actually attract mosquitos

HOMEOWNER EFFORTS
Since mosquitos need water to complete their lifecycle, the source of a mosquito problem can be just about anywhere water can collect. You can help reduce mosquito populations aroud the home by eliminating these sites and by;

• removing discarded containers from around your property.
• replacing water in bird baths and livestock troughs regularly
• cleaning clogged eavestroughs, drain pipes and ditches
• storing boats, canoes and other objects so that they do not collect rainwater

Mosquitos are attracted to people because of heat, the carbon dioxide we exhale and fragrances in items such as soaps, perfumes, lotions, hair treatments and other personal care products. To reduce the annoyance of moquitos;

• install and maintain tight fitting window and door screens to help keep mosquitos out of the home.
• wear light coloured, loose fitting clothing.
• heat and moisture from barbecues attracts mosquitos, after cooking move away to enjoy your meal