There are many insects around the world that are feared for several reasons. Mosquitoes however leads the pact with humans trying to find the best method to eradicate them.
As a blood sucking insect, they carry diseases like yellow fever, Zika, malaria, encephalitis, and dengue fever that can maim and kill. In addition to human and animal blood, mosquitoes also like flower nectar.
However, it is only the male mosquitoes that gathers nectar and the female is the skin biting insect. Female mosquitoes have one goal in mind when they bite humans and that is to get protein for their larvae.
If there are no eggs to keep alive and healthy, then a female mosquito is known to also gather nectar.
What is the Mosquito Environment?
Mosquito larvae can be found in anything that can hold water. Entomologists tell us that mosquito larvae can exist in something as small as a soft drink bottle top.
Remember to dump all standing water areas around your home whether it works or not because your neighbor might have a bird bath which they enjoy.
Manufacturers who produce products to get rid of mosquitoes are lining store shelves with products that offer protection and the ability to get rid of mosquito larva’s, including exterminating companies.
Look! Up in The Air
In addition to mosquitoes flying around, we also see lots of bees and wasps. When either insect is around it is hard to tell the difference when you are trying to get away from them.
Even though bees and wasps may look similar in coloring like yellow and black, they are physically different, and their personality is different.
There are thousands of wasp species in the U.S. They come in a colorful variety that is amazing. Wasps and bees build nests, but wasps take material like wood and chews it into pulp, while bees secrete their nest building substance.
Wasp Species
In an effort to quell the mosquito population, we would enjoy hearing that wasps which eat insects would also enjoy adult and/or larvae mosquitoes.
Below are different U.S. mosquito species, a couple of which do not seek to sting humans, but all wasp species have stingers and they will use them as provoked.
Wasp species include the following:
- Yellowjacket Wasp
Yellowjacket wasps like hornets are builders of paper nests. They build their nests inside cracks in a wall, in the ground, in attics, and around trash cans where they have access to different food types.
Wasps are carnivorous because their favorite foods are caterpillars, flies, and spiders. In late summer, however, wasps concentrate on flower nectar to store up as much nectar as possible to supply the queen’s next season’s food source.
- Bald-Faced Hornet
The bald-faced hornet is named hornet, but it is a true wasp species. Bald-faced hornets also like their meat prey in the form of flies and other types of insects. They build their nests in tree hollows, under rocks, and in walls and attics.
The queen starts their nests by collecting and eating decayed wood which she chews and breaks down into a cellulose paste where she designs an amazing nest. Near the end of summer, bald-faced hornets also gather flower nectar.
- Paper Wasp
Paper Wasps are called accordingly because their nests are made out of paper which is ingeniously made from chewing wood and various types of vegetation.
Paper Wasps like their privacy by building their nests around human homes in a secluded alcove, nook, and cranny. The diet of Paper Wasps includes caterpillars, spiders, other insects, and occasionally nectar.
- Mud Dauber Wasp
There is no guess what this wasp’s nest is made from. The Mud Dauber Wasp queen gathers balls of mud and begins to build her nest.
This wasp looks for building corners or eaves to make their artful nests of mud. The Mud Dauber is a loner and they rarely sting humans if left undisturbed. Their diet consists of flies and spiders which they sting first and then ingests them.
- Ichneumon Wasp
Ichneumon is Greek for tracker which the female wasp does. The female Ichneumon Wasp uses its prey to lay their eggs as the young feeds on the host (grubs and caterpillars) as they grow.
The diet of the Ichneumon Wasp also consists of beetles, butterflies, moths, ants, flies, spiders and other bugs that plagues a farmer’s crops.
The Ichneumon Wasp is the largest of the wasp species. Their nests are located near building structures and wooded areas.
Do Wasps Eat Mosquitoes?
With an appetite for insects, the question is do wasps eat mosquitoes? Unfortunately, adult mosquitoes nor their larvae are on a wasp’s dietary radar.
Another reason why wasps don’t seek mosquitoes to eat is because when mosquitoes are their busiest which is evening and nighttime, wasps return to their nests at dusk.
Is There No Help?
Are there no mother nature critters available to help control the mosquito population?
Yes, there are a few insects, amphibians, and mammals which feed on mosquitos, but not enough that these insect numbers would significantly decrease.
But every little bit helps! A list of mosquito predators includes the following:
- Dragonflies and Damselflies – Dragonflies and Damselflies enjoy the mosquito larvae more than adult mosquitoes.
- Mosquitoes – there are certain species of mosquitoes which eat the larvae of other mosquitoes.
- Birds – Many bird species eat adult mosquitoes and its larvae, like the purple martins, geese, swallows, ducks, songbirds, hummingbirds, and waterfowls.
- Fish – Mosquitoes enjoy using water to lay their larvae and enjoying this same environment are guppies, catfish, goldfish, bass, bluegill, and the mosquito fish (Gambusia Affinis).
- The mosquito fish is the only predator that eats its fill of mosquitoes. Also, this fish species is used by National park agencies to control their mosquito populations.
- Bats – Bats and mosquitoes share the night air with bats enjoying their mosquito echo locating skills and catching one of their many favorite insect diets.
- Frogs, Tadpoles, Turtles – These amphibians do not eat adult mosquitoes but they do dine heartily on mosquito larvae
- Spiders – Spiders will dine on anything that is trapped in their web.
- Beetles – Aquatic beetles enjoy a feast of adult mosquitoes and its larvae.
Summary
Roaches are the longest living creature that can withstand bombs, fires, etc. I think that right behind roaches are mosquitoes.
Yes, mosquitoes need water to survive, but they find it and thrive even in desert areas. Plus, mosquito species are thriving in Alaska.
Simply follow the CDC, exterminators, and health agency’s rules on staying safe from mosquito bites. Technology in all areas of our lives are changing who we live.
Mosquito technology is involving larvae DNA testing, mosquito behavior, and medication to help individuals with diseases carried by mosquitoes.
Don’t give up, mosquito abatement help is right around the adverbial corner.