Larval Habitats
There are about 60 different types of mosquitoes in Michigan and each one has its own particular habitat and life style. Are you raising mosquitoes in your backyard? Take a look at these examples to learn more.
Flooded Wood lots
Occur from snow melt and spring rains. These provide a breeding ground for spring Aedes mosquitoes. Typically, these areas stop producing new mosquitoes near the end of May, but the species that inhabit this environment are long lived and persist well into summer months. Most of these sites are treated by ground crews, but larger and more dense areas may be treated by plane.
Flooded Fields
(low grassy areas) will produce mosquitoes during the summer. This habitat occurs after rain events and and is usually cyclic in nature. These areas produce the species Aedes vexans. Our technicians watch for and treat these areas throughout the summer season.
Roadside Ditches
Roadside ditches are numerous around the county and provide yet another type of habitat for mosquitoes in the summer. These areas can produce a variety of species and are most often treated with a truck mounted liquid delivery system.
Permanent Water
Encountered in swamps can provide a perfect breeding ground for species like Anopheles, Culiseta, and others. When possible these areas are are monitored for activity and treated accordingly.
Artificial Containers
Like tires can trap water and debris. This provides an ideal habitat for Culex and Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes. Most tires used in parks and playgrounds have a hole drilled in them to allow water to drain out. We treat in other instances where this has not been done.
Sewage Lagoons
Provide a habitat for Culex mosquitoes and adjacent Rubbish Pits or compost piles will often flood out after summer rains and provide a habitat as well. These areas are continuously monitored and treated.
Fresh Water Marshes
Dominate most of the county shoreline on Saginaw bay. Coquillettidia perturbans are the usual mosquitoes found in this situation. This species attaches to cattail roots and is nearly impossible to treat for in its aquatic stage.
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