Mosquitoes have quite the reputation for being extremely annoying and persistent. Yet, there’s actually a lot more to them than the itchy welts they leave behind. These tiny insects have a surprisingly interesting biology and history that spans farther back than most people realize. Whether you’re swatting them away at a backyard barbecue or dealing with a full-blown infestation around your home, understanding them a bit better may change your perception. Here are some fascinating facts you probably didn’t know about mosquitoes:

Only Females Bite

When people think of mosquitoes, they usually think of how much they bite. But you probably didn’t know that the ones responsible for these bites are always female. Female mosquitoes feed on blood to obtain the nutrients they need for their eggs, making biting a biological necessity rather than just an annoying behavior. Males, on the other hand, feed on nectar and fruit juices, posing no bite threats to humans.

Super Short Lifespans

Despite how many mosquitoes always seem to be buzzing around, these insects actually have a remarkably short lifespan. Male mosquitoes survive for a week to ten days, while females live between six and eight weeks. The reason they’re so widespread is because what they lack in longevity, they make up for in reproduction rates. A single female mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs during her short lifetime. That’s why mosquito populations never seem to stop exploding.

Pollinators

When we think of pollinators, we usually think of bees, butterflies and wasps, but mosquitoes play an important role in pollination and the ecosystem overall. Both males and females feed on plant nectar for energy, and in doing so, they end up transferring pollen between flowers. While they’re far less efficient than some of the other pollinator insects, plants still rely on them. It’s one small job they do that can slightly make up for their other annoying behaviors.

Fast Flyers

While athleticism isn’t usually an attribute associated with mosquitoes, these insects are quite fast flyers. Mosquitoes can fly at speeds up to one and a half miles per hour, which is pretty quick for such a small creature. This speed allows them to cover surprising distances, generally up to 40 miles, in their search for food. They also beat their wings between 300 and 600 beats per second, which is what creates that irritating buzzing sound.

Among the Deadliest of Insects

Along with the more fun facts about mosquitoes come the more serious ones. Mosquitoes carry and transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus and Zika virus, all of which can be fatal. Collectively, these diseases impact millions of people around the world, and mosquitoes are among some of the main culprits. This is why they’re considered to be one of the deadliest insects.

Ancient Creatures

Fossil evidence suggests that mosquitoes have existed for millions of years. Yes, they’ve been an irritating, blood-sucking nuisance for that long. They’ve managed to survive mass extinctions, huge climate shifts, and the rise and fall of countless species throughout their surprisingly long history. Who knew they were so resilient?

Behavior Changes With the Weather

Mosquito behavior is highly influenced by weather conditions. As the temperatures and conditions outside shift, so does mosquito activity. Spring and summer tend to bring some of the most persistent infestations in people’s homes and yards. This is because their metabolism speeds up, causing them to search for food more aggressively, and their breeding accelerates. They also love humidity and moisture. Standing water and moisture from the rain create the ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which is why they become more abundant in people’s yards this time of year.

Mosquitoes are interesting creatures, and there are a lot of fascinating facts about them that most people don’t know. However, that doesn’t make them any less of a nuisance for homeowners. If you’re dealing with mosquitoes around your home, the Omaha mosquito control experts at Pro-Staff are here to help with reliable mosquito control services. We remove active mosquito infestations, as well as any attractants to prevent them from returning. Contact us today for a free inspection!