While Utah is a desert, our proximity to the Great Salt Lake and our extensive irrigation systems make Mosquitoes a major seasonal concern. They are more than just a nuisance; they are a public health priority.
The LookSmall, slender, long-legged flies. They are typically gray or brown, with scales covering their bodies and wing veins.
The MouthpartsOnly the females possess the needle-like proboscis used to pierce skin and draw blood.
The SpeciesUtah has several species, including the Aedes (day-biters) and the Culex (dusk/dawn-biters), the latter of which is the primary carrier of West Nile Virus.
Standing WaterEvery mosquito begins its life in water. A female can lay her eggs in something as small as a bottle cap, a clogged gutter, or a neglected birdbath.
Carbon Dioxide TrackingMosquitoes "smell" their prey from up to 100 feet away by detecting the $CO\_2$ we exhale. They are also attracted to body heat and certain chemicals in human sweat.
The "Wait and See"During the hottest part of a Utah summer day, mosquitoes rest in the shade of tall grass, under decks, or in dense shrubs, waiting for the cooler temperatures of dawn and dusk to feed.
Why do mosquitoes love me but ignore my friend?Factors like blood type (Type O is a favorite), pregnancy, and even the color of your clothing (dark colors are more visible) can make you a "mosquito magnet."
Does the Great Salt Lake create more mosquitoes?Actually, the salt levels in the lake are too high for most mosquitoes. However, the freshwater marshes and ponds surrounding the lake are massive breeding grounds for the "Salt Marsh Mosquito."
What is the best way to keep them out of my yard?The "Tip and Toss" method: Every week, tip over anything holding stagnant water. Without standing water, mosquitoes cannot complete their life cycle on your property.
