Mosquitoes are not normally responsible for significant plant damage, but the annoyance and discomfort caused to warm-blooded animals, namely people, and the chance of spreading diseases, make the mosquito one of the most bothersome pests we encounter each spring and summer. 

There are approximately 60 different species of mosquitoes that are known to be present in our area. 
The genera: Aedes, Anopheles, Culex and Culiseta attack warm-blooded animals. The life cycle is similar for all four genera except for overwintering and egg-laying behaviour. The Aedes species  lay dormant over winter as eggs deposited around bodies of water or in soil depressions subject to flooding. The Culex, Culiseta and Anopheles species overwinter as mated females.  

Female mosquitoes require a blood meal in order to produce eggs. As the female pierces the skin of warm-blooded animals and feeds on the blood, she injects saliva into the victim. The irritation that occurs after a mosquito bites is due to this saliva. The female may travel from one victim to the next extracting blood and injecting saliva which has the potential to transmit disease-producing organisms from one host to another. The male does not feed on blood but instead, feeds on the nectar of flowers, fruit juices and water.  

Life Cycle: 

Mosquitoes require stagnant water in order to hatch and develop. All species pass through 4 distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. A single female may lay anywhere from 100-250 eggs per batch and can repeat the blood-meal, egg-laying cycle 3 or more times before dying. The eggs hatch into larva or "wrigglers" that feed on tiny plants and animals present in water. When the larvae are fully grown, they transform into pupae which do not feed, but will still move actively in the water. When the adult is ready to emerge, the pupa floats to the surface and the skin splits down the back allowing the newly developed adult to emerge. The adult then leaves the body of water, in search of vegetation or moist shady places.  

Control: 

The main factors to be considered in controlling mosquitoes are prevention and personal protection. Personal protection involves reducing your exposure to the blood sucking females. This can be achieved by:  

• Limiting outdoor activity during periods when the mosquito is most active. One hour before and after sunrise or sunset are the times when the mosquito is most active.
• Wearing light coloured loose fitting clothing will help prevent bites from occurring. 
• There are, also, mosquito netting and insect repellent. Repellents with a high percentage of the chemical DEET are the most effective. 
• It also is a good idea to insure window screens are in good repair and doors and windows fit properly to reduce the chance of mosquitoes invading the house. 

The best offense is a good defense: 

Prevention is the second factor to be considered when attempting to reduce mosquito populations. To prevent mosquito egg-laying and development:  

• Remove any pockets of standing water, both, in the home and around the yard. A small amount of stagnant water left undisturbed for 5-7 days can potentially serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 
• Remove any containers like pails, tin cans, or old tires; anything that will hold water. 
• Water barrels and other such containers that cannot be removed should be covered with a tight fitting lids.
• Bird baths, fish ponds and water fountains should be kept clean and free of vegetation to prevent the water from becoming stagnant. 

Chemicals such as chlorpyrifos, methoxychlor, malathion, carbaryl and pyrethrins offer control of the larva. The growth regulator methoprene (Altosid TM.) is also effective in controlling the larva. 

Chemical control of the adult is usually not considered feasible since the adult can fly in or blow into any site in which they feel comfortable.  

The Citrosa plant or Pelargonium citrosum, a type of scented geranium gained great popularity a few years ago due to a claim of mosquito repelling properties merely by its presence. However, researchers  have found that the geraniums ability to fend off mosquitoes is unremarkable.  This research,  found the Citrosa offered no insect repelling properties through vapour action, but if a leaf was rubbed directly on the skin surface some repellent activity was present.