Frequently Asked Questions

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Question Answer 
Why do mosquitoes bite humans? Only female mosquitoes feed on humans to acquire the protein in our blood that is needed for their egg development. Males solely feed on plant nectar and are pollinators.
Do all mosquitoes feed on humans? No, not all mosquitoes feed on humans. Many actually have specific preferences for their bloodmeals. Some prefer to feed on humans, while some prefer livestock or other mammals. There are even some mosquitoes that are known to feed on earthworms and others that follow the sound of frog calls to feed on frogs.
How do mosquitoes spread disease? Mosquitoes can pick up viruses when feeding on an infected host and can later spread the virus when feeding on another host.
Which mosquitoes transmit West Nile Virus? There are only a few species of mosquitoes that successfully transmit West Nile virus in the Tarrant County region. TCVC currently tests Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex restuans, Culex tarsalis and Culex nigripalpus for the presence of West Nile Virus.
How can I protect myself from mosquito-borne disease? Although the chance of being bitten by a mosquito that is carrying a disease is low, the best way to protect yourself from contracting a mosquito-borne illness is to try to prevent from being bitten. When outdoors, TCVC suggests using mosquito repellant, wearing long sleeves and pants, and using fans to prevent the mosquitoes from being able to reach you.
How far can mosquitoes fly? It depends on the species. Certain saltmarsh mosquitoes have been noted to fly over 100 miles carried through high winds, while some species stay only a few hundred feet from their breeding sites. Most fly up to 10 miles to retrieve a bloodmeal.
How long do mosquitoes live? Again, it depends on the species of mosquito. Most female mosquitoes live two to three weeks, while others can survive by “overwintering” in protected areas throughout the colder months.
How many species of mosquitoes are there? There are roughly 45 species throughout the Tarrant County area, 85 in Texas, 185 in the USA, and an estimated 3,500 species of mosquitoes throughout the world.
Why can’t we just kill all the mosquitoes? Mosquitoes are one of the bases of the food chain. They provide a large amount of energy that gets moved from the aquatic ecosystem into the terrestrial ecosystem and that energy continues to move up throughout the food chain. This is why we aim to reduce the population of disease-carrying mosquitoes.
How is Tarrant County helping prevent the spread of arboviruses? We conduct county-wide mosquito surveillance year-round. This includes testing mosquitoes for arboviruses and controlling both adult and larval mosquitoes to decrease the risk of illness.
How can I find out if mosquito spraying is happening in my neighborhood? You can check our social media or visit our ground spraying webpage to see if there is any planned mosquito spraying in your area.