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Common Mosquitoes
The following is a short list of the most common mosquitoes that cause problems on a regular basis in West Baton Rouge Parish. This by no means includes all of the species that are present here in West Baton Rouge, just the most common species we deal with on a daily basis and that you are most likely to find around your home. There are 3000 different species of mosquitoes worldwide, 68 of those species are found in Louisiana. The danger of mosquitoes is their ability to carry and spread disease.
Abbreviations
Throughout this website you will often see abbreviated references to specific diseases such as:
- California Encephalitis (CE)
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
- St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE)
- West Nile Virus (WNV)
Additional Mosquito Borne Diseases
Other important mosquito-borne diseases include Malaria, Yellow fever, Dengue, and Dog Heartworm.
Learn More
For complete information on each disease please check out our section on mosquito borne diseases or visit the American Mosquito Control Association's article on Mosquito-Borne Diseases.
- Asian Tiger Mosquito
- Southern House Mosquito
- Woodland Mosquito
- Dark Rice Field Mosquito
- Malaria Mosquito
- Floodwater Mosquito
Asian Tiger Mosquito
Aedes Albopictus better known as the "Asian Tiger Mosquito" has become increasingly common in West Baton Rouge, mostly around the home. Most of the time when people call in and say they are getting bit by these "tiny black and white striped mosquitoes" this is the species to blame. Aedes Albopictus primarily is a container breeder, which means you'll find it in things like:
- Abandoned Fish Ponds
- Bird Baths
- Buckets
- Cans
- Clogged Gutters
- Kid's Toys
- Pet Dishes
- Tires
- Wheelbarrows
Flight Range
The "Tiger Mosquito" has a very short flight range (less than several hundred feet) which means if your having a problem with these mosquitoes they are breeding around your home or a neighbors house nearby. This mosquito is a potential vector of West Nile Virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Zika Virus. Aedes Albopictus also is a capable vector of Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, and Dog Heart Worm.
Control
You the public can play a major role in the control of this mosquito, probably more so than with any other species. By making sure that:
- All containers around the home are emptied
- Bird baths are flushed at least once a week
- Fish ponds are populated or have a operational fountain
- Gutters kept clean
- Old tires should be properly disposed of
Southern House Mosquito
Culex Quinquefasciatus better known as the "Southern House Mosquito" is very common in WBR. This mosquito's habitat of choice is water with high amounts of organic matter, such as roadside ditches, sewage oxidation ponds, and above ground sewer treatment plants. Culex Quinquefasciatus is the primary vector of West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and dog heartworm in Louisiana, because of this the bulk of our surveillance and spray programs are targeted towards the control of this species.
Pesticides & Mosquitoes
When we are out Ultra Low Volume spraying at night or spraying larvicide into roadside ditches during the day this is usually the species we are targeting. It is known as the "Southern House Mosquito" because of it's habit of coming into homes at night especially in areas of poor housing, where things like broken screens and poor sealing around window air units allow this species an entrance into the home.
Woodland Mosquito
Psorophora Ferox better known as the "Woodland Mosquito" is very common in the wooded areas of West Baton Rouge Parish. This mosquito is very recognizable with it's white tipped legs and brilliant blue-purple scales. This mosquito can be real pest for homeowners who build on partially cleared woodland lots, and also for hunters who venture into the wooded areas of West Baton Rouge. It is considered to be a potential vector of West Nile Virus but not nearly as efficient as some species in West Baton Rouge.
Increasing Numbers
During times of extreme flooding (hurricanes) the numbers of this species can increase to the point where they begin to leave the wooded areas of the parish and move into the surrounding populated areas.
Dark Rice Field Mosquito
Psorophora Columbiae also known as the "Dark Rice Field Mosquito" is common in West Baton Rouge Parish, especially after periods of heavy rain and flooding. The females of this large dark species are fierce biters, attacking anytime day or night. In cases of extreme numbers they can kill livestock and make it virtually impossible for people to be outdoors.
Psorophora Columbiae is a potential vector of West Nile Virus and a efficient vector of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis.
Malaria Mosquito
Anopheles Quadrimaculatus better known as the "Malaria Mosquito" is fairly common in West Baton Rouge Parish. This species is the principal vector of Malaria east of the Rocky Mountains. It is also a vector of West Nile Virus and dog heart-worm. This mosquito's habitats of choice include swamps and marshes, lake margins, rice fields, and slow moving streams. Anopheles Quadrimaculatus is a large brown colored species with dark spots on each wing.
Floodwater Mosquito
Aedes Vexans also know as the "Floodwater Mosquito" is very common in West Baton Rouge Parish especially after periods of heavy rain and flooding. This species will breed in very high numbers and has a flight range of 5 to 10 miles, with a favorable wind they can even travel 20 to 40 miles.
Truck Spraying
It is because of this that we often get calls from citizens after a night of Ultra Low Volume truck spraying claiming that mosquito populations are worse then they were previous to spraying. In this case a fresh wave of mosquitoes could have come in from anywhere 5 to 40 miles away (such as the swampy areas on Rosedale Road) and replaced the mosquito population that was killed the previous night. This species is known to cause a painful bite and is a potential vector of:
- California Encephalitis
- Dog heart-worm
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis
- West Nile Virus