Q08 · Flying Insect
Mosquito
Culex / Aedes spp.
More than a nuisance — Australian mosquitoes spread Ross River, Barmah Forest and Japanese Encephalitis viruses.
- Size
- 3–6 mm
- Habitat
- Standing water — gutters, pot saucers, tanks
- Activity
- Spring to autumn, dusk/dawn
Safety Warning
If you develop fever, joint pain or rash after mosquito exposure, see a doctor — Ross River virus is common across Australia.
Overview
Only female mosquitoes bite — they need blood for egg production. The lifecycle from egg to adult takes as little as 7 days in warm weather, so any standing water becomes a breeding site within a week. Control focuses on eliminating breeding sites; spraying adults is a short-term fix.
How to identify
- Slender body with long legs and a piercing proboscis
- High-pitched whine in flight
- Itchy red welts on exposed skin
- Larvae ('wrigglers') visible in standing water
General guidance only. Information on Home Pest Defence is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. For termites, venomous spider bites, wasp nests in walls, or protected wildlife, contact a licensed pest controller, your GP, or the relevant state wildlife authority. In emergencies call 000; for poisoning call 13 11 26.