Where Do Mosquitoes Breed in Central Florida?

Most species of mosquitoes require a source of stagnant water to breed. Standing water can be found in a variety of areas outside your property. Common mosquito breeding areas include:

• Ponds, marches, and bogs
• Puddles
• Birdbaths or fountains
• Pools or spas
• Garden planters
• Children’s playsets
• Stacks of tires
• Buckets
• Clogged gutters/drains

Where Do Mosquitoes Lay Their Eggs?

In order to breed and lay eggs, mosquitoes need standing water. Most commonly, they seek out areas that have shallow stagnant water, but they also can utilize deep puddles. The female mosquito will lay anywhere from 100 to 300 eggs at a time. These eggs are submerged into the standing water. The raft of eggs can look like a speck floating in the water, only about ¼ inch long.

Can Mosquitoes Breed Without Water?

All mosquitoes use water to lay their eggs, as water is needed for the eggs to hatch. Some species will lay their eggs directly on the water, while others will lay their eggs nearby the source of standing water. While rare, eggs that are laid too far away from the water are able to survive for years before hatching. However, in general, mosquitoes need water to reproduce.

Common Mosquito Breeding Grounds in Central Florida

There are many areas around your home that can be susceptible to mosquito breeding. These insects are opportunistic and will utilize even the smallest source of stagnant water to lay their eggs. This makes it important to know how to prevent mosquitoes from using your yard as their breeding grounds each and every year. The professional mosquito exterminators at Heron Home & Outdoor can help locate potential breeding grounds near your home and eliminate them before mosquito season.