Latin: Culiseta annulata, Culex pipiens, Anopheles, i.a.
In Denmark there are about 30 different species of mosquitoes that can bite humans. Depending on the species, their way of life is different, and therefore the species are divided into groups: house mosquitoes, seagrass mosquitoes, forest mosquitoes and malaria mosquitoes. Read about the different groups below.
House mosquitoes
The house mosquitoes differ from other mosquito groups as they search indoors during the autumn to overwinter. They do not die but stays inside during winter. The best winter setting for this mosquito type is moist, cool, and undisturbed rooms, preferably just below attic, in shacks or in basements.
Several generations develop throughout the summer. The larvae are found in all types of water but the preferred water areas are artificial containers with contaminated water.
In the house mosquito group, there several species, where the most common is the large house mosquito and the small house mosquito. Large house mosquitoes are called Culiseta annulata in Latin. They are gray and have white rings on their legs. If you get a mosquito bite in the winter, it will typically be by a large house mosquito.
The small house mosquito is called in Latin Culex pipiens. They are brownish in their color, and they do not feed of human blood. This does however not mean, that the small house mosquito is not annoying because they are to be found in damp basements in large quantities where they stay during winter times. The large amounts can cause a fear of a mosquito plague but this fear is unsupported.
Seagrass mosquitoes
The seagrass mosquitoes consist of 4 to 5 species, which all are from the same Aedes genus. The way of life for a seagrass mosquitoe is that their larvae thrive in brackish water, are found along fjord shores, puddles, or on beach meadows.
This mosquito group plays a large part of the mosquito plague and within a single year they can have several generations. This means that the larvae not only occur during the spring, but also later in the year which is why the adult seagrass mosquitoes are also noticeable well into the autumn.
The adult seagrass mosquitoes spread up to 10 kilometers from where they are hatched. There are species within seagrass mosquitoe family that are able to hatch further inlands, this species does not need brackish water to thrive.
Forest mosquitoes
The forest mosquitoes are the biggest nuisance in the country. The larvae are laid in small puddles of water in bogs and forests – typically in ditches and puddles. With their mouthparts, the larvae brush fungi, algae, bacteria, and microscopic plants together. It typically takes a month for the larva to change skin into pupate.
The pupate breaths in the surface of the water. Within a week the pupate cracks and the fully grown forest mosquito emerges. It will now search for vegetation in the nearby surroundings of the puddle where it will stay passively for a few days.
Know it is time for some blood if the female mosquito should be able to lay eggs. After mating, the female mosquito will search for blood in animals or humans – especially in the early morning or at sunset. In areas with shade and shelter, the forest mosquitoes can also be very aggressive during the day.
During summer, the forest mosquito will die, which means that it is only the eggs that overwinter. The biting season begins in late May and will culminate in June. Afterwards the activity will cease in August.
Malaria mosquitoes
Malaria mosquitoes are also called Anopheles and are found in a few species in Denmark. Fortunately, the disease malaria is no longer transmitted in Denmark, and the malaria mosquito is not the cause of many mosquito bites. For this reason, it is not necessary to take special precautions for the malaria mosquito in this country.
Prevention and pest control
To controlling the mosquitoes and larvae with pesticides in open air, is not appropriated. And no pesticides are approved for this purpose in Denmark.
A possible option for reducing or controlling a mosquito infestation is extensive drainage, filling of puddles or local drainage. This method will lead to extreme changes in nature, which is why it is necessary to use other methods.
The Invasive mosquitoes like the house mosquitoes can be controlled with insect repellent. One can set op nets or similar fabric in front of windows, mosquito coils and smoking tablets are available for protection. These release insecticides for several hours, killing the present mosquitoes and deterring others. In Denmark, deterrent mosquito repellents can be bought at pharmacies. The products are available as sprays, sticks, conditioners, and lotions. It varies which mosquito repellent is the best. If the remedy is used carefully, the mosquitoes will stay away for two to four hours.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)