Children's Activities

Mosquitoes are aquatic insects with a head, thorax, abdomen, two wings, and six legs. They are called aquatic because they lay their eggs and grow up in water. The only time mosquitoes do not live in water is during the adult stage of the life cycle. The adult mosquitoes are the ones that cause problems because they are the ones that can bite us!

Actually, only female mosquitoes bite. Both male and female adults feed on plant nectar, but the female also needs protein in blood to develop her eggs. The mosquito uses her antennae to track down carbon dioxide that is exhaled when we breathe. When she finds a victim, the mosquito pokes her proboscis (or mouth) under the skin and injects her own saliva to keep the blood from clotting. Once the blood is flowing, she starts to drink. Mosquito bites itch because we are allergic to the mosquito�s saliva.

Common Places Where Mosquitoes Grow

Many species of mosquitoes lay their eggs in containers of standing water, such as a bucket or wading pool. You can reduce the risk of mosquito bites and disease by getting rid of standing water around your home. If you can reduce the amount of larvae, there won�t be as many mosquitoes to grow up and bite you!

Listed below are some places you might find mosquito larvae in your own yard. With a parent, look for each item on the list and check to see if it contains water. If so, dump out the water once a week so that mosquitoes cannot grow there. Clean out and refill birdbaths and pet water dishes with fresh water.

Did you know mosquito bites can make you sick?

Some mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile virus. Very few mosquitoes carry it, but children (and adults!) can get sick if bitten by one that does. To protect yourself you should use bug spray, wear light colored loose fitting clothing to cover your skin, and stay inside when mosquitoes are most active. When using bug spray always:

• Have an adult apply it
• Spray on top of clothes and on exposed skin
• Don�t wear it under clothes
• Wash it off before bed

Mosquito Word Search

Click here to download the Mosquito Word Search

Interesting Facts about Mosquitoes

• Some mosquitoes can grow to adulthood in as little as a tablespoon of water.
• A mosquito can go from egg to adult in 1 week.
• Mosquitoes can live in our attic or basement over the winter until spring.
• Most mosquitoes don�t bite humans- they prefer birds, amphibians, or other mammals.
• Only female mosquitoes bite- they need blood to provide them with enough protein to produce eggs.
• Both male mosquitoes and female mosquitoes feed on nectar for energy.

For other mosquito-related activities, visit these additional Web sites:

Center for Disease Protection - Neato Mosquito: An Elementary Curriculum Guide

US Environmental Protection Agency - Pest Patrol

Virginia Beach Mosquito Control � - JoJo Mosquito

American Mosquito Control Association � The Summer the Town Bit Back