Depending on the species mosquitos can grow to 4 to 6 mm long. Only the females bite and suck blood, which they need to produce the eggs. The males do not bite.

Usually the mosquito larvae grow in stagnant (dirty) and shallow water. Moisture and heat speed up the developing cycle of the larvae.

Mosquitos are mostly active in the time between dusk and dawn - on warm humid days in the afternoon as well. In the daytime they usually hide in moist shady places such as hedges and woodland, or in houses. They are responsible for transmitting the commonest infectious diseases throughout the world.

Tropical and sub-tropical mosquito species such as Aedes, Anopheles and Culex are carriers of dangerous diseases such as yellow or dengue fever (Aedes), malaria, virus encephalitis, filariasis (Anopheles), meningitis and filaria (threadworm) diseases (Culex).

Preventive measures and control

• Avoid stagnant water in and around your house
• Use a mosquito net during the night, and mosquito or fly gauze in windows and doors
• Use insecticides (Flying Insect Spray, Insect Strip, electric vaporiser, mosquito coils)
• Use mosquito repellents on your skin
• What helps after the bite? - Autan After-Insect-Bites