Flea, Tick & Pest Center

Although they have four life cycles, they move through each of them very rapidly.

While each stage has unique characteristics, they all lead to one end result: a bothersome, biting pest that can spread disease to you and your pets. Read on to understand what to look for in each life cycle and, most importantly, what to do to reduce the mosquito population and stay safe!

Stage 1 – The Eggs
Mosquitoes lay their eggs one at a time. They float on the surface of water and hatch into larvae within 48 hours.

Stage 2 – The Larvae
The larvae live in water but come to the surface to breathe. They shed their skin four times, growing after each molting.

Stage 3 – The Pupae
Pupae do not feed, but simply rest and grow to adult status, making this stage the naptime of mosquito development. When the process is complete after about two days, the skin splits and out comes an adult mosquito ready to take on the world – and bite you!

Stage 4 – The Adults
The newly emerged adult mosquito rests on the surface of the water for a short time. Once it dries and hardens, it is ready to fly. Good news to the mosquito, bad news for people and pets!