Those of us living in Singapore are well aware of the dangers of Dengue fever caused by Aedes mosquito bites. So what else do you need to know about the Aedes Mosquito? Here are some facts about them.

FEEDING HABITS

The female Aedes mosquito feeds on human blood at one to two hours intervals with peak activity during dawn and dusk. The mosquito generally attacks from below or behind, usually from underneath desks or chairs and mainly at the feet and ankles. So if you happen to be staying in a dengue cluster area, apply Moskito Guard repellent to these areas 8 hourly to better protect you and your family.

VIRUSES

The Aedes mosquito spreads viruses by biting on infected person and then passing it on to the next healthy individual it goes on to bite. Besides Dengue virus, the Aedes mosquito is also a vector for Chikungunya, Zika, Mayaro and Yellow fever viruses.

LIFECYCLE

The lifecycle of Aedes mosquitoes consists of four stages (egg, larva, pupa and adult), with adults emerging anywhere from seven days to several weeks after egg hatching, this means we have a maximum of 1 week to clear out any standing water we have around the home to prevent adult mosquitoes from emerging.

EGG LAYING

Only the female Aedes mosquito bites and it is the protein in blood that helps its eggs to develop. Aedes mosquitoes are adapted to breed around human dwellings and prefers to lay their eggs in clean standing water. The eggs can lie dormant in dry conditions for up to about nine months, after which they can hatch if exposed to favourable conditions. So it is important to clean out containers of water, throughly wash them with soap and turn them upside down to avoid water collection.