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Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Blood-fed Mosquito
Mosquitoes are small, blood-sucking insects.

Sometimes mosquitoes carry germs like viruses that can spread to a person when a mosquito bites. After feeding on blood, a female mosquito will lay eggs on or near water. The young stages of a mosquito grow in standing water.  

The best way to prevent diseases that are spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself from mosquito bites: use mosquito repellent on clothes and exposed skin when going outdoors (especially at dawn and dusk), and wear long sleeves and pants for extra protection. You can also keep mosquitoes from breeding and biting by draining standing water around your home. 

Mosquitoes & Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Mosquito Surveillance and Control Information

Annual Risk of Mosquito Bites and Disease Transmission in California

Graph of Mosquito Bite Risk in California

click to download (PDF)

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