Understanding Mosquito Biology and Behavior
Only female mosquitoes bite; they need the protein from blood to develop their eggs. Males feed on plant nectar. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat, and certain chemicals in sweat. They can detect CO2 from up to 50 feet away, which is why they seem to find you instantly when you step outside. Their life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs can survive dry conditions for months, hatching when water covers them. In New Jersey, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an aggressive daytime biter, while Culex species are active at dusk and are the primary vectors of West Nile virus.
The Health Risks: West Nile Virus and Beyond
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in New Jersey, with cases reported every year. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 infected people develop flu-like symptoms, and 1 in 150 develop severe neurological illness, which can be fatal. In 2023, New Jersey reported 12 human cases and 3 deaths. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is rarer but more deadly, with a 30% mortality rate. Jamestown Canyon virus is also present. Pets are not immune: heartworm disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, is a serious threat to dogs and cats. Prevention is the best defense, as there are no vaccines for most mosquito-borne diseases in humans.
Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) Approach
Professional mosquito control companies use Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM), which combines surveillance, source reduction, larviciding, and adulticiding. The first step is identifying breeding sites through a property inspection. Source reduction—removing standing water—is the most effective and eco-friendly method. Larvicides target larvae before they become flying adults, using bacteria like Bti or insect growth regulators. Adulticides are used only when necessary, applied as barrier sprays to vegetation. This approach minimizes chemical use while maximizing control. In New Jersey, many companies also offer tick control as an add-on, as ticks are another pest prevalent in wooded areas.
What surveys and cost guides say about mosquito problems
The statements below are tied to named surveys, studies and published cost guides, and each one says what it does and does not prove. They describe patterns across many households, which is useful context, not a diagnosis of any one property. About 32% of homeowners worried that a family member could contract West Nile virus from mosquitoes in their yard, according to NaturaLawn of America's March 2024 SurveyMonkey poll of 1,163 U.S. homeowners, a provider-sponsored, self-reported survey that captures concern rather than actual disease risk. In the 2016 survey TNS Global ran for Mosquito Squad, 17% of U.S. homeowners called themselves somewhat likely to hire mosquito professionals, on top of 7% very likely; the company-sponsored poll measured intentions, not bookings, and did not report its sample size. In Pest Management Professional (PMP) magazine's February 2025 mosquito management survey, covering 2024 operations, 28% of responding providers reported zero callbacks for retreatment, a professional-side figure from an undisclosed sample rather than a measure of customer outcomes. About 71% of homeowners said they had avoided or left an outdoor event because of insects, according to NaturaLawn of America's March 2024 SurveyMonkey poll of 1,163 U.S. homeowners, a provider-sponsored, self-reported survey; the figure covers insects generally, not any species' infestation rate. Sixty-four percent of the U.S. homeowners who tried DIY pest control in HomeTeam Pest Defense's March 2022 online survey said the problem was not fully resolved, a self-reported outcome from a survey sponsored by a pest-control company with an undisclosed sample size. Because every figure above has a stated population and date, you can cite it when comparing providers. What none of them can tell you is what your specific property needs; that still takes an on-site inspection.