They occur in all kinds of standing water such as ditches, woodland pools, and unkept birdbaths. The larvae feed on algae and organic material. Only female mosquitoes need a blood meal, which they require to develop their eggs. The males, as well as females feed on nectar for their food source. During its life, a mosquito may take two or three blood meals and develop several hundred eggs each time.
Mosquitoes live four to eight weeks.
All female mosquitoes lay eggs in or around water. After being flooded with water, the eggs hatch into larvae and take about seven days to develop into adults. At the water surface, the larva changes to a pupa before emerging as an adult mosquito. You are probably most familiar with the mosquitoes you see when you are outside, particularly if you go into tall grassy areas or heavily vegetated areas. Mosquitoes also prefer being active on days that are calm and humid.