The tiger mosquito has become a primary pest species in many areas of Maryland where, before the arrival of the tiger, mosquito problems were slight. The intensely developed areas of Baltimore City, Glen Burnie, etc., provide little wetland habitat essential for most mosquito species to thrive. However, these urban areas are highly suited for the container breeding tiger mosquito. Breeding sites range from industrial yards with outdoor storage of tires and steel drums to upscale residential areas where outdoor statuaries and the pans beneath outdoor plants are common. Adult tiger mosquitoes are medium sized, black in color with distinctive white stripes.
Tiger mosquitoes are persistent, moderately aggressive biters.
They prefer to feed on the lower legs. The mosquito is very agile and can be difficult to kill with a casual slap. Young children playing outdoors during the early morning or late afternoon in shaded areas are particularly vulnerable to being bitten as they are often sitting or crawling on the ground and, being distracted by play, do not notice the mosquitoes. The bite of the tiger mosquito is not painful and often goes unnoticed. Interrupted feeding is common and a female mosquito may bite the same person several times or move from person to person before the urge to bloodfeed is satiated.