Mosquitoes are infamous for their itchy bites and the diseases they can transmit. But there's a lot more to these pests than meets the eye. Get the facts about mosquitoes—from when they’re most active to how they find you.

By gaining an understanding of where they breed, the reasons why they bite, and the things that draw them in, you can better protect your family from these annoying creatures.

Find out what you need to know about mosquitoes, as well as some simple strategies for warding them off.

1. Only female mosquitoes bite

There are mosquitoes everywhere in the world. But not all thirst for your blood. When it comes to biting humans, only female mosquitoes do it because the protein in human blood is necessary for the development of their eggs.

2. Mosquitoes grow up fast

Mosquitoes of the species Aedes aegypti lay about 100 eggs at a time. These little bloodsuckers grow up quickly. It only takes 7–10 days for an Aedes mosquito to grow up from an egg to an adult.

How much blood a mosquito eats depends on its species and size. However, some female mosquitoes are capable of consuming their entire body weight in blood during a single feeding session.  

3. Mosquitoes do prefer to bite some people over others

Some people have a body chemistry that mosquitoes prefer over others, which may explain why you keep getting bitten over others. Mosquitoes are attracted to a person's body heat, smell, the carbon dioxide that people and animals breathe out, and lactic acid, which is found in sweat.

Mosquitoes have receptors and vision that are capable of finding their victims from as far as 50 meters away.

4. Mosquitoes are more active during dusk and dawn

In the early morning hours, before the sun has fully risen and the air temperature has reached its peak, mosquitoes are at their most active. Because the air is cooler. 

As a result, the most common places where mosquitoes seek shade and shade from the sun are woods, wetlands, and ponds. Mosquitoes become active again when the sun sets. Avoid these times if you plan to engage in physical activity (e.g., running, biking, hiking).

5. Mosquitoes can breed in tiny amounts of clear water

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water that is either still or stagnant, or in moist soil. They require very little water to do so. A teaspoon of water is all it takes for some mosquitoes to start breeding.

That much can be easily found in old tires, unattended buckets, holes in trees, plant saucers, or even a bottle cap. You can help protect your family from mosquitoes by removing areas of standing water near your home on a regular basis.

6. Color matters to mosquitoes

After a blood meal, female mosquitoes seek out dark places to rest and digest their food. So, they usually land on people who are wearing darker colors. Because these mosquitoes have already eaten, you should be safe from their bites. 

Hungry mosquitoes, on the other hand, use visual cues to find someone to snack on. Because of this, they may be more likely to attack people who are dressed in contrasting colors.