Mosquitoes and Disease

Mosquitoes usually are seen as a nuisance, but they can sometimes spread diseases to people and animals. These diseases can cause illness and even death. While your chances of being infected with a disease through a mosquito bite are very small, some diseases spread by mosquitoes have increased in recent years. Climate change continues to increase the risk of diseases spread by mosquitoes, especially for people who travel to areas where they are more common. There are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Preventing mosquito bites is the most important way to reduce your risk of getting a disease that is spread by mosquitoes.

Protect yourself:

  • Cover your skin as completely as possible when outside at sunrise, sunset, and early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active. Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks.
  • Use insect repellent on exposed skin and follow label directions and this information on using repellents safely. More information on choosing and safely using repellents is on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.
  • Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.

Reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and property:

Make sure there are screens in your home's windows and doors. Make sure the screens do not have rips, tears, or holes.

Eliminate all standing water on and around your home and property where mosquitoes can reproduce by taking these steps:

  • Throw out tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers.
  • Get rid of used tires. Call your local landfill or Department of Public Works to find out how to get rid of used tires properly.
  • Drill holes in the bottoms of outdoor recycling bins so they can completely drain.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters and make sure they drain properly.
  • Remove leaves and other yard waste from yards, gardens, and edges of pools.
  • Drain areas where water collects on the ground and fill with dirt or add landscaping.
  • Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
  • Change the water in birdbaths twice a week.
  • Clean and put chlorine in swimming pools, outdoor saunas, hot tubs, and water fountains.
  • Drain water from pool covers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Mosquitoes are small flying insects that feed on human and animal blood or plant juices.
  • Mosquitoes usually become infected by biting a person or animal that is infected. Only female mosquitoes bite to get a blood meal for their growing eggs. Infected mosquitoes can then spread diseases to other people or animals through bites.
  • Mosquitoes can spread infections that can cause illness and even death in people and some animals.
  • No. Most mosquitoes do not spread disease.
  • There are about 70 different kinds (species) of mosquitoes in New York State, but only certain kinds spread disease.
  • Mosquitoes lay their eggs in moist areas, such as standing water. The eggs become juvenile mosquitoes (larvae) that remain in the water until they mature into adults and fly off.
  • Weeds, tall grass, and shrubbery provide an outdoor home for adult mosquitoes. They also can enter houses, apartments, and buildings through windows and doors that do not have screens.
  • Many mosquitoes will reproduce in any container that holds water, such as flowerpots, wading pools, or discarded tires.
  • Some mosquitoes are active between dusk and dawn, when the air is calm. However, others will bite at any time of day.
  • Mosquitoes prefer a warm, moist environment. They are active from early summer until late fall in New York State.
  • People should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites whenever mosquitoes are active.
  • In southern states that have warm year-round weather, mosquitoes that can spread diseases are active throughout the year.
  • Local communities, in consultation with the Department of Health, may take various control measures, such as spraying insecticide, based on geographic location and assessed level of risk.
  • The risks and benefits of control methods must be carefully considered prior to taking such measures.

Statewide Mosquito-borne Disease Activity Report

More Information

Publications

If you have additional questions, contact your local health department or email the New York State Health Department at bcdc@health.ny.gov.