Mosquito larvae are much more than a source of annoying mosquitoes. The summertime pests obscure countless species of mosquito larvae, which are an invaluable food source for aquatic animals and birds. This guide explains the differences between black, white and red mosquito larvae with lots of tips and tricks. You can find out here how to fight mosquito larvae in the water or breed them as fish food.

Mosquito larvae love stagnant water

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Red mosquito larvae portrait
  3. Distinguish by color
  4. mosquito larvae in the pool
  5. Breed mosquito larvae yourself
  6. fight mosquito larvae
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. the essentials in brief

    • Mosquito larvae go through four stages of development and live predominantly in water.
    • Massive abundance makes mosquito larvae an important part of the food chain, primarily for fish and birds.
    • Red, white and black mosquito larvae serve as fish food in the pond and aquarium or are the target of control measures in the garden and apartment.

    Portrait of red mosquito larvae - natural treasures and food source

    Red mosquito larvae are masters of adaptation, clever survivors and mostly live in water. The filigree, slender larvae are rich in important nutrients and live in huge swarms. These attributes make bloodworms valuable natural resources and an inexhaustible source of food for fish. Red mosquito larvae hatch into midges with a lifespan of a few days. Unlike some conspecifics, midges do not bite or suck blood. The following portrait summarizes important information about red mosquito larvae:

    Appearance and Habitat - Wanted Poster

    Red mosquito larvae are the offspring of midges, which gather in huge swarms for the mating dance. Following mid-air copulation, females shed numerous eggs over a water surface or attach small egg packets to the shore. The insects don't have much time to start a family, because dancing gnats only live as imagos for a few days. Red mosquito larvae hatch from the eggs. The following profile sums up important identification features and preferred habitats:

    • Body shape: slender, worm-shaped with head capsule and prominent mouthparts
    • Composition: 3 thoracic segments with 1 pair of stub feet in front, 9 abdominal segments with sliders
    • Colour: red (use of hemoglobin for oxygen supply)
    • Movement rhythm: meandering
    • Main habitats: Standing and flowing waters with fresh or salt water, less often bank substrates
    • Diet: Algae and suspended matter, floating leaves, empty larval shells
    • Thermal resistance: heat-resistant up to 51° Celsius and frost-resistant

    The vast majority of the 570 midge species known in Central Europe practice a clever survival strategy in the larval stage. Red mosquito larvae live in self-made tubes to protect themselves from predators. Protected by these webs, the caterpillars complete four larval stages before they pupate for a few days, hatch as fully-fledged midges and take to the air, light as a feather, for the wedding dance.

    Life purpose and uses

    Red bloodworms are a treat for fish

    Red mosquito larvae are a coveted treat for fish. A wide range of species ensures replenishment at any time of the year. There are early spring species (March/April), spring species (April/May), summer species (June/July) and autumn species (September/October). The main hatching time is in summer, when mosquito larvae are most urgently needed as a food source anyway. The larvae often attach themselves to the surface of the water with their tubes, making them easy prey. Not only amphibians use the rich food source, but also native birds and migratory birds.

    Owners of fish ponds, aquariums and terrariums have not lost sight of the benefits of midge larvae. For this reason, red mosquito larvae can be bought dried or as frozen food in most specialist shops and on the Internet.

    tips

    Experienced anglers know that when red bait is dangling from the fishing rod, curious and hungry fish are not far away. Dried, red mosquito larvae are perfectly suited and give hay fishermen and competition anglers the best catch quotas.

    Distinguish mosquito larvae by color

    In the realm of mosquitoes, joy and sorrow lie side by side. Mosquitoes in particular make life hell for us indoors and outdoors when the beasts are after our blood. Good to know that the color of mosquito larvae reveals which mosquito species will hatch after pupation. The following table explains the differences:

    Surname larvae of Stinging type yes/no habitat Suitable as
    Red mosquito larvae midges no water and earth Fish food, reptile food, bait
    White mosquito larvae tufted midges no water Fish food, reptile food, bait
    Black mosquito larvae mosquitoes Yes water Fish food, reptile food, bait

    The portrait above sheds light on the high regard for bloodworms in detail. Black mosquito larvae, on the other hand, cause ambivalent feelings in people because they turn into the hated mosquitoes. Of course, that doesn't matter to the fish in the pond or aquarium, because they like the larvae regardless of their species. White mosquito larvae represent the minority of native species and are less common in the wild than red and black larvae.

    Mosquito larvae in the pool - what to do?

    Visually, mosquito larvae have little in common with mosquitoes

    A pool magically attracts female mosquitoes to use the inviting surface of the water as a place to deposit their eggs. Within a short time, the pool is swarming with mosquito larvae, which spoil the joy of swimming. Without countermeasures, armies of mosquitoes hatch and hunt for human blood donors. You can put a stop to this brazen activity by fighting mosquito larvae in the pool. The following methods have proven themselves in practice:

    • Remove mosquito larvae with a pool vacuum
    • Alternatively, destroy mosquito larvae with a filter pump, ideally a sand filter system
    • Home remedies to kill mosquito larvae: Add dish soap to the pool water

    As a preventative measure, we recommend covering the water with a pool tarpaulin after each swim. More attractive for the appearance of the pool and just as effective in prevention is the installation of water features. Mosquito larvae have little chance of surviving when the water surface is constantly moving. In addition, we recommend keeping an eye on pool chemistry. You should primarily check the pH value regularly. Scores below 7.2 and above 7.6 are regulated with appropriate pooled products.

    digression

    Destroy mosquito larvae in the rain barrel

    The rain barrel is one of the most dangerous breeding grounds for a mosquito plague in the garden. Female mosquitoes interpret stagnant water as a welcome invitation to deposit countless egg packets on the surface. A carpet of mosquito larvae announces the impending mosquito invasion. By breaking the surface tension of the water, you permanently destroy mosquito larvae. Reaching for chemicals is taboo if you want to water your vegetable plants with water from the rain barrel without hesitation. As a household remedy, a few drops of washing-up liquid are enough to end the swarm of mosquito larvae in the water barrel.

    Breed mosquito larvae yourself - how does it work?

    Financial considerations are not the focus when fish pond owners or aquarists decide to breed mosquito larvae themselves. You can buy red mosquito larvae dried or as frozen food at a reasonable price. The most important motive for breeding is the controlled framework conditions from which mosquito larvae emerge. Purchased mosquito larvae always harbor the risk of being contaminated with parasites or pollutants. We looked over the shoulders of experienced aquarists and found the following options for breeding mosquito larvae:

    • Fill the vat or tub with water and set it up outside so that female mosquitoes can lay their eggs
    • Check out rain barrels from friends, skim off floating mosquito larvae, put them out in a water barrel at home
    • Collect mosquito eggs on water yourself, let them grow into mosquito larvae in the water bucket
    • Important: Cover the container with an insect net or old silk stockings so that it cannot escape

    All options involve a lot of effort and various risks. Red mosquito larvae often protect themselves with self-spun tubes until they hatch as flying midges. In order to get to the larvae as live food for fish, the tiny quiver must first be removed with a great deal of sensitivity. Simply collecting mosquito eggs and mosquito larvae on foreign bodies of water without the permission of the owner can have legal repercussions.

    Combat mosquito larvae - tips & tricks

    Objects in which water is standing should be removed

    In water-rich regions, cities and municipalities bring out the heavy artillery to fight mosquito larvae before they turn into biting nuisances. Along the Rhine, the association "Municipal action group to combat the mosquito plague" alone invests around four million euros every year to destroy up to two trillion mosquito larvae. The target is black mosquito larvae, which mutate into the dreaded mosquitoes. Hobby gardeners can benefit from the accumulated experience of the experts to effectively combat pests both indoors and outdoors. We have put together some practical tips and tricks for you below:

    Fight mosquito larvae outside

    A proven remedy for fighting mosquito larvae comes from the bacterial kingdom. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis was discovered in the mid 1970's for the biological extermination of larval stage mosquitoes. It is a subspecies of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and has been used as a biocide ever since. Within a short period of time, the bacteria can kill mosquito larvae in the water without harming other animals or the environment. Neudorff Mosquito-Free is one of the top products on the market with this active ingredient and is approved for use in home gardens and allotments. How to use the remedy competently:

    1. Buy biocide in tablet form
    2. Use of rain barrel: crush 1 tablet per 50 liters and stir in with a wooden stick
    3. Use in the pond: add 1 crushed tablet per 1000 liters to the pond water
    4. Repeat control every 4 weeks

    Mosquito larvae in the rain barrel can be avoided in various ways

    You can use a bubble effect to check whether the agent is doing its job. In a water barrel, all mosquito larvae are destroyed within 2 to 3 hours. The duration of the effect in the pond depends on the water volume. Since Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis is a very specific remedy, other aquatic life such as fish, frogs or toads are not affected. The disadvantage is that the bacteria not only kill black mosquito larvae, but also harmless white and red mosquito larvae.

    Destroy mosquito larvae indoors

    In living areas, combating mosquito larvae focuses primarily on preventive measures. Avoid potential breeding grounds. How to do it right:

    • do not leave open liquids lying around
    • Dump out, clean and refill the drinking bowl of dogs and cats every day
    • Remove water from trivets no later than 10 minutes after watering
    • Do not put a filled, open glass of water on the bedside table
    • Always put away wet bath and kitchen sponges

    Don't underestimate the wet sink in the bathroom and kitchen as a potential breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Pour a good torrent of boiling hot water into the opening every day, thwart the female mosquitoes. In addition, we recommend regularly scrubbing all drain openings in the house thoroughly with a brush and vinegar water.

    frequently asked Questions

    How long do mosquito larvae take to hatch?

    Mosquito larvae go through four stages of development up to pupation. Depending on the species and habitat, this period can range from a few weeks to several months. Mosquitoes therefore spend most of their lives as larvae. The pupal stage lasts only a few days, with hatching occurring within a few seconds even for red bloodworms and a few minutes for black bloodworms.

    What helps against mosquito larvae in the pool?

    Buy a pool vacuum with a telescopic pole. With this device you simply suck mosquito larvae off the water surface. If this method is too time-consuming for you, install a sand filter system to remove mosquito larvae from the pool. It is cheaper to use washing-up liquid that you drip onto the surface of the water. This breaks the surface tension and the mosquito larvae sink. This procedure has the advantage that you primarily kill black mosquito larvae of mosquitoes. Red mosquito larvae, on the other hand, breathe through the skin and are spared.

    I want to breed mosquito larvae as live fish food. What do mosquito larvae actually eat?

    Mosquito larvae have very different lifestyles. Most species live in the fresh or salt range and adjust their diet accordingly. The menu mostly consists of waste products from the water and tiny algae. Some mosquito larvae species settle on aquatic plants to nibble on the floating leaves. There are also predatory species that feed on other insect larvae. White mosquito larvae, for example, like to hunt water fleas. If you breed mosquito larvae yourself, the diet plan depends on the species.

    Red mosquito larvae are suitable for which fish?

    Whether you feed red bloodworms in the pond or aquarium depends on the composition of the fish. Familiarize yourself in advance with the profile of every species of ornamental fish that frolics in the water. Many freshwater and saltwater fish like to eat red bloodworms and can tolerate this diet well. These include stickleback, carp and goldfish. On the other hand, eating it causes digestive problems for some fish, such as the exotic cichlids.

    tips

    Have cunning black mosquito larvae escaped your attention and are now swarming around as brazen mosquitoes? Then use home remedies to make an effective mosquito trap. In a small bowl, fill 200 ml of water, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 drop of washing-up liquid. Cover the bowl tightly with cling film, which you prick with a thin sewing needle. Mosquitoes greedily squeeze through the perforated foil. When trying to nibble on the liquid, the pests sink helplessly.

Category:

Animals in the garden