West Nile Virus
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Protect Yourself |
| British Columbia
is home to over 50 species of mosquitoes, all having different characteristics
and habits. Larval and adult stage mosquito species can be identified
by Morrow’s trained personnel, by examination of the specimen
features under a microscope. Mosquito identification is important
as only certain species are a factor in annoyance or disease transmission
and the habits of the particular species allow control measures to
be targeted when they are deemed necessary. All mosquitoes go through four distinct stages of development during their life: egg, larvae, pupa and adult.  Eggs are laid on or near standing water or in areas that are prone to periodic flooding. The eggs of some species can remain dormant in or on the soil for many years before hatching when submerged in water. Eggs typically hatch into larvae during spring and summer and then begin feeding on organic matter. The larvae pass through four stages of growth or instars before developing into pupae. The pupae then mature into adult mosquitoes, which emerge from the surface of the water. The total time between hatching as eggs and emergence as adults typically takes one to two weeks, depending on the species and environmental factors such as water temperature and food availability. |
 Reduce the chance that you and your family will be bitten by mosquitoes by following these tips:
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