Asian Tiger Mosquito

What it does

Unlike many mosquitoes, the Asian tiger mosquito is a daytime biter, most active in the morning and late afternoon, and it bites aggressively and repeatedly. Only females feed on blood, needed for egg development, while males take nectar. It is a low, close-range flier that stays near where it emerged, making backyards its main hunting ground.

Where it lives

This species breeds in very small containers of standing water: flowerpot saucers, buckets, tarps, bottle caps, tires, tree holes, and clogged gutters. Adults rest in shaded vegetation nearby. Native to Asia, it is now established across much of the eastern, southern, and central US and continues to expand its range.

How it breeds

Females lay eggs just above the waterline in containers; the eggs can survive drying for months and hatch when reflooded. Larvae (wrigglers) and pupae (tumblers) develop in the water, and adults can emerge in as little as a week to ten days in warm weather, producing many overlapping generations each season.

What it eats

Adult females feed on the blood of people and animals to produce eggs, while males feed only on nectar and plant juices. The aquatic larvae filter tiny organic particles and microorganisms from the container water where they develop.

Identification

The Asian tiger mosquito is small, 2-10 mm, black with striking white banding on the legs and a single bright white stripe running down the center of the head and back. That single lengthwise stripe distinguishes it from the yellow fever mosquito, which has a curved, lyre-shaped pattern.

Signs of an infestation

• Aggressive mosquito bites during daylight hours
• Small striped mosquitoes near patios and gardens
• Wriggling larvae in flowerpot saucers or buckets
• Biting concentrated close to the ground and ankles
• Persistent backyard mosquitoes despite few visible puddles

Prevention tips

• Empty and scrub any container holding water weekly
• Dump saucers, buckets, tarps, tires, and toys after rain
• Keep gutters clear and clean so water cannot pool
• Treat water features you cannot drain with Bti dunks
• Use EPA-registered repellent and screens during the day

Professional solutions

For persistent yard infestations, professionals combine thorough source reduction with larvicides in standing water and targeted adulticide or barrier treatments on shaded resting sites. Because this mosquito breeds in tiny, easily overlooked containers, eliminating every water source is the most important and effective step, whether done yourself or by a service.