West Nile Virus
Prevalence: High
Risk 3/5
Northern House Mosquito
Culex pipiens · “The Common Pest”
Brown mosquito with banded legs. Common in temperate climates. Often enters homes at night. Prefers standing water with organic matter.
Disease risks
St. Louis Encephalitis
Prevalence: Moderate
Avian Malaria
Prevalence: Moderate
How to identify
- Size
- 4-6mm (small)
- Color
- Brown with darker markings
- Distinctive features
- Banded legs and abdomen; rounded abdomen when resting
- Resting posture
- Head-up posture (unlike Aedes)
- Prefers
- Humans and birds equally
- Pain level
- Low to moderate
- Persistence
- Moderate; less aggressive than Aedes
- Transmission
- Efficient vector for West Nile Virus; moderate for others
What actually works
Pyrethroid Spray Treatment
Professional-grade synthetic pyrethroid insecticide applied by licensed technicians. Fast-acting, EPA-approved, effective against adult mosquitoes.
Perimeter Barrier Spray
Professional application of insecticide around property perimeter. Creates a 'moat' of protection that kills mosquitoes attempting to enter treated areas.
Habitat Elimination (Source Control)
Removal and treatment of breeding sites. Professional inspection identifies and eliminates standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs.
Drain & Catch Basin Treatment
Professional treatment of storm drains and catch basins where Culex mosquitoes breed. Licensed technician application with long-lasting IGR.
ULV Mosquito Fogging
Ultra-Low Volume fogging using specialized equipment to create fine mist of insecticide. Covers large areas quickly; used for emergency mosquito swarms.
Cities where Northern House Mosquito is active
New York, New YorkLong Island, New YorkLos Angeles, CaliforniaChicago, IllinoisPhoenix, ArizonaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Jose, CaliforniaWestchester, New YorkColumbus, OhioCharlotte, North CarolinaIndianapolis, IndianaSan Francisco, CaliforniaHempstead, New YorkCobb County, GeorgiaNashville, TennesseeLas Vegas, NevadaMemphis, Tennessee
Fun fact
Culex pipiens are the primary vectors for West Nile Virus in North America, spreading the disease through bird populations and occasionally to humans.