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Yellow Fever Mosquito (Aedes aegypti)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
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What Is the Yellow Fever Mosquito?
The yellow fever mosquito lives close to people. It breeds in small amounts of standing water around homes and prefers biting humans. In South Florida it's one of the most important mosquitoes around houses and neighborhoods, which is why local mosquito control districts focus on it.
How to Identify Them
Look for a small, dark mosquito with bright white bands on the legs and a white, lyre-shaped mark on the back of the thorax. It bites during daylight, especially early morning and late afternoon, and often targets ankles and legs.
Common look-alikes:
- Asian tiger mosquito: also black and white, but with a single white stripe down the center of the thorax. See our Asian tiger mosquito page.
- Southern house mosquito: brownish, bites mostly at night.
Life Cycle and Habits
Females lay eggs just above the waterline on the inside of containers. Those eggs can survive drying out and hatch when rain refills the container. Larvae and pupae develop in the water, and in warm weather the whole cycle from egg to adult can happen in about a week. Adults usually stay close to where they hatched, so the breeding sites are often in your own yard or a neighbor's.
Signs of a Problem
- Mosquito bites during the day, especially around ankles
- Mosquitoes hiding in shady spots under patio furniture or in lanais
- Larvae ("wigglers") in buckets, plant saucers or pet bowls
- Mosquitoes indoors near doors and garages
Is it dangerous?
- Bites
- Disease risk
Bites during the day; can spread viruses such as dengue and Zika.
Why They Show Up in South Florida Yards
Our frequent rain, heat and container-rich yards are ideal. Bromeliads, clogged gutters, tarps, kids' toys, plant saucers, boats and tires can all hold enough water. Even a bottle cap of water can be enough for some larvae.
Breeding-Site Checklist
- Dump and scrub containers weekly, including plant saucers and pet bowls.
- Flush bromeliads with a hose regularly.
- Clean gutters and fix low spots that hold water.
- Cover or store tarps, boats and toys so they don't collect rain.
- Keep pool water circulated and covers drained.
How Pro-Spray Treats Yellow Fever Mosquitoes
We treat yards with a backpack fogger, targeting the shady vegetation, under decks and lanai edges where adults rest. We also look for breeding sites and treat or reduce standing water where we can. Monthly service is recommended, especially during rainy season.
Bromeliads, Pools and Lanais
Bromeliads are one of the biggest container-breeding sources in South Florida yards. Water collects in the center cup and between leaves, and mosquito larvae develop there unseen. Flushing them with a hose once a week, or choosing fewer bromeliads close to doors and seating areas, makes a real difference. Lanais and screened pool enclosures can also trap mosquitoes inside if screens are torn or doors are propped open.
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+ FREE inspection
Then stay protected with our $125 quarterly pest control plan, about $42/month.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do mosquitoes bite during the day?
When is mosquito season in South Florida?
Can I get sick from mosquito bites?
Why do I still have mosquitoes after cleaning up water?
Reviewed October 2026 by Pro-Spray's family-run team
Pests don't wait.
Protect your home today.
Get $50 OFF your first pest service and a FREE inspection & estimate. Ongoing protection is $125 quarterly (about $42/month), with no contracts and no cancellation fees.
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