Mosquito larvae are much more than just a source of annoying mosquitoes. The summer pests block the view of countless species of mosquito larvae, which are an invaluable source of food 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 you can fight mosquito larvae in water or breed them as fish food.
What are mosquito larvae and how are they used?
Mosquito larvae are important food sources for fish and birds and come in different colors: red larvae come from chironomids (non-biting), white from tussock midges (non-biting) and black from mosquitoes. They can be controlled in water, grown as fish food, or removed from pools and other water containers.
- Mosquito larvae go through four stages of development and live predominantly in water.
- Massive occurrence 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 ponds and aquariums or are the target of control measures in the garden and home.
Red mosquito larvae in portrait – natural treasures and food source
Red mosquito larvae are masters of adaptation, clever survivors and mostly live in water. The delicate, slim larvae are rich in important nutrients and live in huge swarms. These attributes make red mosquito larvae valuable natural treasures and an inexhaustible source of food for fish. Red mosquito larvae hatch into chironomids with a lifespan of just a few days. Unlike some of their species, chironomids do not bite or suck blood. The following portrait summarizes important information about red mosquito larvae:
Appearance and habitat – profile
Red mosquito larvae are the offspring of chironomids that gather in huge swarms for the wedding dance. Following mating in the air, the females drop numerous eggs over the surface of the water or attach small egg packets to the bank. The insects don't have much time to start a family because, as imagos, dancing mosquitoes only live for a few days. Red mosquito larvae hatch from the eggs. The following profile summarizes important identifying features and preferred habitats:
- Body shape: slim, worm-shaped with head capsule and distinctive mouthparts
- Composition: 3 chest segments with 1 pair of stubby feet at the front, 9 abdominal segments with pushers
- Color: red (use of hemoglobin for oxygen supply)
- Movement rhythm: meandering
- Main habitats: standing and flowing waters with fresh or s alt water, rare bank substrates
- Nutrition: algae and suspended matter, floating leaves, empty larval shells
- Thermal resistance: heat-resistant up to 51° Celsius and frost-proof
The vast majority of the 570 chironomid 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 go through a total of four larval stages until they pupate for a few days, emerge as full-fledged chironomids and, as light as a feather, rise into the air for their wedding dance.
Purpose of life and possible uses
Red bloodworms are a treat for fish
Red mosquito larvae are a sought-after treat for fish. A wide range of species ensures supplies 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. The larvae often attach themselves to the surface of the water with their tubes, which makes them easy prey. Not only amphibians use the rich food source, but also local and migratory birds.
Owners of fish ponds, aquariums and terrariums have not missed the benefits of chironomid larvae. For this reason, red mosquito larvae can be bought dried or as frozen food in most specialist shops and on the Internet.
Tip
Experienced anglers know that when red bait dangles from the fishing rod, curious and hungry fish are not far away. Dried, red mosquito larvae are perfect, providing best catch rates for yeast fishermen and competitive anglers.
Distinguish mosquito larvae by color
In the kingdom of mosquitoes, joy and suffering are closely linked. Mosquitoes in particular make our lives hell both indoors and outdoors when the beasts are after our blood. It's good to know that the color of mosquito larvae reveals which type of mosquito will hatch after pupation. The following table explains the differences:
| Name | Larvae of | Stinging type yes/no | habitat | Suitable as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red mosquito larvae | Chironomids | no | Water and Earth | Fish food, reptile food, bait |
| White mosquito larvae | Tuft midges | no | Water | Fish food, reptile food, bait |
| Black mosquito larvae | Mosquitoes | yes | Water | Fish food, reptile food, bait |
The high appreciation for red mosquito larvae illuminates the above portrait in detail. Black mosquito larvae, on the other hand, cause conflicting feelings in people because they transform into the hated mosquitoes. Of course, this doesn't matter to the fish in the pond and aquarium, because they enjoy the larvae regardless of their species. White mosquito larvae represent the minority among native species and are less common in the wild than red and black larvae.
Mosquito larvae in the pool – what to do?
In appearance, mosquito larvae have little in common with mosquitoes
A pool magically attracts female mosquitoes to use the inviting water surface as a place to lay eggs. Within a short time the pool is swarming with mosquito larvae, which spoil our enjoyment of swimming. Without countermeasures, hordes of mosquitoes emerge and prey on 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 well in practice:
- Removing mosquito larvae with a pool vacuum
- Alternatively, destroy mosquito larvae with a filter pump, ideally a sand filter system
- Home remedies for killing mosquito larvae: add dishwashing liquid to the pool water
As a preventative measure, we recommend covering the water with a pool tarpaulin after every swim. Installing water features is more attractive for the appearance of the pool and just as effective in prevention. Mosquito larvae have little chance of survival if the water surface is constantly moving. We also recommend keeping an eye on pool chemistry. You should primarily check the pH value regularly. Values below 7.2 and above 7.6 are regulated with adequate pool products.
Excursus
Destruct mosquito larvae in the rain barrel
The rain barrel is one of the most dangerous breeding grounds for mosquito infestations in the garden. Female mosquitoes interpret standing water as a welcome invitation to lay countless egg packets on the surface. A carpet of mosquito larvae heralds the impending mosquito invasion. By breaking the surface tension of the water, you permanently destroy mosquito larvae. Using chemicals is taboo if you want to water your vegetable plants with water from the rain barrel without any concerns. As a home remedy, a few drops of dishwashing liquid are enough to stop the swarm of mosquito larvae in the water barrel.
Breed mosquito larvae yourself – How does it work?
Financial considerations are not the main 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 conditions from which mosquito larvae emerge. Purchased mosquito larvae always carry 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 a tub or tub with water and place it outside so that female mosquitoes lay their eggs
- Ransack at friends' houses, skim off floating mosquito larvae, put them in the water barrel at home
- Collect mosquito eggs yourself from bodies of water and let them grow into mosquito larvae in a bucket of water
- Important: Cover the vessel to prevent escape with an insect net or old silk stockings
All options involve a lot of effort and a variety of risks. Red mosquito larvae often protect themselves with self-spun tubes until they hatch as flying midges. In order to access the larvae as live food for fish, the tiny quiver must first be removed with great sensitivity. Simply collecting mosquito eggs and mosquito larvae on foreign waters without the owner's permission can have legal repercussions.
Fighting mosquito larvae – tips & tricks
Items in which water remains should be removed
In water-rich regions, cities and municipalities bring out the big guns to combat mosquito larvae before they turn into stinging pests. Along the Rhine, the “Municipal Action Group to Combat the Mosquito Plague” association 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 experts' accumulated experience to effectively combat pests outside and inside. We have put together practical tips and tricks for you below:
Fighting mosquito larvae outside
A proven remedy for combating mosquito larvae comes from the bacterial kingdom. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis was discovered in the mid-1970s for the biological destruction of mosquitoes in the larval stage. It is a subspecies of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and has since been used as a biocide. Within a short period of time, the bacteria can kill mosquito larvae in the water without causing harm to other animals or the environment. One of the top products on the market with this active ingredient and approved for use in home and allotment gardens is Neudorff mosquito-free (€12.00 on Amazon). How to use the remedy competently:
- Buy biocide in tablet form
- How to use the rain barrel: crush 1 tablet in every 50 liters and stir in with a wooden stick
- Application in the pond: add 1 crushed tablet per 1000 liters to the pond water
- Repeat control every 4 weeks
There are various ways to avoid mosquito larvae in the rain barrel
Using an effervescent effect, you can check whether the product is doing its job. All mosquito larvae are destroyed in a water barrel 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 agent, it does not affect other aquatic creatures, such as fish, frogs or toads. The disadvantage is that the bacteria not only kill black mosquito larvae, but also harmless white and red mosquito larvae.
Destruct mosquito larvae indoors
In living spaces, the fight against mosquito larvae focuses primarily on preventive measures. Avoid potential breeding sites. How to do it right:
- do not leave open liquids lying around
- Tip out, clean and refill the dog and cat's drinking bowls daily
- Remove water from pot coasters at least 10 minutes after watering
- do not place a filled, open water glass 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 nesting place for mosquito larvae. Pour a large gush of boiling hot water into the opening every day to thwart female mosquitoes' plans. We also recommend thoroughly scrubbing all drain openings in the house regularly with a brush and vinegar water.
Frequently asked questions
How long do mosquito larvae take to hatch?
Mosquito larvae complete four stages of development until pupation. Depending on the species and habitat, this period extends 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 taking place within a few seconds even for red mosquito larvae and within a few minutes for black mosquito larvae.
What helps against mosquito larvae in the pool?
Buy a pool vacuum with a telescopic pole. With this device you can easily vacuum mosquito larvae from 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's cheaper to use dishwashing liquid that you drip onto the surface of the water. This breaks up the surface tension and the mosquito larvae sink. This procedure has the advantage that you primarily kill black mosquito larvae. Red mosquito larvae, on the other hand, breathe through the skin and are spared.
I would like to breed mosquito larvae as live fish food. What do mosquito larvae actually eat?
Mosquito larvae have very different lifestyles. Most species live in sweet or s alty areas and adapt their diet accordingly. The diet usually includes waste products from the water and tiny algae. Some species of mosquito larvae 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 nutritional plan depends on the respective species.
Red bloodworms 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 each species of ornamental fish that lives in the water. Many freshwater and s altwater fish like to eat red bloodworms and can tolerate this diet well. These include sticklebacks, carp and goldfish. However, eating it causes digestive problems for some fish, such as the exotic cichlids.
Tip
Have cunning black mosquito larvae escaped your attention and are now buzzing around as bold mosquitoes? Then use home remedies to create an effective mosquito trap. Pour 200 ml of water, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 drop of dishwashing liquid into a small bowl. Cover the shell tightly with cling film, which you pierce with a thin sewing needle. Mosquitoes greedily squeeze through the perforated film. When they try to snack on the liquid, the pests sink hopelessly.
