What mosquito do I have?

Culex are often brownish-grey and breed in gutters, ponds, and standing water; they bite at dusk. Aedes are dark with banded legs and breed in containers; some bite by day. Anopheles rest at an angle and occur in malaria areas. Larvae in water confirm breeding — remove or treat the water.

Where do mosquitoes breed?

Any standing water: gutters, saucers, buckets, tyres, ponds, puddles, and drains. Culex and Aedes in urban areas; Anopheles in pools and puddles in endemic areas. Empty, cover, or treat water to stop breeding.

How do I find breeding sites?

Check gutters, plant saucers, bird baths, buckets, tyres, and low spots after rain. Look for larvae (wrigglers) in water — that confirms a site. Professional survey finds all potential sites on the property.

Mosquitoes have a long proboscis (biting mouthparts) and scale-covered wings; they bite. Midges are often smaller, swarm at dusk, and do not bite. If it bites and has a long “nose,” it is a mosquito.

When should I get professional help?

When biting is heavy, you cannot find or eliminate breeding sites, or you need larvicide for water that must stay. Professionals survey, treat sites, and advise on prevention.

How do I use the quick comparison table?

Match what you see (when they bite, where larvae are, resting posture) to the table to identify Culex, Aedes, or Anopheles. Then read that species card for breeding sites and control. Focus on removing or treating water.

Mosquito Identification Guide

Mosquitoes need standing water to breed. Correct identification of the type — and finding where they breed — is the first step in control. South Africa has many species in the genera Culex (house mosquitoes), Aedes (container breeders, some can transmit arboviruses), and Anopheles (malaria vectors in endemic areas). This guide covers what to look for, where they breed, and when to get professional help. Control focuses on removing or treating standing water and reducing breeding sites.

Identify Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles mosquitoes. Know breeding sites and how to reduce populations.

Need mosquito control?

Call See Mosquito Control

Adult mosquito on skin — identification guide context; species cards describe Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles in detail

How to use this guide

Note when they bite — dusk/dawn (many Culex, Anopheles) vs day (some Aedes).
Check where you see them or find larvae — containers, gutters, ponds, or puddles.
Look for larvae (wrigglers) in water — confirms breeding site; treat or remove the water.
Consider location — malaria risk areas have Anopheles; urban container water often Aedes or Culex.
Rule out lookalikes — midges and crane flies do not bite; mosquitoes have a long proboscis and scale-covered wings.
Then match to the species card using the quick comparison table; control starts with eliminating breeding sites.

Quick comparison

Mosquito / Lookalike	Colour	Size	Commonly found	Key clue
Culex (house mosquito)	Brownish-grey; plain wings	~4–10 mm	Standing water, gutters, ponds, containers, drains	Often bites at dusk; breeds in water; common in urban areas
Aedes (container mosquito)	Dark with white markings; banded legs	~4–7 mm	Containers, plant saucers, tyres, small water bodies	Can bite by day; breeds in small containers; some species vector disease
Anopheles (malaria mosquito)	Pale or brown; angled resting posture	~5–8 mm	Pools, puddles, marshes; malaria-endemic regions	Bites at night; rests at angle; malaria vector where endemic
Midges / non-biting (lookalike)	Small, grey; no long proboscis	Variable	Near water; swarm at dusk	Do not bite; often in clouds; different from mosquitoes

Species at a glance

Use the cards below to match what you see — appearance, where they are found, and behaviour.

Culex (House Mosquito)

Culex spp. (e.g. C. pipiens, C. quinquefasciatus, C. theileri)

Appearance

Brownish-grey body; plain wings without bold patterns
About 4–10 mm; long proboscis (biting mouthparts)
Larvae (wrigglers): hang at an angle from water surface; breathe through siphon
Pupae: comma-shaped; active in water

Commonly found

Blocked gutters and roof waterBird baths and plant saucersPonds and stagnant poolsDrains and stormwaterContainers holding waterPeri-urban and urban areas

Behaviour

Common “house” or nuisance mosquitoes in South Africa. Females bite (mainly at dusk and dawn) to obtain blood for egg development. Lay eggs in rafts on standing water; larvae develop in a few days to weeks. Some Culex species can transmit West Nile virus or Rift Valley fever. Control by removing standing water or using larvicides where water cannot be removed.

Why you may be seeing them

Standing water on the property — gutters, saucers, ponds, or containers — allows breeding. Numbers rise after rain and in warm weather. Biting at dusk and dawn is typical. Larvae (wrigglers) in water confirm a breeding site.

Often confused with

Aedes (Aedes often have banded legs and breed in smaller containers) · Anopheles (Anopheles rest at an angle; Culex rest parallel to surface) · Midges (midges do not bite; different wing and body shape)

When to get help

Heavy biting; larvae in water you cannot remove; or after rain when breeding sites multiply. Professional survey finds all breeding sites and advises on larvicides and source reduction.

Culex species are widespread. Source reduction (empty, cover, or treat water) is the main control.

Culex house mosquito guide Need mosquito control? See Mosquito Control

Aedes (Container Mosquito)

Aedes spp. (e.g. A. aegypti, A. mcintoshi)

Appearance

Dark with white or silvery markings; banded legs in many species
About 4–7 mm; long proboscis
Larvae: hang from water surface; siphon short; some species in small containers
Can bite during the day as well as at dusk

Commonly found

Plant saucers and pot traysTyres, buckets, and containersBlocked gutters and roof dripBird baths and small poolsNatural containers (tree holes, leaf axils)

Behaviour

Often breed in small, container-like water bodies. Some species (e.g. Aedes aegypti) can transmit dengue, chikungunya, or other arboviruses where those diseases occur. Females lay eggs on damp surfaces; eggs can survive drying and hatch when flooded. Active biters; some bite by day. Eliminating container water is key to control.

Why you may be seeing them

Any small accumulation of water — saucers, buckets, blocked gutters, tyres — can produce Aedes. Common in suburban and urban gardens. Numbers increase after rain when containers fill. Daytime biting can indicate Aedes.

Often confused with

Culex (Culex often plainer; breed in larger water bodies) · Anopheles (different resting posture; different breeding sites)

When to get help

Container breeding on your property; daytime biting; or in areas where Aedes-borne disease is a concern. Professionals find and eliminate or treat all container habitats.

Aedes aegypti and related species are important in arbovirus transmission in some regions. Source reduction is critical.

Aedes container mosquito guide Need mosquito control? See Mosquito Control

Anopheles (Malaria Mosquito)

Anopheles spp. (e.g. An. arabiensis)

Appearance

Pale to brown; often with spotted wings
About 5–8 mm; long proboscis
Rest at an angle (head down, body raised) — unlike Culex which rests parallel
Larvae: lie flat at water surface; no siphon

Commonly found

Pools, puddles, and marshesIrrigation and rice paddiesEdges of dams and streamsMainly in malaria-endemic areas (e.g. parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KZN)

Behaviour

Females bite at night and can transmit malaria in endemic areas. Larvae develop in clean or slightly polluted water; they lie flat at the surface. Resting posture (angled) helps distinguish from Culex. In malaria areas, bed nets and indoor residual spraying complement source reduction; on properties, removing or treating standing water reduces local breeding.

Why you may be seeing them

In or near malaria-endemic regions; standing water (pools, puddles, irrigation) supports breeding. Biting at night. If you are in a malaria area and see angled-resting mosquitoes or larvae lying flat at the surface, they may be Anopheles.

Often confused with

Culex (Culex rests parallel; Anopheles at angle; larvae different) · Aedes (Aedes often in containers; different larval posture)

When to get help

In malaria-endemic areas; heavy mosquito pressure; or standing water that cannot be removed. Professional advice on larviciding and personal protection; follow public health guidance for malaria prevention.

Malaria risk is area-specific. Anopheles control on property supports broader malaria control efforts.

Anopheles malaria mosquito guide Need mosquito control? See Mosquito Control

Common signs by location

Where you find larvae or standing water — gutters, saucers, containers, or puddles — points to the mosquito type and the right control. Eliminate or treat every breeding site.

Gutters and roof water
Blocked gutters hold water. Clean gutters and ensure drainage; treat with larvicide if water cannot be removed.
CulexAedes
Plant saucers and buckets
Empty saucers weekly; store buckets upside down. Container water is a major Aedes source.
AedesCulex
Bird baths and ponds
Change bird bath water often; use larvicide or fish in ponds. Do not let water stand for more than a week.
CulexAedes
Tyres and containers
Discard or cover tyres; remove or invert containers. Aedes eggs can survive drying and hatch when flooded.
Aedes
Puddles and low spots
Fill or drain puddles; improve drainage. In malaria areas, puddles can produce Anopheles.
CulexAnopheles
Drains and stormwater
Clear blocked drains; prevent standing water. Culex often breed in stormwater and drains.
Culex

Why mosquitoes keep coming back

Standing water remains — containers, gutters, or puddles keep producing new adults; remove or treat every source.
Missed breeding sites — one forgotten bucket or blocked drain can repopulate the area; full survey is needed.
Rain and refill — after rain, containers and puddles refill; empty saucers and check gutters regularly.
Neighbouring water — nearby ponds, vleis, or neglected pools can be a source; control what you can and use screens.
No larvicide where water stays — where water cannot be removed (e.g. ponds), use registered larvicides.
Eggs survive drying — some Aedes lay eggs that hatch when flooded; remove containers and clean surfaces.

Common mosquito signs and behaviour

These patterns help you identify the type and find breeding sites.

Larvae (wrigglers) in water
Confirms a breeding site. Culex larvae hang at an angle; Anopheles lie flat; Aedes in small containers. Remove the water or treat with larvicide.
Biting at dusk and dawn
Typical of many Culex and Anopheles. Use screens, repellent, and reduce breeding sites so fewer adults emerge.
Daytime biting
Some Aedes bite during the day. Check for container water (saucers, tyres, gutters) and eliminate it.
Mosquitoes after rain
Rain fills containers and puddles. Empty saucers, clear gutters, and check all potential sites within a week of rain.
Swarming non-biters
Midges often swarm at dusk and do not bite. Mosquitoes have a long proboscis and bite; midges are smaller and do not have the same mouthparts.
Angled resting posture
Anopheles rest with body at an angle to the surface. Culex rest parallel. Helps distinguish in malaria areas.

When to get professional help

Heavy mosquito biting and you cannot find or eliminate breeding sites
Larvae in water that you cannot remove (e.g. ponds, drains)
Property in or near a malaria-endemic area
Commercial or residential property that needs a full survey and larvicide plan
After flooding or heavy rain when many new sites form
You want screens, source reduction advice, and follow-up

Call Get mosquito control

Ready to reduce mosquito breeding?

Professional survey and source reduction — remove or treat standing water so fewer mosquitoes emerge.

Call Mosquito control

Mosquito Identification Guide

Identify Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles mosquitoes. Know breeding sites and how to reduce populations.

How to use this guide

Note when they bite — dusk/dawn (many Culex, Anopheles) vs day (some Aedes).

Check where you see them or find larvae — containers, gutters, ponds, or puddles.

Look for larvae (wrigglers) in water — confirms breeding site; treat or remove the water.

Consider location — malaria risk areas have Anopheles; urban container water often Aedes or Culex.

Rule out lookalikes — midges and crane flies do not bite; mosquitoes have a long proboscis and scale-covered wings.

Then match to the species card using the quick comparison table; control starts with eliminating breeding sites.

Quick comparison

Mosquito / Lookalike	Colour	Size	Commonly found	Key clue
Culex (house mosquito)	Brownish-grey; plain wings	~4–10 mm	Standing water, gutters, ponds, containers, drains	Often bites at dusk; breeds in water; common in urban areas
Aedes (container mosquito)	Dark with white markings; banded legs	~4–7 mm	Containers, plant saucers, tyres, small water bodies	Can bite by day; breeds in small containers; some species vector disease
Anopheles (malaria mosquito)	Pale or brown; angled resting posture	~5–8 mm	Pools, puddles, marshes; malaria-endemic regions	Bites at night; rests at angle; malaria vector where endemic
Midges / non-biting (lookalike)	Small, grey; no long proboscis	Variable	Near water; swarm at dusk	Do not bite; often in clouds; different from mosquitoes

Culex (House Mosquito)

Culex spp. (e.g. C. pipiens, C. quinquefasciatus, C. theileri)

Appearance

Brownish-grey body; plain wings without bold patterns
About 4–10 mm; long proboscis (biting mouthparts)
Larvae (wrigglers): hang at an angle from water surface; breathe through siphon
Pupae: comma-shaped; active in water

Commonly found

Blocked gutters and roof waterBird baths and plant saucersPonds and stagnant poolsDrains and stormwaterContainers holding waterPeri-urban and urban areas

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Heavy biting; larvae in water you cannot remove; or after rain when breeding sites multiply. Professional survey finds all breeding sites and advises on larvicides and source reduction.

Culex species are widespread. Source reduction (empty, cover, or treat water) is the main control.

Culex house mosquito guide Need mosquito control? See Mosquito Control

Common signs by location

Where you find larvae or standing water — gutters, saucers, containers, or puddles — points to the mosquito type and the right control. Eliminate or treat every breeding site.

Gutters and roof water

Blocked gutters hold water. Clean gutters and ensure drainage; treat with larvicide if water cannot be removed.

CulexAedes

Plant saucers and buckets

Empty saucers weekly; store buckets upside down. Container water is a major Aedes source.

AedesCulex

Bird baths and ponds

Change bird bath water often; use larvicide or fish in ponds. Do not let water stand for more than a week.

CulexAedes

Tyres and containers

Discard or cover tyres; remove or invert containers. Aedes eggs can survive drying and hatch when flooded.

Aedes

Puddles and low spots

Fill or drain puddles; improve drainage. In malaria areas, puddles can produce Anopheles.

CulexAnopheles

Drains and stormwater

Clear blocked drains; prevent standing water. Culex often breed in stormwater and drains.

Culex

Why mosquitoes keep coming back

Standing water remains — containers, gutters, or puddles keep producing new adults; remove or treat every source.

Missed breeding sites — one forgotten bucket or blocked drain can repopulate the area; full survey is needed.

Rain and refill — after rain, containers and puddles refill; empty saucers and check gutters regularly.

Neighbouring water — nearby ponds, vleis, or neglected pools can be a source; control what you can and use screens.

No larvicide where water stays — where water cannot be removed (e.g. ponds), use registered larvicides.

Eggs survive drying — some Aedes lay eggs that hatch when flooded; remove containers and clean surfaces.

Common mosquito signs and behaviour

These patterns help you identify the type and find breeding sites.

Larvae (wrigglers) in water

Confirms a breeding site. Culex larvae hang at an angle; Anopheles lie flat; Aedes in small containers. Remove the water or treat with larvicide.

Biting at dusk and dawn

Typical of many Culex and Anopheles. Use screens, repellent, and reduce breeding sites so fewer adults emerge.

Daytime biting

Some Aedes bite during the day. Check for container water (saucers, tyres, gutters) and eliminate it.

Mosquitoes after rain

Rain fills containers and puddles. Empty saucers, clear gutters, and check all potential sites within a week of rain.

Swarming non-biters

Midges often swarm at dusk and do not bite. Mosquitoes have a long proboscis and bite; midges are smaller and do not have the same mouthparts.

Angled resting posture

Anopheles rest with body at an angle to the surface. Culex rest parallel. Helps distinguish in malaria areas.

When to get professional help

Heavy mosquito biting and you cannot find or eliminate breeding sites

Larvae in water that you cannot remove (e.g. ponds, drains)

Property in or near a malaria-endemic area

Commercial or residential property that needs a full survey and larvicide plan

After flooding or heavy rain when many new sites form

You want screens, source reduction advice, and follow-up

Mosquito Identification Guide

How to use this guide

Quick comparison

Species at a glance

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Common signs by location

Gutters and roof water

Plant saucers and buckets

Bird baths and ponds

Tyres and containers

Puddles and low spots

Drains and stormwater

Why mosquitoes keep coming back

Common mosquito signs and behaviour

Larvae (wrigglers) in water

Biting at dusk and dawn

Daytime biting

Mosquitoes after rain

Swarming non-biters

Angled resting posture

When to get professional help

Related pages

Ready to reduce mosquito breeding?

Mosquito Identification Guide

How to use this guide

Quick comparison

Species at a glance

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Common signs by location

Gutters and roof water

Plant saucers and buckets

Bird baths and ponds

Tyres and containers

Puddles and low spots

Drains and stormwater

Why mosquitoes keep coming back

Common mosquito signs and behaviour

Larvae (wrigglers) in water

Biting at dusk and dawn

Daytime biting

Mosquitoes after rain

Swarming non-biters

Angled resting posture

When to get professional help

Related pages

Ready to reduce mosquito breeding?