Asian Tiger Mosquito Identification & Control

Quick Identification

• Size: About ¼ inch long
• Color: Striking black with bold white stripes on legs and body, single white stripe down the center of the head
• Key Features: Aggressive daytime biter (unlike most mosquito species); breeds in small containers; distinctive black-and-white striped pattern
• Active Season: Summer through fall
• Risk Level: Moderate — aggressive biter; capable of transmitting various diseases though local transmission is uncommon

The Daytime Biter

Most mosquito species bite primarily at dawn and dusk, but the Asian tiger mosquito is an aggressive daytime feeder — meaning outdoor activities that would normally be mosquito-free become uncomfortable when this species is present. If you’re being bitten during midday garden work or afternoon play time, Asian tiger mosquitoes are likely the culprit.

Originally from Southeast Asia, this invasive species has established throughout the eastern United States. It’s a container breeder, meaning it prefers to lay eggs in small amounts of standing water — discarded tires, buckets, planters, clogged gutters, even bottle caps. This makes residential properties the primary breeding habitat, because every yard contains dozens of potential water-holding containers.

Asian tiger mosquitoes don’t fly far from where they breed — typically staying within a few hundred feet of their hatching site. This means that if you’re being bitten by striped mosquitoes, they’re likely breeding on or very near your property. Eliminating even a few standing water sources can significantly cut the population. For properties where standing water can’t be fully eliminated, professional barrier treatments reduce adult mosquito numbers dramatically. Contact Sanctuary Pest Control at 815-993-3472.