The common mosquito can be found anywhere near urban areas. Mostly active during the night, it can transmit the Japanese encephalitis virus or the West Nile virus. This mosquito can lay eggs in any area with standing water, such as garden pots and any containers with water. The maggots float at 45-degree angle compared to the surface of the water. You may recognize the Culex by its brown and tarnished appearance.

Both Aedes species are more dangerous as they can carry numerous diseases such as the Zika virus, chikungunya, dengue or the yellow fever. The Aedes albopictus, also known as tiger mosquito, has extended its population from sub-tropical areas to cooler countries in Southern Europe and America. It is mostly active during the day and can perfectly live in urban areas. The eggs can resist to droughts and hatch once they are in the water. The Aedes are easy to recognize thanks to their striped abdomen in black and white. As they can travel short distances only, they tend to stay near their breeding place.

This kind of mosquito bites during the night, mainly at the sunrise and sunset. Known to carry malaria, it does not feed exclusively on humans which is the cause of such disease. It can be recognized thanks to its spotted wings and its posture when biting. Anopheles lean forward to eat while other species remain parallel to the surface. Also, maggots float parallel to the water surface instead of floating vertically.

Despite not being a mosquito, you should be aware of this little mite! It can carry several diseases such as the Lyme disease and develop infections the longer it stays on your skin. You will find it along hiking trails and grassy areas. Since you may not feel the bite, it is important to check your body after spending time in the nature. If you find a strange black dot on your skin, it might be a tick. It buries its head into your skin so you will have to be careful when taking it off. As it can keep feeding on you for several days, the faster the tick is removed, the better it is to prevent any infection.