5 surprising facts about mosquitoes

Ah, the ubiquitous mosquito.

Whether sitting around the campfire, hiking the trails, swimming at the lake, or playing slo-pitch,the little mosquito is easily the most dependable and irritating aspect of summer.

They may alllook the same when swatting them away, but they are an incredibly varied insect research shows there are a whopping 39 species present in the Northwest Territories.

CBC News called up entomologist Taz Stuart to learn a little bit more about the most universally annoying bug.

Mosquitoes:they're just like us

Mosquitoes are surprisingly relatable.

For one, they're picky eaters. If they're buzzing around your ears and leaving bites, they're female. Males don't bite. Females need blood to create eggs nectar is actually their food source but they don't want just any blood.

"They'll come in and do a test landing," said Stuart.

"If it's something that they like, they'll probe with the proboscis or their nose and then try for a blood meal

"You can have one person one mosquito will like and the next person right beside them, who has been running around throwing off all the CO2 and full of vimand vigour that mosquito won't be attracted to them."

Mosquitoes also love some good R&R after they've gotten their blood and laid their eggs, a mosquito will take a few days off before doing it all again. They repeat the process for the duration of their entire two-to-four-week lifespan.

Don't like the wet weather? Smoky day got you down? You're not the only one bummed out by lousyweather.

"They're just like you," said Stuart.

"If it's hot, they rest in cool, dark places during the day. If it's windy, they bunker down in hiding spots like eaves, under decks and other hiding spots. If it's smoky, they find areas that are not to rest until it clears."

Some surprising facts about mosquitoes

6 years ago

Duration 1:04

Why do only female mosquitoes take our blood? How long do they live? Why do we need them, anyway? We take a closer look at the pesky bug.

Mosquitoes can be deadly

It's common knowledge that mosquitoes can transmit deadly diseases.

The risk changes depending where in the world you are, but West Nile is travelling northward it was found for the first time this season in the Winnipeg area.

• West Nile found in Winnipeg mosquitoes for 1st time this season

• AUDIO |Fight the bite: avoiding West Nile virus, Lyme disease

"You do have the species that can transmit the virus [in the N.W.T.]," said Stuart. "But there have not been any positive mosquito pools found to date over the past 16 years."

But that's not the only way they can kill.

Imagine the size of an international rugby field that's about the size of a single hectare millions of mosquitoes can be found in this relatively tiny area.

"I've seen animals up there covered head to toe with mosquitoes, pretty much getting fed on all day and all night," said Stuart.

"And they get emaciated, meaning that they die from the stress of getting fed on so much. That happens in really bad years."

Not everybody gets those awful, itchy bites

Some people get pimple-like bites on the webbing between their toes. Others might end up with big welts behind their knees. But there is a rare group of people to be jealous of the type who sees no effect from mosquito bites.

Stuart says around five to 10 per cent of the North American population is this lucky.

"Their body doesn't have the immune response the [histamine] response," he said.

There's more than one way to deter them

The jury is out on home remedies such as vanilla, catnip or tea tree oil, but Stuart recommends using a repellent made with 30 per cent DEET, which should last about three hours. People allergic to DEET can use a repellent made with picaridin.

And avoid dark clothes.

"You want to wear lightly coloured clothing, long sleeves, long pants," he added.

• What you can do to keep the mosquitoes away this summer

Of course, there's always the option to stay inside all summer.

"You don't want to be outside when mosquitoes are most active and that's usually between the dusk time period and the dawn time period," said Stuart.

"Of course, this time of year you guys are almost constantly like that," he said of the North's near 24-hour daylight.

Mosquitoes can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em

The Northwest Territories is known for its diverse ecosystem and mosquitoes play a pivotal role in keeping that system in balance.

"Yes they do have a purpose in the ecological cycle," said Stuart.

"They are food for other animals ducks, frogs, predaceous diving beetles, they are part of the ecosystem. Not the happy part of the ecosystem for humans."