Mosquitoes' Main Aquatic Habitats
Aquatic habitats are containers in which eggs develop into adult mosquitoes. Mosquitoes that transmit dengue lay eggs on the walls of water-filled containers in the house and patio. The eggs hatch when submerged in water and can survive for months. Mosquitoes can lay dozens of eggs up to 5 times during their lifetime.
There is a great variety of man-made containers on backyards or patios that collect rain water or that are filled with water by people where dengue vectors thrive. Disposing of unused containers, placing useful containers under a roof or protected with tight covers, and frequently changing the water of animal drinking pans and flower pots will greatly reduce the risk of dengue infections. Water storage containers should be kept clean and sealed so mosquitoes cannot use them as aquatic habitats.
Common containers in which eggs develop into adult dengue mosquitoes
Natural plant containers
Rain-filled cavities in trees, bamboo internodes, leaf-axils of plants
Artificial containers
Containers that are filled with rain water
Large discarded containers (tires, damaged appliances) and small discarded containers (paint cans)
Trash cans, pails or buckets, painting trays, toys
Containers that are filled with water by people and also collect rain water
Water-storage containers (wells, tanks, cisterns, barrels, jars, buckets).
Ornamental or recreational containers (plant pots and dishes, plastic pools, rooting plants in water/ aquatic plants)
Animal drinking pan
Leaking water meter
Broken or unsealed septic tanks
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dengue Branch
1324 Calle Cañada
San Juan, Puerto Rico
00920-3860 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
