We control mosquitoes while protecting honey bees—thanks to a deep understanding of their unique anatomy and behavior. (🦟❌)(🐝✅) Science makes it possible to target the pests without harming our pollinator pals! Join us in learning more about the incredible world of insects and how we keep the balance just right! 🔍🌼
Mosquito speices in alaska.
Alaska is home to 35 known mosquito species, each adapted to its unique environment. These species can be broadly categorized into two groups: snow mosquitoes, which emerge early in the season, and summer mosquitoes, which appear later.Anchorage Daily News
🦟 Mosquito Species in Alaska
While a comprehensive list of all 35 species is extensive, here are some notable examples:
- Aedes communis: Common in wooded areas; known for aggressive biting behavior.My Favorite Animal Postcards
- Culiseta alaskaensis: Also known as the Alaskan winter mosquito; active in cooler temperatures. Wikipedia
- Aedes impiger: Found in tundra regions; prevalent in northern parts of Alaska.
- Aedes nigripes: Adapted to arctic environments; one of the few species active during colder months.
These species vary in habitat preference, behavior, and seasonal activity. For a detailed identification key, refer to the Identification Key for United States and Alaska Mosquito Genera.Defense Centers for Public Health
🧬 Anatomy of Mosquito Mouthparts
Mosquitoes possess specialized mouthparts designed for piercing skin and extracting blood. The primary components include:Wikipedia+3Home+3NPR+3Encyclopedia Britannica
- Labrum: Forms the upper part of the feeding tube.Encyclopedia Britannica+10GenEnt+10Purdue Ag College+10
- Mandibles and Maxillae: Paired structures that pierce the skin.
- Hypopharynx: Delivers saliva into the host.
Labium: Encloses the other mouthparts and retracts during feeding.
What is Geranial ?
Geranial is a naturally occurring monoterpenoid and one of the two isomers of citral (the other being neral). It is a key component of the Nasonov pheromone produced by honey bees and is also found in various essential oils (like lemongrass).
Bees and Geranial: Production and Benefits
Production:
Honey bees produce geranial as part of the Nasonov pheromone, which is secreted from the Nasonov gland located at the tip of the bee’s abdomen.
Bees fan their wings to disperse the scent into the air.
Functions/Benefits to Bees:
Colony Cohesion: Helps guide foraging bees back to the hive or swarm cluster.
Swarming Behavior: Used during swarming to recruit and regroup bees.
Orientation: Guides disoriented bees or new foragers to resources or hive locations.
Communication: Works in tandem with other chemicals in the Nasonov blend to coordinate social behavior.
Geranial’s Effects on Mosquitoes and Biting Flies
Adverse Effects:
Repellent Action: Geranial is highly repellent to many biting insects including mosquitoes and biting flies.
It interferes with their olfactory receptors, preventing them from locating hosts or resting sites.
Found in many natural insect repellents (e.g., lemongrass oil, citronella).
Behavioral Disruption: Can inhibit feeding and deter landings on humans or animals.
Mechanism:
Affects the olfactory system of mosquitoes, which rely on carbon dioxide and other scents to locate hosts.
May overload or block their scent receptors, causing disorientation or avoidance behavior.
Comparison Summary.
| Aspect | Bees | Mosquitoes & Biting Flies |
|---|---|---|
| Source of Geranial | Produced by bees via Nasonov gland | Not produced; encountered in environment (repellents) |
| Function | Attracts and guides other bees | Repels, confuses, and deters feeding behavior |
| Effect | Positive (communication, orientation) | Negative (disorientation, feeding inhibition) |
| Ecological Role | Supports social structure of bee colonies | Natural deterrent and protection for mammals |
| Use in Products | Rarely commercialized from bees; behaviorally important | Widely used in repellents for humans and animals |
Conclusion,Geranial demonstrates an excellent example of chemical ecology, where a compound beneficial to one species (bees) plays a completely opposite role for others (mosquitoes and flies). This dual nature is exploited in human applications, particularly for natural insect repellents that mimic the defensive chemical cues present in nature.
1. Repellent Action
Studies show that geranial acts as a natural repellent to many species of wasps, especially when encountered in high concentrations.
Wasps, like mosquitoes and flies, have highly sensitive olfactory receptors. Geranial can overstimulate or disrupt these receptors, making it difficult for them to:
Locate food sources
Track prey
Communicate effectively within colonies
Territorial Avoidance
Some observations suggest that wasps may avoid areas where geranial is present, possibly due to:
Its unfamiliar or unpleasant scent profile
The association with another insect’s pheromonal territory (e.g., bees)
Comparison Summary.
In experimental or anecdotal cases, applying essential oils containing geranial (like lemongrass oil) near wasp nests:
Caused nest abandonment
Reduced foraging activity
Induced stress behaviors (e.g., erratic flight, hesitation)
| Feature | Honey Bees | Wasps |
|---|---|---|
| Response to Geranial | Attracted (used in Nasonov pheromone) | Repelled or disrupted |
| Function | Social cohesion, guidance | Disorientation, potential aversion |
| Behavioral Role | Recruitment and hive recognition | Territory avoidance, sensory stress |
What Is the Nasonov Gland?
In worker honey bees (Apis mellifera), there’s a special scent gland located on the upper side of their abdomen called the Nasonov gland. When bees raise their abdomen and fan their wings, they release a smell from this gland to help guide other bees. This is especially important when bees are finding a new hive, returning home, or regrouping after being separated.
The Nasonov gland produces a blend of smells (called a pheromone), including:
Geraniol
Nerol
Citral (includes geranial and neral)
Geranic acid
Farnesol
Nerolic acid
Geranial is important because it’s very noticeable and helps bees find their way back to the colony.
Comparison Summary.
Geranial helps bees:
Attract others to a new hive location
Guide foragers back to food or water sources
Bring scattered members of the hive back together
It works like a GPS signal made of scent—helping bees stay organized and connected.
Why Does This Matter?
Learning about geranial and how bees use it helps us understand how important smell is to bee behavior. Beekeepers even use synthetic versions of this scent to manage swarms and help bees find their hives.
Studying this also gives us insights into how to protect bees and support healthy pollination in gardens, farms, and ecosystems.
1. Geraniol
Mode of Action: Acts primarily as a repellent and contact toxicant.
Effects on Varroa:
Repels mites from bees and brood cells.
Inhibits mite reproduction within brood cells.
Some studies report moderate to high mite mortality when exposed to geraniol in vapor or contact form.
Advantages:
Low toxicity to bees.
Natural and biodegradable.
Delivery methods tested: evaporation, fumigation, or integration in slow-release matrices like essential oil pads or thymol-type delivery systems.
Mode of Action: One of the two isomers of citral (along with neral), geranial is more volatile and generally more active.
Effects on Varroa:
Shows significant fumigant and contact toxicity.
Often more potent than geraniol in terms of direct mite mortality.
Potential Synergy:
When combined with other essential oil components (like thymol, eucalyptol), may exhibit enhanced acaricidal effects.
Geranial helps bees:
Attract others to a new hive location
Guide foragers back to food or water sources
Bring scattered members of the hive back together
It works like a GPS signal made of scent—helping bees stay organized and connected.
Considerations
Fast Evaporation
These oils are highly volatile, so sustained-release formulations are key to long-term results.Absorption into Hive Materials
Compounds may soak into wax or wood, reducing their effectiveness.No Known Resistance
Mites haven’t shown resistance yet—but rotating treatments is still smart practice.
What is IPM?
IPM is a proven pest control method that focuses on:
Preventing pest problems before they start
Using safe, science-based solutions
Applying pesticides only when absolutely necessary
Offering long-term results with minimal impact on families, pets, and the environment
How Our IPM Process Works
1. Inspection & Monitoring
We inspect your property in Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, or Big Lake to find out what pests are present and how serious the issue is.2. Pest Identification
Proper identification helps us choose the right treatment—whether it’s ants, spiders, rodents, bed bugs, or other common Alaska pests.3. Prevention First
We address the root cause of pest problems by:Sealing cracks and entry points
Reducing moisture and food sources
Making your space less inviting to pests
4. Non-Chemical Control
We use traps, physical barriers, and sanitation to solve pest issues—without reaching for chemicals first.5. Targeted Treatment (Only If Needed)
If pesticides are necessary, we apply them carefully and only where needed using safe, regulated products.6. Follow-Up & Monitoring
We check back to ensure the pests are gone—and stay gone.
Why Choose IPM in Alaska?
✅ Safer for your kids, pets, and property
✅ Less reliance on harsh chemicals
✅ Effective, long-term pest control
✅ Eco-friendly and responsible
Mosquitoes Have Six Mouthparts (Not Just One “Stinger”)
When a mosquito bites, it actually uses six different needle-like structures called stylets, not just a single straw.
Two mandibles and two maxillae are like tiny saws that cut through your skin.
One stylet injects saliva (with anticoagulants and mild anesthetics).
The other is a feeding tube that sucks up your blood.
🧪 2. Their Saliva Makes You Itch
Mosquitoes don’t just suck blood—they spit in you first!
Their saliva contains enzymes that prevent your blood from clotting, but your immune system sees it as an invader and causes itching and swelling.
🔍 3. Only Females Bite—and Only for Eggs
Male mosquitoes feed only on nectar.
Females bite because they need the protein from blood to develop their eggs.
🛠️ 4. Their Mouthparts Are Super-Flexible
Mosquitoes can bend and adjust their stylets while probing for a blood vessel. It’s like a surgical tool with built-in sensors!
🧬 5. They Can Taste With Their Mouthparts
Mosquitoes have chemosensory receptors on their mouthparts that help them “taste” and detect chemicals in your blood, determining whether you’re a good target.
🦷 6. They Saw Into Your Skin
The maxillae move back and forth like tiny saw blades, helping them saw into your flesh painlessly (until your body reacts).
🏗️ 7. Their Proboscis Can Penetrate Clothing
In many cases, the mosquito’s needle-like stylets can pierce through tight weaves in clothing, especially if it’s thin or stretched.
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) have several specialized glands that produce substances crucial for their survival
1. Hypopharyngeal Glands
Location: In the heads of worker bees.
Function: Produce royal jelly and brood food.
Active in: Nurse bees (young workers, about 5–15 days old).
Interesting fact: These glands shrink when bees become foragers and expand again if they revert to nursing duties.
2. Mandibular Glands
Location: Near the mandibles (jaws).
Function:
In queens: Produce queen pheromones that regulate colony behavior and suppress worker reproduction.
In workers: Help produce brood food and, in older workers, contribute to alarm pheromones.
Notable compound: 9-oxo-2-decenoic acid (9-ODA) – a major queen pheromone.
3. Wax Glands
Location: On the underside of the abdomen (segments 4–7) of worker bees.
Function: Secrete wax used to build comb.
Active in: Middle-aged worker bees (about 12–18 days old).
Fact: Wax is secreted as tiny flakes and manipulated with the legs and mandibles.
4. Nasonov Gland
Location: At the tip of the abdomen in worker bees.
Function: Produces a pheromone used for orientation and recruitment.
Used in: Swarm coordination and guiding nestmates to food or the hive.
5. Dufour’s Gland
Location: Near the sting apparatus in queens and workers.
Function:
In queens: Related to egg-laying.
In workers: May signal egg-laying attempts or help with recognition.
Interaction with: The gland works in tandem with other reproductive signals.
6. Arnhart (Footprint) Glands
Location: In the tarsi (feet) of worker bees and queens.
Function: Secrete a chemical “footprint” that marks surfaces.
Purpose: Used in trail marking and identifying visited flowers or comb cells.
7. Sting-Associated Glands
Include: Acid gland and alkaline gland.
Function: Combine to produce venom.
Venom use: Defense – injected into predators or threats.
Contains: Melittin (a pain-inducing peptide), phospholipase A2, and other toxins.
🐝 Amazing Facts About Honey Bee Anatomy
1. Three-Part Body Structure
Every honey bee has three main body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Each section plays a critical role in the bee’s daily tasks like flying, feeding, and pollinating.
2. Five Eyes for Enhanced Vision
Yes, honey bees have five eyes! Two large compound eyes help detect motion and color, while three smaller ocelli on top of their head sense light and help with navigation.
3. Sensitive Antennae
Their antennae are packed with sensory organs that detect smells, temperature, and vibrations—essential tools for communication and finding food.
4. Powerful Wings
Bees have two pairs of wings that beat around 200 times per second, allowing them to fly up to 15 miles per hour while carrying pollen or nectar.
5. Hairy Helpers
Tiny hairs cover their bodies, helping them trap pollen as they move from flower to flower. These hairs also give bees a strong sense of touch and awareness of air movement.
6. Pollen Baskets
On their hind legs, honey bees have special structures called pollen baskets (or corbiculae) that store pollen during foraging trips.
7. Barbed Stinger
Female worker bees have a barbed stinger, which can only be used once. When they sting, the stinger stays behind, which is fatal to the bee but protects the hive.
8. Nectar-Sipping Tongue
Bees use a long, straw-like proboscis to sip nectar from deep inside flowers—a key part of their role as pollinators.
🐝 Amazing Facts About Honey Bee Eyes
Did you know honey bees have five eyes? These unique eyes help them fly, find flowers, and even see things humans can’t!
👀 1. Five Eyes Total
2 Compound Eyes – On the sides of their head, made of thousands of tiny lenses.
3 Simple Eyes (Ocelli) – On top of their head, used to sense light and help with flying.
🌈 2. They See Colors Differently
Bees see blue, green, and ultraviolet (UV) light.
They can’t see red – it looks black to them!
Many flowers reflect UV light, which acts like a secret map to nectar.
🔍 3. Super Motion Detectors
Their eyes catch fast movements much better than humans.
This helps them avoid danger and zip through flowers with ease.
🔅 4. Built-In Sun Compass
Honey bees can detect polarized light, helping them navigate even on cloudy days.
🐝 5. Drone Eyes Are Bigger!
Male bees (drones) have huge compound eyes to help them spot the queen during mating flights.
Honey bees have two stomachs:
Honey Stomach (also called the crop):
Used only for storing nectar during foraging.
Can hold about 70 mg of nectar, almost its own body weight.
This is where nectar begins the process of becoming honey — enzymes like invertase are added here.
Digestive Stomach (or true stomach):
Used for digesting food the bee needs for energy.
After delivering nectar to the hive, the bee may feed herself using this stomach.
🍯 How Honey is Made (Stomach Edition)
While in the honey stomach, the enzyme invertase breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose.
Back in the hive, nectar is regurgitated (yes, literally thrown up) and passed to another bee to continue processing.
The nectar is then placed in a honeycomb cell and fanned with wings to evaporate water, turning it into honey.
Bees can move nectar between the honey stomach and digestive stomach depending on what they need — energy or honey production.
This helps them prioritize survival or food storage as needed.
⚖️ Tiny but Mighty
The honey stomach is so efficient that it allows a bee to visit 50–100 flowers per trip.
It’s also critical for pollination, since bees often get covered in pollen while foraging for nectar.
Did you know that honey bee hair plays a crucial role in pollination and survival? Learn more about the fascinating functions of hair in honey bee anatomy:
1. Pollen Collection Power
Honey bees are covered in thousands of tiny, feather-like hairs. These specialized hairs are designed to trap and collect pollen efficiently as bees move from flower to flower. This helps with pollination and supports healthy ecosystems.
2. Hairy Eyes for Better Vision
Even the compound eyes of honey bees have hair! These eye hairs help keep dust and pollen away, improving visibility during flight and flower visits.
3. Electrostatic Attraction
As bees fly, their bodies become positively charged. When they land on flowers, the negatively charged pollen sticks to the hairs on their bodies. This electrostatic effect makes honey bee hair essential for effective pollen transfer.
4. Sensory Detection
Some honey bee hairs are connected to nerves and act as sensory organs. These hairs help bees smell and sense chemicals in their environment—important for finding flowers and communicating with the hive.
5. Grooming for Health
Worker bees often engage in mutual grooming (allogrooming), helping each other clean pollen and parasites off their hairy bodies. This grooming behavior supports bee hygiene and colony health.
6. Hair Indicates a Bee’s Role
Bees returning from foraging trips are usually covered in pollen, while guard bees near the hive entrance tend to be more groomed. The condition of their hair can give insight into a honey bee’s specific job within the colony.
These facts show just how incredible honey bee hair really is. It’s not just for looks—it’s an essential part of how bees pollinate, communicate, and survive.
Facts About Honey Bee Brooding
At Mosquito Guard, we’re not just experts in pest control—we’re passionate about protecting beneficial insects like honey bees, which play a critical role in our ecosystem. Understanding how honey bee brooding works helps us create eco-friendly pest control solutions that target harmful bugs while preserving the good.
1. What Is Honey Bee Brood?
Honey bee brood includes all developing stages of bees—eggs, larvae, and pupae—raised inside wax honeycomb cells. A strong brood population is vital to the survival of any bee colony.
2. Queen Bees Lay Up to 2,000 Eggs Per Day
During peak season, a single queen bee can lay between 1,500 and 2,000 eggs per day. She places one egg in each wax cell, typically in a tight, healthy pattern that beekeepers use to gauge colony health.
Mosquitoes have a relatively simple digestive system, consisting of:
- Mouthparts (Proboscis): Used to pierce skin and suck blood (only females feed on blood).
- Pharynx and Esophagus: Channels food from the mouth to the gut.
- Midgut: Main site of digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Hindgut: Absorbs water and prepares waste for excretion.
Malpighian Tubules: Act like kidneys, filtering waste from the blood.
Mosquitoes feed on two different types of meals:
- Nectar (Males and Females): Provides sugars for energy.
- Blood (Females Only): Supplies proteins and iron necessary for egg development.
Adaptations for Different Meals:
- Sugary meals are stored temporarily in the crop.
Blood meals bypass the crop and go straight to the midgut for digestion.
Midgut Specialization
The midgut is protected by a peritrophic matrix, a semipermeable membrane.
This matrix helps block harmful pathogens while allowing nutrient absorption.
Digestive enzymes like proteases break down proteins in blood.
Waste Management
Nitrogenous waste (primarily uric acid) is produced during digestion.
The Malpighian tubules remove waste and pass it to the hindgut.
After a blood meal, mosquitoes rapidly expel excess water to lighten body weight for flight.
Waste Management
Nitrogenous waste (primarily uric acid) is produced during digestion. The Malpighian tubules remove waste and pass it to the hindgut.
After a blood meal, mosquitoes rapidly expel excess water to lighten body weight for flight.
3. Worker Bees Are the Caretakers
Nurse bees, a type of young worker bee, feed and care for the larvae. First, they feed royal jelly, and later a mix of pollen and nectar (also known as bee bread) to help the brood grow.
4. Brood Needs Stable Temperature and Humidity
For healthy development, the brood nest must stay between 93–95°F (34–35°C). Worker bees regulate this by fanning their wings and clustering together—showing just how smart and self-regulating bee colonies are.
5. Types of Brood in the Hive
There are three types of honey bee brood:
Worker brood (females doing all the work)
Drone brood (males, raised in larger cells)
Queen brood (raised in special vertical queen cups)
Each plays a key role in hive sustainability.
6. Brood Patterns Signal Colony Health
A tight, solid brood pattern means a healthy queen and a thriving hive. Gaps or “spotty” brood patterns can signal problems like disease, pesticide exposure, or queen failure.