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Mosquitoes Continue To Turn Up In Triangle

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RALEIGH, N.C. — With the threat of West Nile Virus, some people are being extra careful going out at night, but some types of mosquitoes can bite during the day.

Willie Sue Currin is helping her husband with some jobs around the house. These days, she does not spend much time outdoors because of mosquitoes.

"Well, they've been awful. In fact, we've staying in all summer," she said.

Dr. Charles Apperson, a mosquito researcher at N.C. State University, said North Carolina is now home to more than 50 different types of mosquitoes.

There was a time not so long ago that you needed to worry about being bitten by a mosquito at dusk or dawn, but with foreign mosquitos making their way to North Carolina, all of that has changed.

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Asian tiger mosquitoes and Asian bush mosquitoes are day biters and can carry West Nile virus. Apperson said while the Asian variety of mosquitoes bite humans, most other kinds do not.

"Some feed only on frogs, toads and snakes. Others only feed on large mammals. Others feed on birds," he said.

All mosquitoes need a blood meal from something to produce eggs. Once mature, experts said they live, at most, two to three weeks. Mosquito eggs can lie dormant for months, waiting for water and a chance to spring to life, which is why experts say it is so important to keep containers around your home dry.

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