Where can larvae of the house mosquito typically be found?

The larvae of the house mosquito are commonly found in environments that provide suitable breeding conditions, particularly stagnant or slow-moving water. Areas such as tin cans, tires, tree holes, stagnant ditches, and sewage lagoons create perfect habitats because they hold water and are often rich in organic material where larvae can feed and grow.

These breeding sites are critical for the life cycle of mosquitoes, as they lay their eggs in water sources. Stagnant water is preferred because it reduces the risk of being washed away by currents and provides a stable environment for development. Other options like freshwater lakes and rivers might seem plausible for some mosquito species, but house mosquitoes typically favor standing water where they can avoid competition and predation common in flowing water bodies. Similarly, woodlands and grassy fields do not consistently provide standing water for breeding. While commercial storage containers could theoretically house water, they generally do not offer the organic material or water stagnation conditions that effectively support the larval stages as well as the first choice does.