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Mosquitoes are one of the most important insect pests that affect the health and wellbeing of humans and domestic animals worldwide. They can cause a variety of health problems due to their ability to transfer (vector) viruses and other disease-causing pathogens even in the arid Southwest. Female mosquitoes require a blood meal for egg production, and they can produce a painful bite as they feed. While feeding they can transmit to humans and other animals─brain inflammation (encephalitis), dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria and filariasis. The most susceptible to the effects of these mosquito-borne pathogens are children and the elderly. However, in some instances life-threatening illness and/or permanent debilitation can occur in infected human hosts of any age.