Mosquitoes are small, blood-feeding flies (Order: Diptera, Family: Culicidae). Most species are only 1/8 - 1/4” long. Adult mosquitoes have two wings and a long needle-like mouth (called a proboscis). Immature stages of mosquitoes are aquatic and do not resemble the adults. Mosquito larvae are elongated and often have a long respiratory siphon, while pupae are comma-shaped and have two smaller…

Ticks are parasitic arachnids that require blood for their development. Adult ticks are easily distinguished from insects based on the number of legs and body regions present. Adult insects have six legs and three major body regions, while adult ticks have eight legs and two major body regions.

Yellowjackets are aggressive, stinging wasps from the genus Vespula and Dolichovespula that typically have a yellow and black banded abdomen. There are several local species that fit this description. Yellowjackets can easily be distinguished from paper wasps, which comparatively have a longer waist and legs.