Content updated: September 16, 2026

Key takeaways

  • Zika and Chikungunya are mosquito viruses primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which are becoming a greater concern as travel and weather patterns change.
  • Zika may cause fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes, while Chikungunya is known for sudden fever and severe joint pain.
  • Aedes mosquitoes can thrive in backyards, breeding in small amounts of standing water and biting aggressively during the day.
  • To help prevent the risks associated with mosquito viruses, eliminate standing water, stay informed about local mosquito activity, and utilize professional mosquito treatments to create a barrier zone.

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Understanding the Zika and Chikungunya viruses

Why Aedes mosquitoes are a unique threat to backyards

Essential steps to reduce mosquito breeding grounds

Professional mosquito barrier treatments for at-home protection

As global travel and shifting weather patterns are changing where mosquitoes can survive and spread, diseases once associated primarily with tropical regions are becoming a greater concern in the United States. Zika and Chikungunya are two mosquito viruses spread primarily by the invasive Aedes mosquito species. This mosquito can transmit these diseases through its bites. Understanding how Zika and Chikungunya spread, their symptoms, and the risks they pose can help you take steps to protect yourself and your community.

Macro photo of a black and white striped Aedes mosquito inserting its needle-like proboscis into human skin.

Understanding the Zika and Chikungunya viruses

Zika and Chikungunya are two diseases caused by mosquitoes that originated in tropical regions of Africa and Asia, where they circulated primarily among mosquitoes and animal hosts for decades. Global travel eventually helped both viruses reach new parts of the world.

Zika outbreaks in the U.S. in 2015 and 2016 led to a sharp increase in travel-associated cases, along with transmission in Florida and Texas.1 Chikungunya followed a similar path: after local transmission was first identified in the Caribbean in late 2013, cases appeared among U.S. travelers and local transmission was reported in Florida and Texas in 2014.2

While Zika and Chikungunya are well-known mosquito viruses, they are less familiar to U.S. residents than other diseases, such as West Nile virus. West Nile virus is more widespread and one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the country, while Zika and Chikungunya are more often associated with travel outside the U.S.

Zika virus symptoms and transmission

Zika is primarily spread by infected yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedesaegypti) and Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedesalbopictus). These mosquitoes can bite during the day or night. Many people infected with Zika virus have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they’re usually mild and may include:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Rash
  • Joint pain
  • Red eyes

Symptoms typically appear a few days after infection and can last several days to about a week. Most people recover without specific medical treatment.

Zika can spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, but it can also be passed through sex. A pregnant person can also pass the virus to their fetus during pregnancy or to their baby around the time of birth. While Zika infection is usually mild, infection during pregnancy can cause serious congenital disabilities. Because of this risk, Zika is especially concerning for people who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Front-view macro shot of an Aedes mosquito with distinctive white-striped legs and thorax resting on a human finger.

Chikungunya virus symptoms and transmission

Chikungunya is another mosquito virus primarily transmitted by infected yellow fever and Asian tiger mosquitoes. The virus spreads when an infected mosquito bites a person, or when a mosquito picks up the virus by biting someone who is already infected. The mosquito can then transmit the virus to another person through a bite.

Chikungunya typically begins with a sudden fever and severe joint pain, which can be debilitating. Other symptoms can include:

  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint swelling
  • Rash

Most people begin feeling better within a week, and the acute symptoms typically resolve within 7–10 days. However, the joint pain can linger for months, and in some cases, years. There is no specific medicine that cures Chikungunya, so treatment focuses on rest, fluids, and managing symptoms.

Why Aedes mosquitoes are a unique threat to backyards

Close-up profile of an Aedes mosquito biting skin, showing a swollen red abdomen fully engorged with blood.

Aedes mosquitoes can be a challenging species around homes because they thrive in small sources of standing water. Two species of concern are the Asian tiger mosquito and the yellow fever mosquito. Both species can spread viruses such as Zika and Chikungunya.

Aedes mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters. They can also breed in surprisingly small amounts of water, including water collected in flowerpot saucers, tires, and other containers around your yard. Their eggs can survive drying out for months, allowing them to hatch once they’re exposed to water again.

Essential steps to reduce mosquito breeding grounds

A few simple habits can help prevent Aedes mosquitoes from breeding around your home. Make these simple steps part of your weekly yard routine:

  • Tip and toss standing water: Empty water from plant saucers, tires, toys, buckets, and other outdoor containers at least once a week.
  • Scrub containers: After emptying them, scrub the sides to remove mosquito eggs that may be stuck to the surface and survive after the water dries.
  • Clear drainage areas: Clean out rain gutters and make sure drain lines are free of debris and draining properly.
  • Don't overlook small containers: Even a small amount of standing water can give Aedes mosquitoes a place to lay eggs.

Professional mosquito barrier treatments for at-home protection

Removing standing water can help reduce mosquito breeding sites, but it may not eliminate adult mosquitoes already in your yard. During the hottest parts of the day, Aedes mosquitoes tend to rest in shaded areas, such as the undersides of leaves and dense foliage. Professional mosquito barrier treatments can target these resting areas and help reduce mosquito activity around your property. For added protection, you can also take a few steps to prevent mosquitoes:

  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and other protective clothing when spending time outdoors.
  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent according to the label.
  • Keep doors and windows closed or use screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
  • Continue removing standing water around your property each week.

It’s also helpful to stay informed about mosquito viruses in your area. Check updates from your local or state health department and the CDC for information about reported cases and mosquito activity.

If mosquitoes are making it difficult to enjoy your yard, schedule an inspection with a Terminix expert. Our professionals can identify potential breeding and resting areas and develop a treatment plan tailored to your property.

1 Information sourced from: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/zika-cases-us/index.html Accessed on 8/12/2026.
2 Information sourced from: https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/data-maps/chikungunya-us.html Accessed on 8/12/2026.