A: There are about 3,500 species of mosquitoes. The most common in the United States are the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can carry diseases like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. There are many ways to prevent mosquito bites, including using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and staying indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.