How Long Can a Mosquito Live in a House?

It is like battling with undefeated enemies while dealing with house mosquitoes. When they invade your home, they don’t just frustrate you while sleeping but may also cause several diseases. But how long does a mosquito stay in a house? Is there any way to find out?

In this blog, we will explain your lifespan, how they behave, and the ideal conditions in which mosquitoes can live. All of these understandings will not just help you understand such insects better but also help you in dealing with them.

How Long Can a Mosquito Survive in a House?

The environment plays a major role in mosquitoes’ life cycles. They can survive for 2-4 weeks if they live in an ideal place. Their survival remains the same whether they are indoors or outdoors. However, they may live longer if they live indoors in a house. Mosquitoes live in house even for weeks if no predator surrounds them and the weather doesn’t go extreme.

Female mosquitoes that bite human beings live longer compared to the male ones. If indoor conditions are ideal, the well-fed female mosquito could live for as many as 25 days, but the males’ lifespan is more like a week. The fact that females live longer because they need to suck blood which makes their life sustainable and helps in laying eggs.

One of the major problems of house mosquitoes is that they travel short distances. When inside, they will hover close to their food – human blood. This is why they hang out around sleeping areas, living rooms, and kitchen spaces, awaiting an opportunity to feed. If neglected, they will start laying eggs wherever they find standing water in the house.

Risk of Having Mosquitoes in the House

Mosquitoes can ruin our peace and comfort, and they are dangerous to our health. When female mosquitoes suck human blood, they may also transmit diseases and viruses. However, they do not always do such things.  Some common diseases that mosquitoes bring in are:

• West Nile Virus: This virus includes mild flu-like symptoms and may affect the nervous system in a few cases.
• Dengue Fever: More common in tropical areas, it causes fever, joint pains, and rashes.
• Zika Virus: Highly dangerous for pregnant women as it leads to birth defects.
• Malaria: While rare in certain areas, it can be spread through mosquitos to humans and then human to human.

While mosquitoes are responsible for several diseases, they may cause allergic reactions to a few. Such reactions include minor symptoms like irritation and major ones like excessive scratching. Moreover, mosquitoes may also lead to restlessness and discomfort for humans at night.

Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Indoors?

Mosquitoes don’t just randomly get into houses; there are proper reasons behind this. Some of the reasons why mosquitoes get attracted to indoors are:

• Stagnant Water: Mosquitoes are born in water. Common indoor water sources are plant saucers, clogged drains, and pet water bowls.
• Body Heat & Carbon Dioxide: Mosquitoes use body heat and exhaled breath of CO2 to find their hosts. As the signals get stronger indoors, these mosquitoes become even more capable of detecting people.
• Dark, Hidden Spaces: They like to live and hide in cool, dark spaces such as closets, behind curtains or furniture.

How to Stop Mosquitoes Hiding in Your House

Mosquitoes in dark, damp corners are difficult to find. They remain hidden under furniture, within closets, or around water sources. You can follow these steps to find and eliminate them:

1. Switch off all the lights in the room except a single source of light, such as a lamp or the phone screen. Always remember mosquitoes are naturally drawn to light.
2. Use a flashlight to trace them when they come out from their hiding spot.
3. You can also place mosquito traps in common hiding areas. However, be cautious because a few traps may attract other insects.
4. Always take precautions before using insecticides because they contain dangerous chemicals. Prefer to look for organic repellent or consult with a professional to get a better alternative.

Indoor Mosquitoes at Night: What to Do?

Dusk and dawn are the favorite times for mosquitoes to come out. However, a few of them bite all day. If they irritate you while sleeping, below are some tips for you:

1.   Screens for Windows and Doors

Placing screens on doors and windows is the ideal outer protection for preventing mosquitoes from entering. Check for any holes or tears and replace items that sneaky mosquitoes will not be able to enter.

2.   Take a Shower Before Sleep

Due to sweat and body odor, mosquitoes are attracted to humans. Taking a shower before bedtime can minimize the smell that attracts mosquitoes. A clean body provides a barrier that makes it difficult for mosquitoes to access the signals that guide them to the host.

3.   Wear Covered Clothes

It is easy for mosquitoes to bite through thin clothes. This is why wearing loose and long-sleeved fabric can still offer some protection. Since the materials are thicker, it becomes more difficult for them to reach the skin.

4.   Install a Mosquito Net

When mosquitoes annoy you too much, opt for a mosquito net as a protective measure while sleeping. This simple solution would keep them away from you while ensuring a good night’s rest.

Conclusion

Once mosquitoes get into your home, they don’t just remain a nuisance. Even in an empty house, they can live for weeks and reproduce their colony into thousands. Once you successfully understand their behavior, risks, and what they are attracted to, it will be easy for you to handle them.

Removing stagnant water, sealing entry points, and protecting yourself through nets and screens are some of the ways to get rid of such insects around your home. Always take precautions and protect yourself and your loved ones from such insects.

FAQs

1. How long does a mosquito live without food?

Mosquitoes can survive without feeding for a few days, but female mosquitoes require blood to produce eggs. Without a food source, their lifespan is shorter.

2. Can mosquitoes breed indoors?

If they find suitable water sources, mosquitoes can lay eggs and multiply inside homes. Stagnant water in plant trays, sinks, or pet bowls can serve as breeding grounds.

3. Why do mosquitoes bite at night?

Many mosquito species, especially those carrying diseases, are most active at night. They are drawn to body heat and CO2, making sleeping individuals easy targets.

Keep Your House Safe from Irritating Mosquitoes!

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