Picture this: You’re snug in your bed, ready to drift into dreamland, when suddenly you hear that infuriating high-pitched buzz next to your ear. Flailing your arms to swat it away in the darkness, you wonder in frustration: How long do mosquitoes live indoors?
This article will explore how long mosquitoes live indoors, why they are drawn there, and how to control them. Let’s check it out.
How Long Do Mosquitoes Live Indoors?
Great question! Although it varies depending on the species, mosquitoes’ typical average indoor lifespan ranges from approximately four days to a month. After the blood meal, the adult female mosquito can survive for roughly three weeks indoors. However, it is important to note that not all types of mosquitoes can live for extended periods in these conditions.
Male mosquitoes typically have a shorter lifespan, ranging from six to nine days. Unlike female mosquitoes, males do not bite. Instead, their primary focus is to seek out an adult female mosquito for mating.
Why Do You Have Mosquitoes In Your House?
- You leave your windows and doors open, and they fly right in.
- House screens may have holes or rips in them.
- They follow you into your house from outside if you leave the door open too long — especially if you live near swampy areas with standing water.
- They seek out the CO2 in your breath as you exhale.
- They need to escape colder outdoor temperatures. Mosquitoes cannot survive below 50 degrees Fahrenheit unless they are a species that goes into dormancy.
- They need to stay cool during the warm months. On hot summer days, a mosquito needs to stay away from the sun so it doesn’t dehydrate.
How Can You Control Mosquitoes Indoors?
Photo Credit: Imáges de Ana Belen / Canva Pro / License
To control mosquitoes indoors and prevent mosquito bites, safeguard your house with these helpful tips:
- Refresh your houseplants during late summer. Keep the pots clean, empty water from the saucer, refresh the soil, and wipe down the leaves if they are flat. This will disrupt and eliminate any mosquito nests before mosquitoes enter dormancy.
- Fill your home with scented candles to repel mosquitoes because they hate certain smells.
- Add natural repellents around your house, like lavender and garlic, from which you can make a homemade mosquito repellent.
- Install insect screens, windows, and doors to keep mosquitoes away. They are quite effective in keeping the mosquitoes at bay.
- Use mosquito repellent on your skin to prevent mosquitoes from coming close to bite you.
- Install mosquito traps around your home. Various mosquito traps are available, and you can decide which will work for you. Don’t want to shell out any cash? Check out these simple and effective DIY mosquito traps that use materials you probably already have around your home.
- Purchase a mosquito net canopy for your bed to prevent them from feasting on your blood while you sleep.
- Give attention to dark, humid places because mosquitoes love these areas — showers, under sinks, laundry rooms, and in closets. So be vigilant about taking care of these areas:
At least once a week, empty and scrub any items holding water, such as vases or flowerpot saucers, to remove mosquito eggs and larvae.
If all else fails, once you’ve repaired your screens, scrubbed, and emptied any standing water, you can use an indoor insecticide (indoor insect spray or fogger) if mosquitoes are still in your home.
Can Mosquitoes Lay Eggs In Your Home?
Yes, female mosquitoes can lay eggs inside your home, usually around stagnant water. Popular indoor hangout areas are your kitchen, bathroom, and attached garage. They also love houseplants because their saucers typically have standing water.
FAQ
To keep mosquitoes outside of your home, you can:
• Install or repair window and door screens.
• Close exterior doors, including garage doors.
• Use air conditioning when possible.
Three species of Culex mosquitoes are especially attracted to an indoor environment: the common house mosquito (Culex pipiens), Southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus), and Western encephalitis mosquito (Culex tarsalis).
These Culex mosquitoes prefer to live near residential areas because the indoor environments provide everything they need to survive: warmer temperatures, food (dogs, cats, and humans), and optimal conditions (dark, humid spaces out of the sunlight and strong breezes).
Note: Typically, it takes seven to 10 days for Culex mosquito eggs to develop into adult mosquitoes. With the proper mosquito control measures, you can prevent an infestation.
Some mosquitoes are more “nuisance” mosquitoes that don’t spread germs or bite humans or animals, like the male mosquito. But some species of mosquitoes put us at risk for the mosquito-borne diseases they carry. These include but aren’t limited to:
• Aedesaegypti: Zika, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever
• Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito): – Dengue, chikungunya, Zika
• Culex sp.: St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus
• Anopheles sp.: Malaria
Note: Some of these adult female mosquitoes can follow you indoors from outside. Culex sp. aren’t the only species that can be found indoors; other adult mosquitoes might also find your home quite comfy.
Call In The Pros
Tired of itchy days and sleepless nights? Pest Gnome connects you to the best pest control experts in your area. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you can sleep like a baby without swatting those pesky intruders in the darkness of your bedroom.
Main Image Credit: Pimun Khrutmuang’s Images / Canva Pro / License
