Why are there so many mosquitoes in my house?

Among the many unpleasant things the summer brings with it, mosquitoes are probably the worst of the lot. If you live in a humid, hot place, chances are that you’re already spraying yourself with mosquito repellent every time you step out of the home.

However, when mosquitoes find ways to enter your home is when you really sit up and take notice. Not only are mosquito bites itchy and irritating, but mosquitoes carry diseases such as malaria and dengue. In fact, mosquitoes kill more people every year than any other animal. 

In this short read, we’re going to explain why mosquito populations explode at certain times of the year, why they may suddenly be in your home and what pest control options you have to prevent mosquitoes from infesting your home.

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How did these mosquitoes get into my home?

The first thing to do is to confirm that the insects you have in your home are actually mosquitoes. In the US, the average mosquito size is between 0.15 and 0.4 inches in length and it’s generally the female mosquitoes that are responsible for the biting. Something that tiny could get in through even very partially open doors and windows.

However, people often mistake other tiny biting and non-biting insects such as mites and gnats to be tiny mosquitoes. Similarly, they also mistake more giant insects like crane flies, which do look a lot like mosquitoes, and mayflies, which share similar habitats, to be large mosquitoes. However, neither mayflies nor crane flies bite or transmit diseases.

These insects are attracted to our homes by a lot of things, ranging from lights to food waste and excess moisture.

Mosquitoes, like the rest of these critters, can find their way into our homes via carports, open doors, open windows, poorly sealed windows, damaged door screens, and garages.

Are mosquitoes breeding in my home?

Mosquitoes breed wherever they find stagnant water, and prefer hot and humid weather. This is why summers are when we see the most number of mosquitoes around. Places outside your home that could make ideal breeding grounds for these pests include birdbaths, toys with standing water in them, discarded tires, and garbage cans.

Even inside your home, something as simple as standing water in the pot of an indoor plant that you have watered too many forms the ideal environment for mosquitoes to lay their eggs and for mosquito larvae to thrive. 

Once these larvae grow into adults, you will find the mosquitoes resting on the leaves of these plants and zipping around your house trying to make a meal out of your blood or the blood of your pets.

A common misconception is that mosquitoes die out during the winters. While some mosquito species do die when the weather drops below 50 degrees, others simply hibernate. Once the temperature becomes warmer, even if it is only for a day, they become active and start looking for a meal again.

How can I get rid of the mosquitoes in my home?

There are plenty of ways you could get rid of mosquitoes indoors. For example, bug sprays and foggers work to repel mosquitoes to a certain extent.

While mosquito trap and insect zapper manufacturers claim that their product kills mosquitoes, this can control their presence to a certain extent. Newer models of mosquito traps use carbon dioxide to imitate a person breathing to attract mosquitoes and kill them.

However, the only true form of mosquito control is to prevent them from breeding.

How can I prevent mosquitoes from breeding in and around my home?

If you want a mosquito-free home, the only effective way to achieve it is to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in and around your home. 

Mosquitoes are attracted to your home mainly by the presence of standing water. Everything from your pets’ watering bowls and bird baths to pools of standing water in your garden could be the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Make sure that is addressed, and you will definitely see a reduction in the number of mosquitoes around your home.

Adding mosquito screens to your doors and windows is one of the most effective ways to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. However, that will mean you will need to keep an eye on the screens and address small tears before they become large enough to start letting mosquitoes in.

Some plants, such as citronella grass, rosemary, and peppermint are also effective repellents. Planting these around your home is sure to help control mosquitoes.

Call professionals before it gets out of hand

If you’re facing a severe mosquito outbreak in your home, normal methods of mosquito control may not be sufficient. You may need to get your house fumigated by a professional pest control company, and immediately address the reasons for the outbreak, even if that means investing in a home improvement project. 

After all, the health of our families as well as our own well-being ought to always come first.

Written by Narayan Shrouthy. August 22, 2022

Narayan is a content writer for Kukun. With experience in both content writing and editing, Narayan mixes his writing and love for reading with his passion for music. As an active musician, He aims to be a key player in Kukun's content experience.