Sprinkler Magician
March 24, 2022
Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying indicators that consistent warm weather is coming.
To minimize your exposure to these pesky insects and maximize your outdoor enjoyment, you need to stop them at their source.
In this post, we will help you identify some of their favorite places to live so you can effectively keep them at bay.
Where Do Mosquitoes Live When They are Developing?
During the first three stages of a mosquito’s life, it will live in water.
Water provides value for mosquitoes during these early stages of life. It offers protection, hydration, and food for growth and further development.
A female mosquito will seek out blood to nourish her eggs shortly before laying them – yes, this is the reason for mosquito bites! Then, the female mosquito will find standing water to lay her eggs in.
If there happens to be a drought, she will lay eggs somewhere she hopes will eventually get water, as her eggs can stay viable for months without water.
When mosquito eggs are exposed to water, they begin development and feed on decaying plant matter or bacteria until they are old enough to leave the water.
The lifecycle of a mosquito is short. Depending on the mosquito species, weather conditions, and food availability, mosquitoes can go from eggs to flying adults in four to thirty days.
Where Do Mosquitoes Live As Adults?
When mosquitoes leave their respective water source, they quickly find a place to live. Some common places you will find mosquitoes living include:
- Hollow logs
- Tall grass
- Leaf and grass piles
- Under tarps
- Flowerbeds
- Shrubs/Bushes
- Crawlspaces
4 Characteristics of a Perfect Home for Mosquitoes
While they aren’t very picky about where they live, a good home for mosquitoes needs these four attributes:
- Humidity
Mosquitoes will not thrive in dry climates because they will dehydrate.
Their bodies can’t hold much water, so they rely on the moisture in the air to keep them alive. When mosquitoes dehydrate, they shrivel up and die.
- Food
The primary food source for mosquitoes is plant nectar. They need the sugars it contains for energy.
However, a mosquito population is not sustainable without blood. The females need to consume blood to nourish their eggs. Without it, the mosquito population could not survive.
- Standing Water
Water with little to no flow is vital for mosquito reproduction.
Males can usually get their hydration from the plants they feed on, but females need a water source to lay their eggs. Since female mosquitoes choose to live near water, their male counterparts will, too, so they can reproduce.
- Protection
Mosquitoes need protection from predators and weather.
Birds, frogs, and other insects are common predators of mosquitoes, so hiding out limits their risk of being eaten. Also, it protects them from storms, high winds, and extreme heat.
Do Mosquitoes Live in Nests?
Mosquitoes don’t make nests like bees, ants, and some other insects because they are not social creatures. Mosquitoes are insects of opportunity – they seek out places to live that already exist.
How To Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Unfortunately, getting rid of mosquitoes entirely is nearly impossible. However, there are several actions you can take to reduce how many live around you.
Maintain Your Lawn
If you don’t keep up with your lawn, hundreds of mosquitoes can prosper between the blades. It’s the perfect environment for them: The dew keeps them hydrated, and the length hides them and makes them feel protected.
Remove Leaf and Grass Piles
Piles of leaves or grass tend to hold moisture and offer a lot of protection for mosquitoes. This combination makes leaf and grass piles a perfect place for mosquitoes to live.
Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants
While some mosquitoes like to live in flower beds, there are plenty of beautiful plants that repel mosquitoes.
Several plants offer mosquitoes protection from direct sunlight and storms. Depending on the flowers, they could also provide them with an easy meal.
However, growing certain plants in your yard, such as marigolds or lavender, can help keep mosquitoes away.
Mosquito-repelling plants contain chemical compounds that allow them to naturally repel mosquitoes and other harmful critters. Common compounds that give plants bug repellent properties are pyrethrins and linalool:
- Pyrethrins are the main reason why marigolds and chrysanthemums tend to have a musty odor, which mosquitoes hate.
- On the other hand, linalool is usually associated with a pleasant, flowery scent. In fact, it is often used as a fragrance in dryer sheets.
Use an Effective Mosquito Solution
We know keeping mosquitoes away isn’t easy, so we created a mosquito solution that actually works!
Our Mosquito Magician formula works great to keep mosquitoes away from wherever you spray it. As a bonus, it is completely safe to use around kids and pets, when used as directed.
Ready to Keep Mosquitoes Away for Good?
It’s important to stop mosquitoes at their source. Knowing where they like to live is step one. Step two involves getting rid of any potential mosquito hideouts and using a mosquito repellent to keep any adult mosquitoes at bay.
Our mosquito solution is the perfect solution to deter mosquitoes from living in and around your home. Try Mosquito Magician today!