Mosquitoes are blood-feeding insects that transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya. They also bite humans, causing discomfort and sometimes serious health problems.
Mosquito lifespan varies depending on their species and environmental conditions. For example, female mosquitoes live for only two days after mating. On average, male mosquitoes live for around three weeks.
Mosquito’s Life Cycle
The mosquito life cycle is divided into four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water or moist soil. The larvae hatch from the eggs and grow through five instars before becoming adults. Adult females feed on nectar or blood to produce eggs and males mate with them.
Eggs
A female mosquito lays about 20–30 eggs at a time. She can lay up to 200 eggs during her lifetime. Eggs take between one and two months to hatch.
Larvae
Larvae grow rapidly and develop within 10–14 days. At this stage, they look like tiny maggots. After hatching, larvae undergo five molts (moults) until they become fully developed adults.
Pupae
After completing the fifth molt, larvae turn into pupae. Pupae usually remain in the same place where they were hatched for several hours to a few days. During this period, they secrete a waxy substance called “pupal cuticle” that protects them from predators and parasites.
Adult
After emerging from the pupal case, adult mosquitoes feed on nectar and blood. Females lay eggs while males die soon after mating.
Mosquito Lifespan
Mosquitoes have different lifespans based on their species. Some of these include:
• Aedes Aegypti – lives for 2–3 days
• Anopheles Albimanus – lives for 3–4 days
• Anopheline Funestus – lives for 5–7 days
• Coquillettidia Chironomi – lives for 8–10 days
• Culiseta Melanura – lives for 12–15 days
• Mansonia Uniformis – lives for 15–20 days
• Psorophora Curtipes – lives for 30–40 days
• Trichoprosopon Faenatum – lives for 40–50 days
• Wyeomyia Vanellus – lives for 50–60 days
How Long Do Mosquitoes Live Indoors?
Mosquitoes need warm temperatures and plenty of food to survive. If you keep your house well ventilated, it will be easy for mosquitoes to find places to hide and breed indoors. However, if you install screens or close windows and doors, mosquitoes won’t be able to enter your home.
In addition, you should make sure there are no standing pools of water near your home. Standing pools of water provide ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. You can eliminate these by draining any puddles of rainwater or cleaning out birdbaths.
Mosquitoes can survive for more than a year without feeding on people or animals. But when they do feed, they can carry disease-causing organisms such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and worms. These diseases can cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rashes.
How Long Do Mosquitoes Live Without Blood?
Mosquitoes don’t need blood to survive. They can get enough nutrients from other sources, including plants, insects, and even human beings. When mosquitoes bite humans, they inject saliva containing anticoagulants that prevent blood from clotting. This allows the insect to suck blood easily.
If you want to avoid getting bitten, wear light colored clothing so mosquitoes can see you better. Also, use bug repellent containing DEET to protect yourself against bites.
How long do mosquitoes live after they bite you?
The average lifespan of an infected mosquito is about 24 hours. The time between being bitten and becoming infectious depends on the type of virus carried by the mosquito. For example, some types of viruses stay alive longer inside mosquitoes than others.
Where do mosquitoes breed?
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, which includes ponds, ditches, and small streams. It also includes containers with standing water, like buckets, barrels, flower pots, and tires.
Mosquitoes breed best at night. So, if you notice mosquitoes around dusk, then you know they’re looking for somewhere to lay their eggs.
What happens if I get bit by a mosquito?
When a mosquito bites you, its mouthparts puncture your skin and inject saliva into your body. The saliva contains chemicals that stop your blood from clotting. Then, the mosquito sucks up your blood.
After sucking your blood, the mosquito lays its eggs in a place where it can hatch later. In most cases, this means a container filled with water.
After laying her eggs, the female mosquito leaves. She may die soon afterward, but she doesn’t always. Some females continue to fly until they die. Others become inactive and eventually die.
Can Mosquitoes Survive in Winter?
Yes, mosquitoes can survive in winter. They need cold weather to reproduce. During the colder months, mosquitoes tend to congregate in areas with lots of vegetation. This includes parks, golf courses, cemeteries, and wooded areas.
How Can I Prevent Mosquito Bites?
You can reduce the number of mosquito bites you receive by wearing protective clothing and using insect repellents.
Protective Clothing: Wear clothes made of natural fibers, such as cotton. Avoid synthetic fabrics because they attract mosquitoes.
Insect Repellents: Use products labeled “DEET” or “picaridin.” Products containing these active ingredients are safe and effective. They work by irritating the eyes, nose, and throat of mosquitoes. They also help keep mosquitoes away from you.
Keep Your Yard Clean: Mosquitoes love places with standing water. If you have a pool or pond in your yard, make sure there’s no debris floating in it. Remove any weeds growing near the water. And clean out any old tires lying around.
Don’t Leave Water Outdoors: Make sure there isn’t any standing water outdoors. That includes puddles left over from rainstorms, gutters, birdbaths, pet dishes, and other outdoor receptacles.
Keep Your House Clean: Mosquitoes don’t like dirty places. So, keep your house free of clutter. Sweep up fallen leaves and dead insects regularly. Also, check outside lights and fans for bugs before turning them on.
Use Insect Nets: You can use insect nets to protect yourself while sleeping. They prevent mosquitoes from biting you during the day. But, insect nets aren’t 100% effective against all kinds of mosquitoes.
Use Pesticides Safely: Don’t spray pesticides indoors. Spray them only outdoors. Follow label directions carefully when applying pesticides.
Avoid Getting Sunburned: Be careful about getting sunburnt. It makes you more attractive to mosquitoes.
Stay Away From Cattle: Mosquitoes often bite cattle. So, be careful not to step on or touch an animal.
Conclusion
Mosquitoes are annoying creatures. But, if you take steps to avoid being bitten, you won’t have to worry too much about them.
