Summer is coming to a close, but unfortunately, that doesn’t mean the end of mosquito season. As one of the most common and annoying pests in our area, the Accel Pest & Termite Control team is sharing some answers to your most frequently asked questions about mosquitoes.
How many times can one mosquito bite you?
Bees are famous for only stinging one time before dying, but other pests (such as wasps) can inflict pain at will and without abandon. Mosquitoes, unfortunately, are more similar to wasps than bees in that regard.
A female mosquito can and will bite to feed on blood until she’s full. Once she has reached her fill on your blood, she’ll rest for about two to three days before seeking out her next meal. This means that a mosquito doesn’t really have a limit to biting you — they’ll simply keep biting until they’re full.
How long do mosquitoes live?
Female mosquitoes live much longer than male mosquitoes, but they each have a set lifespan that has nothing to do with whether or not they bite. Male mosquitoes only live for about ten days, but female mosquitoes can live for up to 2 months! Female mosquitoes will also lay eggs in and around water sources about once every three days of their adult lives.
Why do mosquitoes bite me and not my spouse?
There are many reasons mosquitoes may seem to be more attracted to you than to friends or family members. Some of these indicators include:
- Clothing color
- Blood type
- Body odor
- Skin bacteria
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- Metabolism
- Alcohol consumption
If you exercise or are active outdoors, you’re likely to be fed on by mosquitoes more often. Movement makes your body temperature increase, and it creates chemicals such as ammonia, lactic acid, and uric acid, which can make you more ‘visible’ to mosquitoes.
Get rid of your mosquito problem and get back to living it up this summer! Call Accel Pest & Termite Control at (757) 384-1302 to schedule an appointment or speak to a member of our team today.