Mosquitoes hide in warm dark areas where they can lay eggs and breed. While indoors, they will hide in house plant leaves, wardrobes, under the seats, and any other moist or dark area. When outdoors, they hide under tree leaves, shrubs, tall grasses, gutters, and drains. The places mosquitoes hide are always near their hosts or food sources.

Common areas where mosquitoes hide

Mosquitoes have a habit of going back to the same hiding spot after feeding in order to rest until they are hungry again. The female mosquito will relax, lay eggs, and then, like males, go looking for a source of blood again. Here are some of the main areas where you will find mosquitoes hiding:

1. Trees and shrubs

During the day, when most mosquitoes are not active and looking for blood to suck, they prefer to find cover in trees and shrubs around the home.

Trees and shrubs provide these insects with adequate protection against excess heat, wind, humidity, and carbon dioxide. Mosquitoes may also be camping on trees and shrubs since they have a sufficient supply of nectar of high nutritional value.

If you have or suspect a mosquito problem, check below the surface of foliage leaves.

Cultivate plants that act as natural repellants for mosquitoes around your home. Lavender, marigolds, rosemary, and mint are great options. Even more critical, trim your trees and clear out bushes and shrubs.

2. Tall grasses

Tallgrass in your yard attracts and provides a perfect hiding spot for mosquitoes that is moist and shady. Mow your lawn frequently and trim tall grasses close to your pool, walkways, ponds, and other places on your property.

Cutting tall grasses will eliminate the environment that attracts mosquitoes and minimize their population.

If you still need tall grasses on your property but without mosquitoes, plant ornamental grass such as lemongrass. Lemongrass has a natural oil for scaring away mosquitoes.

3. Under your deck

Below your deck is a suitable environment ripe for mosquito infestation. Other bugs that may also invade under the decks are fleas, spiders, and termites.

Under your decks may attract mosquitoes, especially if there are pools of standing water. The bugs rely on standing water for egg-laying and larvae feeding and growth. So, drain the puddles and fill them with sand. Mosquitoes will be forced to search for other breeding grounds inside or outside your home.

Attracting birds and bats on your property may help you get rid of a mosquito infestation. Since birds and bats naturally feed on mosquitoes, they can control the population of mosquitoes in your yard.

4. Ponds and puddles

A garden pond may make your property appear pretty and welcoming. But, the pond, including birdbaths and puddles, may offer a suitable breeding ground for the blood-sucking insects. Mosquitoes like to lay eggs in still water since their larvae eat the available organic matter.

The pond in your yard should benefit from the proper upkeep to avoid attracting mosquitoes. For example, only raise fish types that can eat mosquito larvae and live with others peacefully, like catfish and bass.

If heavy rain has formed puddles on your property, drain the water quickly.

5. Gutters 

Most homeowners usually fail to maintain or repair their gutters. As a result, gutters will accumulate water and debris, particularly in the form of twigs and leaves. Once the gutters are clogged, they provide an ideal home to mosquitoes.

Since the condition in the gutter promotes breeding, eventually, the bugs will increase in numbers and attack other areas of your home. A mosquito can lay more than 200 eggs at once, and the eggs can hatch within two days.

Check your gutters and clean them regularly to remove any water and debris and deter the attraction and reproduction of termites.

6. Planters and pots

Potted plants, with or without saucers, and unused flower pots or containers can store a quantity of water capable of attracting a mosquito infestation. When it has recently rained, check your planters, pots, and saucers and eliminate any standing water they hold.

Get rid of pots, containers, or planters that you have not been using for a long time. That will take away potential breeding sites for the insects. 

7. Old tires

Old tires lying around your backyard have dark, insulated, and damp environments for mosquitoes that attack them. It is easy for tires, even the ones you or your children occasionally use for swinging in the yard, to collect rainwater since they are hollow. 

Old tires are a big problem that in some areas, there are services set up to perform their recycling. 

If you realize that your tires are collecting rainwater regularly, create a few holes in them for water release.  

8. Piles of grass and leaves

Whenever you create a pile of grass, leaves, and wood, it should be scooped up and eliminated from the yard immediately. Leaving the collection of grass and leaves resting in an area for a few days or weeks will invite mosquitoes and other bugs to come and settle. 

Bugs like the dark and humid environment built.

9. Water bowl for your pet

Although you may make water bowls available for your pets like dogs and cats, also you may be inviting mosquitoes to your home. Since mosquitoes love stagnant water, they will attack the water dishes and lay eggs in them.

Change the water in the bowls daily to eliminate existing mosquitoes and their eggs. Do not just wash but also disinfect the bowls.

Consider a pet fountain for providing water to your pets outdoor. A fountain enables water to move continuously, which will deny bugs the opportunity to settle. As a consequence, your pet may not ingest mosquito larvae.

10. Tree stumps

Hollow trees that hold water are spots mosquitoes may use for hiding. To avoid water collecting on tree stumps, fill the open spaces with mortar, to make the bugs lack an important breeding location. Additionally, remove tree stumps and level the ground or plant trees or grasses.

Where mosquitoes hide in the bedroom

Mosquitoes hide in the bedroom under and behind your bed or other bedroom furniture, like shelving units and storage racks. The mosquitoes may also hide behind your bedroom’s door and on drapes, walls, clothes, and ceilings.

When asleep in the bedroom at night, mosquitoes will know how to locate you due to the carbon dioxide you release from your breath. If still awake and want to invite the bugs, perform a light physical exercise. 

A mosquito loves the heat and odor you generate as you sweat. So it will come whining towards you and try to eliminate it, like using a garlic spray.

Where mosquitoes hide during the day

During the day, mosquitoes will find hiding spots on plants and shrubs, under the decks, below a collection of grass and leaves, and in caves. Artificial structures that may also provide resting and hiding sites for mosquitoes include trenches, holes, barns, and closets.

Mosquitoes hide in dark and sheltered places, away from direct exposure to sunlight and wind. The sun’s heat causes the insects to lose their body water, suffer from thirst, and die. 

The insects also start becoming active in the evening hours because there is a decrease in wind speed, making it possible to utilize their delicate bodies and wings to fly against the wind.

Where mosquitoes hide when it rains

Mosquitoes hide when it rains under your patio or deck and on shrubs and the backside of leaves. Any locations that can offer mosquitoes protection against rain and wind will be hiding spots.

A mosquito can fly when it is raining without getting harmed or killed by raindrops, which are almost the size of a car compared to its size. The insect has a tough external covering and a tiny body mass, and the wings and legs can be reliably used to pull from or avoid raindrops and continue moving.

Where mosquitoes hide in winter

Mosquitoes in the winter hide in your living space, mud, caves, trees, storm sewers, basements, and other potential sites that offer warmth. During the winter, mosquitoes become inactive by sleeping for long periods.

In that state, the bugs have a slow breathing rate, low body temperature, and energy use. The insects may even die while in sleep mode as they can only live for six to eight weeks.

Some mosquitoes can force water loss from their bodies to protect against freezing to death. The eggs are placed under the ice to hatch when the temperature of the water becomes warm during the spring and summer.

When winter is over, and enough warmth and water are available, the surviving mosquitoes will resume their normal activities. Since they hate being cold, using a cold air conditioner can keep mosquitoes away in summer.

Where do mosquitoes hide in a kitchen? 

In the kitchen, mosquitoes may hide in a place where old items are stacked, near dustbins, under countertops, and in other dirty, poorly lit areas. Mosquitoes love infesting the kitchen as they have access to food, shelter, and water, vital for survival.

In conclusion, identifying where mosquitoes hide makes elimination easy. There are many methods for controlling and preventing pests, including mosquitoes. Eliminate the conditions that promote the attack and reproduction of mosquitoes. Or contact a pest removal company.

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Where mosquitoes live 

• Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government: Mosquito breeding grounds