How do you protect yourself from mosquitoes at night?

With screens on the windows or a mosquito net over the bed, and by avoiding standing water around the house.

Are mosquitoes in the UK dangerous?

Most native mosquitoes are a nuisance rather than a health risk. The Asian tiger mosquito can transmit diseases in southern Europe; it is not established in the UK and the risk is very low.

Protecting yourself from mosquitoes

Mosquitoes: what attracts them and how to protect yourself

Q: What attracts mosquitoes?

The carbon dioxide we breathe out, body heat and smells such as sweat. Only the females bite, because they need blood for their eggs.

Q: How fast do mosquitoes breed?

A female lays 100 to 300 eggs on standing water. In warm weather the cycle from egg to biting mosquito takes 10 to 14 days.

Mosquitoes find you through your breath, your body heat and your smell. Most bites happen in the evening and at night. With window screens, a mosquito net and less standing water in the garden and on the balcony, things get noticeably calmer.

Straight to the solution: View mosquito protection.

What attracts mosquitoes and where do they come from?

Mosquitoes react to the carbon dioxide we breathe out, to body heat and to smells such as sweat. That lets them find a person from many metres away. Only the females bite, because they need blood to develop their eggs. They breed in standing water, which is why there are so many near ponds, water butts and plant pot saucers.

When are mosquitoes around?

Mainly from May to September. Some species spend the winter as adults in cellars, sheds and garages, but hardly bite then.

How fast do mosquitoes breed?

Very fast. A female lays 100 to 300 eggs at a time on standing water. The larvae hatch after a few days, and in warm weather the whole cycle from egg to biting mosquito is complete in 10 to 14 days. A forgotten bucket of rainwater is enough as a breeding site.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Most native mosquitoes are a nuisance rather than a health risk: the bites itch and disturb your sleep. The Asian tiger mosquito is spreading in Europe and can transmit diseases such as dengue in southern Europe. It has occasionally been found in the UK but is not established here, so the risk is very low.

How do you protect yourself from mosquitoes?

Fit window screens. That way you can sleep with the window open in summer.
Sleep under a mosquito net. Especially handy over a cot.
Avoid standing water. Empty buckets, watering cans and saucers and cover the water butt.
Keep a living pond. Fish, frogs and dragonfly larvae eat mosquito larvae.
Give insect eaters a home. Nest boxes for swallows and bats help, because both eat lots of insects.

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Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

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