How to Keep Mosquitoes from Biting You at Night

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 21 December, 2022

Other than that annoying hum mosquitoes make during nighttime hours or the itch that comes from their bites, these insects carry diseases. 

Hearing a mosquito zooming above your head is an unpleasant feeling while you’re trying to sleep. However, these insects pose a much greater risk than just a poor night’s rest. Mosquito bites can transmit many diseases. Therefore, it’s important to take preventive measures to keep mosquitoes from biting you at any time of day.

Why do mosquitoes try to bite us at night?

Although mosquitoes can bite at any time during the day, they do it at night because they are primarily nocturnal. When the sun goes down and it’s starts getting dark, you can start noticing these insects more. Likewise, being nocturnal is not the only reason why they try biting your as you sleep.

Mosquitoes feel “attracted” to your breath. When you breathe, you inhale the oxygen in the air to nourish your bodily tissues, while doing so you also exhale a lot of carbon dioxide.

When you fall asleep, you become motionless and the carbon dioxide starts building up around you. Of course, you exhale carbon dioxide all day long. However, when you stand still in one place, this compound builds up and attracts mosquitoes more intensely.

Mosquitoes perceive this high concentration of carbon dioxide and are “guided” by it to find food. So, due to exhaling carbon dioxide through the mouth and nose, these insects circle around your head.

In addition, your body heat also helps them identify a living being that can provide them with fresh blood. So, when someone has a higher body temperature, that person is more likely to attract these insects. On hotter days, the lactic acid that’s released in sweat can also attract mosquitoes. Therefore, sleeping in a well-ventilated area during summer nights can prevent mosquitoes from biting you.

Why do they make that annoying sound?

Now you know that mosquitoes do try to bite intensely, which keeps you awake all night long. However, there is a reason why mosquitoes make such an annoying humming noise as they fly around you.  In order to fly and remain in air-born, these insects must flap their wings several times per second. The constant friction of their little flapping wings as they beat the air produces this annoying hum.

How can you prevent mosquitoes from biting?

Unfortunately, mosquitoes are far from being considered harmless bugs. Despite their tiny size, these animals can pose a risk to your health.

These insects serve as intermediary hosts for numerous pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, worms, protozoa, etc. Therefore, they act as carriers for several diseases that are harmful both for humans and for your pets.

Mosquito bites are much more common during the summer, since these insects reproduce rapidly on warmer days. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared for this season and take preventative measures to keep mosquitoes from biting you.

5 tricks to get rid of mosquitoes in your home

1. Protective fabrics: Mosquito nets and insect webs are essential for preventing mosquitoes from entering your home. Ideally, you should install them on all the doors and windows in your house.
2. Get rid of any water left in containers: Many species of mosquitoes that bite humans need water for their larvae to develop. To combat the overpopulation of mosquitoes in summer, don’t let water build up in your home.
3. Avoid overgrown vegetation around your home: This doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful garden. You simply have to be careful not to accumulate dense vegetation around your home. That way, you avoid creating a high-humidity environment that attracts mosquitoes and favors their reproduction.
4. Repellents: Before going outside in the summer, remember to apply insect repellent. There are also special products for veterinary use that you should use to protect your pets.
5. Citronella: Citronella is an excellent ally for fighting mosquitoes. Currently you can get candles, natural repellents, and aromatic oils containing citronella.

The good news is, it’s possible to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes at night, especially during the summer. Just follow these practical tips.