Secret life of mosquitoes

Here are a few interesting facts about the life of mosquitoes. After you've read this, you'll probably want to take action right away to take control over them. 

  • Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide, lactic acid and octenol found in our breath and sweat. They also are able to sense the heat and humidity of our bodies. 
  • Only female mosquitoes bite.  Females need the proteins in blood to help their eggs develop. 
  • There are around 3,500 species of mosquitoes around the world. 
  • Mosquitoes hibernate in the winter. At temperatures less than 10°C, they will shut down for the winter. 
  • Male mosquitoes will live 10 days or less, and female mosquitoes can live from six to eight weeks. 
  • Female mosquitoes lay eggs every three days. They lay their eggs in shallow, standing water or in damp soil.
  • Mosquitoes are less active in the afternoon, when temperatures are the hottest.
  • Male mosquitoes locate females by the sound of their wings.
  • Mosquitoes generally fly below 25 feet. 
  • Dark-coloured clothes attract mosquitoes as they retain more heat than light-coloured ones. 
  • Female mosquitoes can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. 
  • Malaria infects around 250 million people each year around the world. It is caused by a parasite that lives in mosquitoes. 
  • They are considered the deadliest animals in the world. They can transmit diseases such as malaria, Nile virus, dengue fever, Zika, etc. 
  • Mosquitoes are as old as the dinosaurs!