If you’ve ever tried to fall asleep with a mosquito buzzing in your ear, you know just how impossible it is. I can’t count the number of times I’ve woken up scratching at bites, only to spend ages hunting for the culprit in the dark.
Sure, you could douse the room in bug spray, but then you’re stuck with that awful smell and probably still wide awake. Instead, I’ve found two simple tricks that actually help you track down the mozzie and get rid of it—no spray required.
How can I tell if there’s a mosquito in my room?
You can usually tell if there’s a mosquito in your room by the high, whiny buzzing sound they make, especially near your ears at night, or by seeing one sitting on the wall, ceiling, or flying slowly near a light. Unlike flies that zip around, mosquitoes move in a straighter, hovering way.
Waking up with itchy red bites on your arms or legs is another clear sign. They are most active at sunset and at night, so if you hear buzzing while in bed, it’s probably a mosquito looking for food.
To check, try turning the lights off for a minute and then turning them back on quickly, since mosquitoes often land nearby and can be easier to see.
Where do mosquitoes hide in a bedroom?
Mosquitoes usually hide in dark, cool, and quiet places in a bedroom, like under the bed, behind curtains, in closets, or on walls and ceilings, where they can rest without being bothered. They are drawn to people because of our body heat and the air we breathe out, so they often stay close to where you sleep. Most mosquitoes in homes come from nearby still water, like buckets, plant saucers, blocked gutters, or even a little bit of water outside a window or door, where they lay eggs and increase in number. Read more about how to keep mosquitoes away.
Two methods to find a mosquito in a room
1. Use a torch to track it down
Turn off all the lights in your room, but leave one small light on, like your phone screen or a bedside lamp. Mosquitoes like light, so with fewer lights, they will often land on a wall or surface nearby. When you think it has landed, turn on your torch and slowly move the light across the wall until you see the mosquito or its shadow. This makes it much easier to find and catch.
2. Lure it with your phone light
If you want to stay in bed, try this method. Lie on your back, turn your phone screen to the brightest setting, and put it on your chest with the screen facing up. The light will attract the mosquito, and because they are also attracted to the air we breathe out, you can take a few deep breaths to bring it closer. With some luck, the mosquito will come right to you, making it easier to see and swat.
Other ways to deal with a mosquito in your room
If you’re not able to find the mosquito or don’t want to swat it in the middle of the night, here are some alternatives:
- Use a bug spray. There are many brands available for purchase. If you like natural options, try using eucalyptus and lemon oils, or citronella. These will not kill the mosquito, but can help keep it away from your home.
- Think about using a plug-in mosquito repeller. There are now many ways to keep mosquitoes away that do not have strong smells, including plug-in devices like Mortein Peaceful Nights Automatic Plug In Fly & Mosquito Repellent or Raid Max Fly & Mosquito Protection Plug-In. These plug-in options are made with safety features and often have timers that turn them on and off automatically.
- Make a trap. You can make your own mosquito trap with water, brown sugar, yeast, and a plastic bottle. This mix makes carbon dioxide, which will attract a mosquito and trap it in the bottle. This printable guide (PDF) from the City of Albany in Western Australia explains how to do it.
- Turn on the fan. Mosquito wings aren’t very strong when it comes to wind. So if you have a powerful ceiling or pedestal fan, you can turn it on to help keep the mozzies from reaching you as you sleep.
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