Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Mosquitoes are well-known for their bites. Female mosquitoes use their proboscis to puncture skin and feed on blood. While humans are a common target, they also bite small birds and mammals. These bites can leave behind marks or rashes. Even more concerning, mosquitoes are responsible for spreading various diseases across the globe. Thankfully, mosquito-borne illnesses are uncommon in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, but no one wants to endure a mosquito bite.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Female mosquitoes bite to obtain blood nutrients, including iron, proteins, and amino acids, which are essential for developing eggs. After feeding, they can breed and lay eggs. This process, often referred to as “biting,” actually involves the mosquito piercing your skin with her needle-like proboscis.

The mosquito proboscis is made up of two tubes, unlike the single tube in a hypodermic needle. One tube injects saliva with a combination of chemicals to numb pain, thin the blood, and prevent clotting, while the other tube extracts the blood.

Male mosquitoes do not bite.

Do Mosquitoes Bite Dogs or Cats?

Mosquitoes can and do bite pets, including cats, dogs, and others. Cats are less prone to bites thanks to their thicker fur, but their ears and noses remain vulnerable. Dogs, however, are more likely to get mosquito bites. These bites can cause discomfort and, like in humans, mosquitoes can transmit diseases to animals.

Mosquito Bite Symptoms in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky

Mosquito bites typically happen on areas of the body that are exposed. The most common symptoms of a mosquito bite are:

Initial Reaction: Pinkish-red, itchy bumps appear shortly after a mosquito bite, often darkening over the next day or two.
Size: Bumps typically less than ½ inch in diameter.
Itching: Scratching may intensify symptoms and lead to bruising or rashes.
Severe Symptoms: In severe cases, symptoms may include fever, severe headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Always seek medical advice if experiencing these symptoms.

What Do Mosquitoes Eat?

Mosquitoes don’t just feed on blood, despite what you may have heard. Only females need blood to reproduce, and their diet varies depending on their life stage:

Larvae: As larvae, mosquitoes consume algae, bacteria, and various organic materials present in the water they inhabit.
Pupae: Mosquitoes in their pupal stage do not feed at all.
Adults: Adult mosquitoes, both males and females, drink nectar from flowering plants.
Females: Only female mosquitoes seek blood, which they obtain from humans, birds, small mammals, snakes, and more.

Male vs. Female Mosquito Diet

The female mosquito is the only one that bites for blood. So, what sets male mosquitoes apart? Here’s what makes them different:

Male: Male mosquitoes get their nutrition from plant nectar, not blood. Using their proboscis, they extract nectar from flowers, and they are not involved in disease transmission.
Female: To reproduce, female mosquitoes need to consume blood. Once they’ve had a blood meal, they can breed and lay eggs. They also supplement their diet with nectar.

Can Mosquitoes Survive Without Eating?

Mosquitoes have a brief lifespan and cannot survive long without feeding. A female mosquito may perish within days if she can’t find food. However, during winter dormancy, they can survive for months without eating. In general, mosquitoes typically die without a food source.

Encounter mosquitoes on your Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky property? Contact Action Pest Control’s mosquito exterminators without delay.

Back to Mosquito Identification