Myth Busting: Does a Mosquito Die After It Bites You?

"Ahhh! These mosquitoes love me; I wonder if they die after biting me?"

Unfortunately, unlike honeybees, a mosquito's proboscis (mouth) was designed to feed on blood continually, and a honeybee's ridged stinger is made to lay eggs. The stinger of a honeybee is part of the ovipositor, which consists of a venom gland, ovaries, and the birthing canal for future bees. As for the proboscis, the needle is smooth and explicitly designed for feeding at all times.

In short, no—the mosquito does not die after biting you.

After a mosquito has bitten you, the drawn blood nourishes her eggs with protein and amino acid. The female mosquito can live up to 100 days and lay anywhere between 200 to 300 eggs within her lifespan, so she is continually feeding.

During feeding, a female mosquito can separate water from the blood supply using six needles within her proboscis. By injecting her saliva into the bloodstream, the mosquito prevents the blood from coagulating, which would interfere with her feeding. A side effect of the mosquito’s saliva is an itch that can be unbearable and, above all else, an irritation towards the insect.

Knowing that mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animal, there is no such thing as “safely” getting bitten. Thankfully, we can take preventable measures to control mosquito bites around us. Mosquito Squad prides itself on controlling mosquitoes in your yard and offers tips to prevent future generations of mosquitoes. Check out our blogs ranging from a mosquito’s life cycle and what to do when your neighbor’s yard is a mosquito haven, to how to protect your baby from mosquitoes and recommended essential oils to prevent mosquito bites.

Give Mosquito Squad a call today for a free estimate and let us control the mosquitoes in your yard.