“Mumma, machaar!”
This is what I usually hear these days whenever my little one gets up from sleep. I run as fast as possible, only to find red bumps from mosquito bites.
Are there mosquito breeding sites in your home, Rashmi??
Was it a female anopheles mosquito?
It’s frustrating to see how these mosquitoes find their way indoors despite such cleaning efforts. How do these mosquitoes get into our homes? Is this a one-sided love? By the way, none of us is available for this bite-sized love story! (Pun intended)
To stop this unwanted invasion, let’s explore 6 unexpected yet common mosquito breeding sites found in your home.
Common Mosquito Breeding Sites at Home
Table of Contents
Balcony
Flower Pots and Trays
Plants do not need water every day in the rainy season. Water can accumulate and become stagnant.
Quick Tip: Do not water the plants daily. Empty the excess water. Add a good quality organic soil that can retain moisture for a longer time.
Pet Water Bowls and Bird Baths
It’s good to hear birds chirping on our balconies. But stagnant water can be an open invitation for mosquitoes to breed.
Quick Tip: Change the water every day. Clean the pet bowls thoroughly.
Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture in a hollow shape can be a reason for stagnant stored water. We can check for any stored water even after a rain.
Quick Tip: Turn them upside down when not in use. You can also change their position. Putting a cover over furniture can also help.
Clogged Balcony drains
Leaves and dirt can often clog balcony drains. This can be a mosquito breeding spot.
Quick Tip: Check regularly if there is any blockage in your balcony drains. Sweep any debris if you find it. Clean the balcony drains with water to check for any blockage. You can also use a drain sticker to avoid any blocking.
Tarpaulins
Tarpaulins can save the balcony from rainwater, but they can also be a mosquito breeding spot if not checked.
Quick Tip: Check and clear any stored water.
Bathroom
The dampness of the bathrooms and stored water can be a green signal for mosquito breeding.
Loofahs and Scrubbing Brushes
We all love to use loofahs and scrubbing brushes. But do you know, they can give an invitation to mosquitoes? Dirty and unused loofahs and scrubbing brushes can hold tiny but enough water to attract mosquito breeding.
Quick Tip: Clean your loofahs and scrubbing brushes after every use. Make sure they are placed upside down so that no water gets stuck. Throw them away if you have not used them recently.
Unused stored water
Sometimes we store water in buckets to avoid water scarcity. We also forget about them once the water supply is restored.
Quick Tip: Always remember to use the stored water. Empty and dry the buckets completely.
Unused toilets and bathroom floor
It’s a common habit to select a bathroom of our choice (if available). And the one that is left behind can be a common breeding spot for mosquitoes in the rainy season.
Quick Tip: Use these bathrooms at least once a day. Flush regularly to avoid any water stagnancy. Wipe the floor and ventilate.
Soap dishes
High moisture during monsoons can cause soap dishes or even soaps to remain damp. Water can get collected in those soap dishes or beneath them. This can be a welcome sign for mosquitoes to breed.
Quick Tip: Empty and clean the soap dishes after every use. You can even check if water gets accumulated on the bathroom racks.
Kitchen
With little effort and everyday checks, we can save our family from falling prey to mosquito-borne diseases.
Behind refrigerator
In India, the summer season is followed by monsoons. Hence, we defrost our refrigerators. This water gets collected in the trays and can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
To prevent mosquitoes from getting inside our houses, we also install a magnetic mosquito net screen on our doors and windows.
Quick Tip: Check regularly if there is any stored water behind the trays. Also, clean, dry and then reset the defrost tray.
Also Read: Rainy Season Special Kitchen Superfood
Dish Drying Racks & Trays
Water can accumulate in dish drying racks and trays. This can be a great sign for mosquitoes to breed.
Quick Tip: Empty the dish tray and wipe it dry regularly. You can also put it on your balcony/open space to dry the dishes faster. A good habit is to arrange the dishes as soon as they dry. This will empty the dish drying rack and tray.
Under-sink Cabinets
Under-sink cabinets can be a breeding ground for not only mosquitoes but also other flies.
Quick Tip: Clean the under-sink area regularly. This will also give you a hint of any leakage/damp. Fix the issue immediately.
Gas Cylinder Stands
Most Indian households still use gas cylinders for cooking. We even have an extra cylinder stored. Since these cylinders are heavy to move daily, water can accumulate beneath these stands.
Quick Tip: Place them in a dry area. You can also buy a movable gas cylinder stand.
Laundry & Utility Area
Our laundry and utility area also needs an eye to watch to prevent mosquito breeding.
Washing Machine Pipes
Washing machine pipes should be attached to the drain pipe.
Quick Tip: Cover with a stopper/drain cover. If you do not find any of these, use a thick piece of cloth. This will not only prevent mosquito breeding but also stop insects.
Also Read: Plastic Pollution Solution
Clothes Drying Racks
Some clothes drying racks have a hollow design that can collect rainwater.
Quick Tip: Place these racks indoors when it rains. You can also check if there is any water accumulated. Place them upside down to let all the water flow and ensure they are dry.
Dripping water from wet clothes
This is for people who do not use a washing machine. Since the clothes are not spin-dried, water dripping from the clothes can accumulate.
Quick Tip: Wipe the water after some time, or place a cloth mop.
Rooftop/Terrace
Discarded Items
We have a habit of putting all the discarded stuff on the rooftop. Even a little rainfall can lead to water stagnation.
Quick Tip: Either remove those or cover them. This will stop any water from collecting between the gaps.
Uneven Roof Surfaces
Cracks or uneven rooftops can collect rainwater. This water does not get drained.
Quick Tip: Level up the rooftop. Use a broom/wiper to wipe away all this stagnant water.
Water Tanks
Uncovered/poorly covered water tanks can be a major source of mosquito breeding.
Quick Tip: Cover and regularly check the tank inside and out.
Lesser Known Mosquito Breeding Spots
Water in Puja Vessels/Kalash
Our daily ritual practices can also become a source of mosquito breeding areas. We often leave water in the puja vessels/kalash.
Quick Tip: Change the water in the kalash regularly. You can also cover it with a lid.
Flower Vases
Water in flower vases can also be a common mosquito breeding spot.
Quick Tip: Change this water regularly. Clean the vases from inside to see if any breeding has begun on the sides.
Shoe racks
Our shoes often get wet in the monsoons. Water from shoes can drip and get stored in our shoe racks.
Quick Tip: Avoid placing wet shoes inside the shoe rack.
Vehicle Covers
We often drape our vehicles with a cover to protect them from rain. These covers are loosely fitted. Rainwater can get trapped here.
Quick Tip: Remove the vehicle covers after rain and put them to dry.
Conclusion
Those annoying red mosquito bites can be from mosquitoes breeding indoors. They are generally unattended/ overlooked spots. It can be waterlogged in trays behind the refrigerator, in flower vases, beneath soap dishes, or in shoe racks. But these stagnant waters, however little in amount they may be, can become mosquito breeding sites in our home. By inspecting regularly, we can save our family from mosquito-borne diseases.
What changes do you make in the monsoons to keep your family protected from mosquitoes? Share your thoughts in the comments box. Also, give this blog a thumbs up if you liked it. Subscribe to Writefullyrashmi for parenting, childcare and motherhood insights!
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
FAQs
How to prevent mosquito breeding at home?
Check regularly for any stagnant water at home. If storing water is a necessity, cover it with a proper lid.
Can mosquitoes breed in dirty water or only clean water?
Mosquitoes can breed in any type of standing water, whether it’s clean or dirty
How to get rid of mosquitoes inside the house naturally?
Clear any stagnant water and cover if necessary. Try to keep the balcony as dry as possible. Shut the doors and windows just before it gets dark. You can also place a door/window net sheet curtain.
What do mosquito larvae look like in water?
Mosquito larvae, often called are small, worm-like creatures, a few millimetres long. They usually hang just below the water’s surface.
Moms Special
Leave a Reply