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Biter questions

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in The potting shed
I. At what night time temperature is it safe to open the windows without getting bitten by mosquitoes?
2. Do they hibernate,lurk or die in the colder weather?

In London. Keen but lazy.
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  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Our bedroom window is open nearly all the tine, we don't get mosquitoes. I would imagine they die as soon as it gets colder. If you've no open water nearby, it should be fine.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    December, January and February are the only safest months around here - and I'm not allowed to have the windows open then (have to wait till he's asleep and do it quietly....)🤫😄
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Unfortunately, next door have a small pond and my body thermostat control is a leg outside the duvet. That's where they have their raves. Social distancing is ignored.
    I'm looking forward to breathing fresh air at night. 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited October 2020
    Hi @B3 I bought one of these which fits on the walls surrounding the window frame:
    It works extremely well and is held in place by self-adhesive velcro on the top and sides, with magnetic strips on the bottom and centre join.  Has been up 2 years now with no issues, but you'll obviously need to get one which fits your window.  Keeps everything out, but still allows windows to be fully opened at night.  We have also left the net curtain in place;  The screen would act as a net curtain on its own, but we prefer the extra privacy:
    It simply and reliably snaps back into place when opened to access the windows.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    That looks like a great idea. As I would only want one section of the large window ooen, I suppose I could get a smaller one to deal that section. Will definitely try it next year. @BobTheGardener. Thanks
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I never understood the lack of screens on windows in the UK (and NZ).  It is standard on every window that opens in the US.  My grandmother had a 175 year old farm house without them, so she had a screen in a metal and wood frame that expanded to fit the open part of the window.  
    Utah, USA.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Blue Onion said:
    I never understood the lack of screens on windows in the UK (and NZ).  It is standard on every window that opens in the US.  My grandmother had a 175 year old farm house without them, so she had a screen in a metal and wood frame that expanded to fit the open part of the window.  

    My dad was always amazed by that. Screens on door and windows are standard all over the Caribbean and work well.

    Mozzies don't fly very high or very far. I sleep on the second floor and are never bothered by them. I sleep with the window open all summer.

    My friend-neighbours have a pond and I bought them some mozzie crumble (which they were happy to use) as I react very badly to mozzie bites and it was stopping me going into my garden. Crumble/dunks works brilliantly well, taking effect after 24 hours or so. 

    Mozzie adults live for under two weeks. If they haven't laid eggs in that time there will be no more mozzies.  They don't survive well in temps over 10oC.
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    One thing I love on living in the UK is no mosquitos (almost). And no ticks (again, almost). My husband is from Bratislava and that place is a mosquito hell in summer - the marshes around the Danube are one big breeding ground.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    A very vicious one found my ankle in Wales, I'd only popped out to the carpark. Huge red swollen weal and difficulty in walking necessitated a visit to the local pharmacy for antihistamine cream. Turned out I was allergic to that as well so double the pain and discomfort. I've still got the scar.    
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    The key, I find is to whack on some tea tree oil or anti his cream and the cover it with a plaster - right away. Covering it stops the inflammation from rubbing. The bite will reduce in a much shorter time.
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