# What can I do about this mosquito(s)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 20, 2009, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039 "2009-08-20T05:04:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/1 "2009-08-20T05:04:51Z")
Okay, so I have at least one mosquito living in my room. I rarely ever see her, but dammit, I can hear her at night buzzing by my ear (which makes it really hard to sleep, btw!) and tons of red spots on my face are the result the next morning. I’ve tried swatting her when I hear her, but no dice. Is there anything I can do to get rid of her? She is seriously ruining my nights! ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/2 "2009-08-20T05:13:43Z")
I use a device with a bottle of repellent attached, that I plug into a power point overnight during summer. Never fails. It’s the middle picture [here](http://www.mortein.com.au/product_odour_mozzie_zap.php). ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/3 "2009-08-20T07:44:29Z")
Thanks, did you buy it online, or do local stores tend to carry something like that? ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/4 "2009-08-20T07:46:52Z")
If you leave it a week or so it will die of natural causes. However, I would also second the liquid plug-ins. I wouldn’t say they never fail, but they are pretty good. Other tips: A net over your bed, but I find these annoying. If you live in a country where mossies are a common problem have nets installed in your windows. Never ever leave a door or window open from dusk to dawn with the lights on. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/5 "2009-08-20T07:48:10Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Thanks, did you buy it online, or do local stores tend to carry something like that? Where are you? Here in Greece every single supermarket stocks them. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/6 "2009-08-20T07:51:18Z")
> [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](#): > > Where are you? Here in Greece every single supermarket stocks them. San Francisco, California. Yeah, I know it’ll die eventually, but this is the second time now in as many months that this has happened, and it’s really annoying. I’m now out for revenge 😛 And yeah, I’m pretty good with the window thing, unfortunately, my roommates aren’t, and even worse, they don’t have screens. Guess I’ll roll out to the store tomorrow and see what they’ve got. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/7 "2009-08-20T13:24:18Z")
Stop by the window screen store afterward. If money is an issue, bill the roommates. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/8 "2009-08-20T13:35:30Z")
A cheap fix: use or borrow a common desk lamp, the kind with a shade shaped like \< . Point it at the ceiling or wall when the room is dark and wait. Mosquitoes are attracted to light and it will eventually land somewhere in the lighted area. Swat at will. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/9 "2009-08-21T00:39:11Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Thanks, did you buy it online, or do local stores tend to carry something like that? Here in Australia they are in every supermarket, no idea about CA. Note that the ones where you put a little mat in also work, but having to do that every night is a pain, the bottles last a month or more. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-about-this-mosquito-s/507039/10 "2009-08-21T10:39:34Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > the ones where you put a little mat in also work Not as well in my experience. Some have liquid and the ‘mats’.