Question for people who either know Bugs, Boston, or Both.

[mdhunter]

Ok. I moved to Boston this past summer - the South End for those scoring at home - and for the past week, week and a half, I've had a problem with mosquitos in my apartment.

It's not an infestation or anything - that is, it's not like I see them constantly. But, I kill one, maybe two, a day. I'm not around so much during the afternoon, but the little bastards (I suspect it's one each time) are absolute murder when I'm sleeping. The ultra high pitched sound in your ear, the feeling like you're being eaten alive... ugh. I have a fresh bite or two every morning.

Three questions. 1)It's been cold enough here in Boston, shouldn't these damn bugs be dead? 2)Why are they in my place? Is it normal around here for the mosquitos to retreat inside. Could there have been eggs that came in with something? 3)How the hell do I get rid of them?

Any and all insight would be appreciated.

And if you're tempted to respond and give me a hard time don't... or I'll cast this plauge on you... for a thousand years.

[louis c]

1. I'm in Revere

and I've lived in this area all my life.

I've never heard of mosquitoes around this late.

You must have a breeding area in the house.

Check your basement for standing water near the furnace or other warm spot.

Are you sure they are mosquitoes? Could they be flying ants or termites?

If it continues, call a professional.

[wicket]

2. I'm in Somerville

And I also have never heard of bugs this late, so I second your advice about calling a professional.

[Big Kahuna]

3. Bug hunt.

I've been through this many times. They bite your toes and fingers and leave you in sleepless agony. It's most likely just a few mosquitos that continually try feeding, and you unconsciously brush them off. They inject an anti-coagulant everytime they bite you, which causes the irritation.

You need to get up, turn on all the lights, and grab the nearest paperback book, and open up a big can of whoopass!

Search every vertical surface of your home and whack any tiny black spot mercilessly. You will end up with a few very impressive blood-splats on the wall, and probably get a good night's sleep.

Next morning. Check all your window screens for holes, and plug creatively.

[louis c]

4. There's no mosquitoes

outdoors in Boston in December.

It's 30 degrees.

No one has screens up now, it would be like Christmas lights in July.

[shadowknows69]

5. did you move there from Amityville?

:evilgrin:

[mdhunter]

6. Update, for anyone still tracking this

Well, I whacked 5 yesterday evening before going to bed. I think that was most of them, because I got a sound night's sleep.

I believe I found the source. I don't even recall mosquitos where I am in the South End in July, so all along I thought it unlikely that they were finding their way inside. I recently bough a plant and temporarily had it resting in an older planter that I moved from my previous apartment in North Carolina. I was visiting family over the Thanksgiving holiday, and gave all my new plants plenty of water before I went.

Naturally, lots of that water flowed through and was standing in the planter for a solid week or more. And, I bet the planter itself either had eggs or larve already on it - I was storing it outside. That's my theory anyway, it seems plausible enough for me. I've removed that planter - and will bleach it prior to using it again. So far today no sign of bugs. And yes, for sure they were mosquitos, they'd leave an impressive amount of blood when swatted. Actually, almost a frightening amount of blood in one case. So, hopefully, this will take care of it.

Thanks for the replies.

[annabanana]

7. DU is always ready to help

:P