14 Common Myths About Mosquitoes

These persistent misconceptions about mosquitoes can put people at risk.

Mosquitoes are a familiar summertime nuisance for most of us, but beyond the annoying bites, they also pose serious threats to our health by spreading potentially deadly diseases. And despite how common these insects are, people continue to latch onto some very popular misconceptions about them.

“There are many myths about mosquitoes ‘buzzing’ around that our team of entomologists encounter,” said Jim Fredericks, a board-certified entomologist and senior vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association. “Some of them are silly, but some misconceptions could actually put people at risk.”

To help keep people safe and informed, HuffPost asked Fredericks and other experts to set the record straight. Keep scrolling for 14 myths about mosquitoes.

Myth: All mosquitoes bite humans.

“Not all mosquitoes feed on blood,” Fredericks said. “The mosquito species that do bite require blood to develop their eggs. Mosquitoes actually feed on nectar and plant juices, just like butterflies.”