Australia not winning the battle between mosquitoes and modern homes

A casual scroll through the real estate ads of suburban Melbourne reveals a popular feature: modern houses and renovations prioritizing an “indoor-outdoor flow.”

This commonly used design term means blending an outdoor living space with an indoor room, often the kitchen or living room. Bifold doors, sprawling decks and alfresco dining areas with BBQs are all used to blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Spending time outside has undeniable benefits for mental health and overall well-being. Being surrounded by nature, soaking up fresh air and unwinding in outdoor spaces are great ways to reduce stress and reconnect with the world around us.

But when this lifestyle extends into our homes—without proper precautions—it can come at a cost: mosquito bites.

And with Victoria and NSW now being warned to protect against Japanese Encephalitis, precautions are now more important than ever.

The decline of the fly screen

When planning ahead to spend an evening outdoors, we’re more likely to protect ourselves from mosquito bites with repellents, loose clothing, coils and candles.

But when the evening winds down and those unscreened bifold doors are left open, mosquitoes can sneak into the house unnoticed. Once inside, they can easily bite us as we relax on the couch or sleep—situations where protective measures are rarely considered.

In embracing a seamless indoor-outdoor design philosophy, we may inadvertently create a perfect opportunity for mosquitoes to follow us inside and feed (on us).

In this era of open-plan living, traditional fly screens—once considered essential in Australian homes—are disappearing. Sliding doors with extra grooves for screens are often seen as unattractive, interrupting the visual flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Where screens remain, they are frequently neglected, especially in rental properties, where their maintenance is often deprioritized and deemed too expensive. Additionally, the trend towards oversized doors and windows further complicates the issue, as installing fly screens for these features often requires custom designs and materials, significantly increasing costs.

Fly screens were originally designed to serve a simple but critical purpose: keeping mosquitoes, flies and other pests out while allowing cool evening breezes in. By trading practicality for aesthetic value, we’re leaving ourselves exposed—not just to itchy bites but to the very real risks of mosquito-borne diseases.

Breeding sites in our own backyard

Most of the mosquitoes inviting themselves inside are breeding in our own backyards or very close by.

Standing water in neglected birdbaths, clogged gutters, unmaintained stormwater drains and poorly sealed water tanks provide ideal conditions for the larvae of container-breeding mosquito species to thrive.

Even ornamental ponds, potted plants or flat-roof designs that don’t drain water efficiently can become breeding hotspots. Mosquitoes can breed in water less than 1cm deep and as little as 30ml is enough for them to complete their lifecycle. Mosquitoes can emerge in overwhelming numbers, making it difficult to enjoy outdoor spaces.

When we spoke with residents in Melbourne’s inner suburbs about mosquito control, many shared that they avoid using their yards altogether around dusk in the warmer months.

They described being relentlessly bitten, with some experiencing severe reactions to mosquito bites. For many, the discomfort and health risks associated with mosquito exposure outweigh the joys of outdoor relaxation, leaving a significant portion of their property underutilized.

Ironically, this seems to undermine the intent of the indoor-outdoor design philosophy that they may have invested in.

Mosquitoes and public health

In recent years, Victoria has seen the re-emergence of Japanese encephalitis after decades of absence. Buruli ulcer, once restricted to the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsula, is now encroaching on Melbourne’s inner suburbs.

Meanwhile, viruses like Ross River and Barmah Forest remain ongoing threats. These diseases can have severe and lasting impacts on individuals, causing debilitating symptoms, prolonged recovery periods, and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.

And it’s not just local species we need to worry about. The Tiger Mosquito, a notorious day-biting invader that spreads diseases like dengue and chikungunya, is knocking at Australia’s door.

With rising temperatures and increasing extreme weather events linked to climate change, favorable conditions for the proliferation of mosquitos, and the pathogens they transmit, is an expected consequence.

Passive solutions to mosquito control

To effectively manage mosquitoes, we need to change our habits and take mosquito mitigation actions on our own properties. This means removing potential breeding sites like stagnant water, as well as rethinking the way we design and maintain our homes.

In rental properties, mosquito mitigation measures including functional screens on windows and drainage maintenance should be emphasized for the health and safety of tenants.

While plug-in pesticides and chemical sprays may offer short-term relief, they come with health and environmental drawbacks.

Similarly, relying on air conditioning to avoid opening unscreened windows increases energy consumption and contributes to climate change, which can worsen mosquito problems over time.

Facing an uncertain future

The threat from mosquitoes isn’t going away. Climate change, urbanization and shifting ecosystems are all playing a role in increasing their potential to cause harm.

It’s time for architects, builders, regulators, communities and homeowners to acknowledge this biological reality. Good design isn’t just about seamless views or connecting indoor and outdoor spaces—it’s also about creating safe, healthy spaces and communities.

By blending modern aesthetics with practical mosquito control, perhaps we can have the best of both worlds: homes that are stylish, enriching, sustainable and bite-free.