That "Giant Mosquito" Won't Bite You (It's a Crane Fly)
Seen a huge mosquito in your house? Relax. It's a Crane Fly (Mosquito Hawk). It doesn't bite and it's harmless. Learn the difference.
You see it bouncing against the porch light. It looks like a mosquito on steroids. It has long, gangly legs and it's the size of a quarter. You reach for the swatter.
Stop.
That is a Crane Fly. We call them "Mosquito Hawks" or "Skeeter Eaters." But here is the irony: they don't eat mosquitoes. And they definitely don't eat you.
They Are Harmless
Crane flies literally cannot bite. They don't have the mouthparts for it. Adults live for a few days just to mate. They drink a little nectar or water, and that's it.
Why They Are Everywhere
If you see tons of them in your yard, it means you have healthy soil. Their larvae (called "leatherjackets") live in the ground and break down organic matter.
Don't Kill Them
They are actually food for birds and bats. If you kill them, you are just killing a harmless bug that is trying to find a mate. Save your anger for the real mosquitoes (the tiny silent ones biting your ankles).