Put a drop of oil on the water. It will spread out over the water making a barrier that stops the mosquito larva from breathing.

Thank you for responding, toolbelt:) Coming from the driest desert community (L.V.), mosquitoes and treating the dog for fleas and ticks has been an adjustment.

So, oil... like canola or WD-40?

To be perfectly honest SJN, I would have to google mosquito larva to learn what that even looks like. I am looking forward to Spring and bringing blooms inside to add life and color to our home. Changing rose water daily...realistically... not likely...

Do you all put a dash of bleach in the water for roses or would that cause issues? I could be conflating bare root rose soaking suggestions with rose in vase water...

If you changed the water every 5 or 6 you'd be okay, although eggs can stick to the sides of the container so rinse it and the rose stems well. Life cycle of mosquito

When I was a little kid I was fascinated to see mosquito larva in a clear glass bowl holding my grandmother's pathos ivy. They wiggle when disturbed thus their common name; 'wiggle tails'.

Hi Lynn,

For there to be mosquito larvae in your vase, there would have to be mosquitoes flying around your house, that would then have to lay eggs in your vase water. Even if this did happen, which seems pretty improbable, it would take many days for the eggs to hatch, go through the pupae and larval stage, to ultimately emerge as an adult. As Roselee said, if you change the water regularly you can prevent this.

I would be more concerned about standing water outside of your home, in your yard. These are places where mosquitoes will often lay eggs and adults will emerge from. Places like pet water bowls, bird baths, pool covers, flower pots, etc. Just dumping the water isn't enough. Many species of mosquitoes stick their eggs to the side of the container, so containers should be scrubbed to remove these eggs.

-Chris

Agree with Chris...unless you have a mosquito population inside your house, breeding from cut flower vases would be very unlikely. I lived in Austin for many years, never knew of anyone with this problem.

I did have one crazy friend who left standing water outside so he could have mosquito larvae to feed his Siamese fighting fish. Now that was a problem!

Good news! Again, I am optimistic about having Spring blooms in the house, and trying to be proactive. Already understanding the outdoor basics (standing water etc.), but having the thought occur to me that mosquitoes come into the house when doors are opened etc. (not an infestation of course.. who has not seen a mosquito in the house during the Summer...) and wondering if vase water could be an issue. So.. no worries.

Roselee-

I have never had roses survive in a vase for 5-6 days, which could be due to my old desert environment! 5-6 days would be great!!

Just Google 'mosquito larvae' to see what they look like. The come to the surface to breath and the oil stops them from breaking thru the water surface. Just about any oil should work. But, before doing that just check for them rising and sinking in the water. If not there don't worry about them.... have fun. You might try spraying your screen door screen with OFF.

No screen door, but last Summer we purchased multiples of those plugin gizmos that attract and "zap?" mosquitoes that fly into the house. Mosquitoes are highly attracted to me :(. I hope they are "over it" this season...

Lynn have you considered getting Orchids for indoor blooms? I use a pot filled with Orchid soil -mostly wood shavings -- that I set on a bed of marbles in a plastic dish. The dish gets filled with water just to the top of the marbles to provide moisture to the Orchid.

Yours and many orchids are so beautiful, toolbelt, but I have a horrible track record growing plants/flowers indoors.