How does one get a Deathsquito to hold still while one paves it over?

I haven't had a problem killing Deathsquitos yet. I wear fully upgraded wolf armor and carry a fully upgraded iron buckler. I block and swing my mace right after the bloodsucker strikes.

A viking must be on the same level as an enemy to land a melee strike. Conversely, one's enemy must be on the same level as a viking to land a melee strike.