When Is Mosquito Season and How Long Does It Last?

Mosquito season is highly dependent on the environmental conditions. The mosquitoes remain in a latent stage until the environment favors their release from their eggs. The season typically begins when the temperature remains above 50°F (10°C) for an extended period. Humidity and rainfall keep them hydrated, leading to enhanced growth and development. 

When Does Mosquito Season Start and End?

Here are the three different regions with different mosquito seasons:

1. Northern U.S. Regions: In these regions, the mosquito season starts from May to June and ends from September to October. Mosquitoes remain in a hibernation period for longer compared to southern regions due to the Arctic freezing. The temperature falls below 50°F in early fall. 
2. Southern U.S. Regions: Mosquito season starts from March to April and lasts till November in southern regions. The milder winters trigger the early mosquito season, and it also starts from February in southernmost regions like Florida and Texas. 
3. Tropical and Coastal Areas: The mosquito season is year-round in these areas due to the humid and temperate conditions. The temperature needs to fall below 50°F for the mosquitoes’ inactivity, which is rare in these areas. 

How Long Does Mosquito Season Last?

Here are the three possibilities of mosquito duration depending on the areas:

1. Short Season Areas: Northern areas face a short mosquito season due to their low temperature environment in September or October. The mosquito season duration is 3-4 months in New England, the Northernmost areas, and the Pacific Northwest. 
2. Extended Season Areas: The areas like Southwest, Southern U.S., and Mid Atlantic face the mosquito season for 6-9+ months from March to November. Texas, Florida, and the Gulf Coast are in year-round mosquito season danger. These regions rarely maintain a temperature above 10°C.
3. Floodwater or Temporary Mosquitoes: Floodwater or sudden rainfall contributes to the mosquitoes breeding even outside the normal season. Their eggs keep in a latent period for 2 to 5 years in warm soil and hatch in 7 to 0 days in the stagnant water. Mosquitoes are known for their aggressive behaviors as they can fly 10+ miles away from the hatch site to find a host. 

Which Mosquito Species Are Most Active During the Season?

Here are the four mosquitoes that are most active during the season:

1. Aedes aegypti & Aedes albopictus: These mosquitoes stay active from early spring to late autumn. Aggressive daytime biters prioritize human blood. Aedes aegypti & Aedes albopictus are unique in the way that they survive in flower pots or useless tires and are commonly found in residential areas. They act as vectors for diseases like Zika and Dengue.
2. Culex pipiens & Culex quinquefasciatus: These species are also known as the House mosquitoes, and are nighttime feeders. Late spring to early fall seasons favor their breeding time. Nutrient-rich, stagnant water is the breeding ground for them, and they carry West Nile Virus primarily in North America.  
3. Anopheles quadrimaculatus: It is also known as the Malria mosquito. The breeding rate in crases in peak summer due to the highest temperatures. Permanent water bodies like ponds and marshes are the primary sites in which they thrive and complete their life cycle. 
4. Psorophora species: Regardless of the season or month, they appear immediately after rain or flooding events. Their eggs can endure for years in dry soil. After the flood, they came out in large numbers and are known for their aggressive behavior. 

How Do Environmental Factors Affect Mosquito Season?

Here are the four environmental factors that affect mosquito season:

1. Temperature Fluctuations: They are active at the highest temperature above 50°F. A sudden temperature change can release the mosquitoes from dormancy before the season or can slow their development.
2. Rainfall and Water Availability: The stagnant water from irrigation, rain, or clogged gutters provides a stable space for their breeding. It results in an increased number of mosquitoes even in drought. 
3. Urban vs Rural Areas: The urban areas are 5-10°F warmer due to buildings and concrete that trap heat. This temperature change can result in a year-round mosquito season. Rural area pouplationutilizes the ponds, marshes, or rainfall as a water source. Mosquito activity in these regions depends on natural phenomena. 

How Can Homeowners Protect Themselves During Mosquito Season?

Here are the five tips for homeowners to protect themselves during mosquito season. 

1. Eliminate Standing Water: Check the buckets, bins, flowepots, or birdbaths weekly to eliminate standing water or collected waste.
2. Apply EPA-Approved Repellents: Prefer using EPA-approved repellents like DEET, picradin, or oil of lemon Euclyptus (OLE). Picradin is a synthetic compound of DEET, yet less greasy and found in pepper plants. 
3. Use Protective Clothing: Cover the body completely with long sleeves and long pants, particularly at dawn and dusk. Consider using permethrin(it kills mosquitoes) for outdoor activities like a picnic. 
4. Install Screens and Bed Nets: Close all the windows and doors during the high activity durations. Check for any holes or tears in doors or window screens, and repair or cover them.
5. Professional Mosquito Control: Adulticides or larvicides are necessary for persistent problems. The National Pest Management Association offers licessed professional for these activities. 

If you’re seeing mosquitos, schedule a same-day inspection now!

When Should You Start Taking Precautions?

When the temperature consistently remains above 10 °C, take precautions like the EPA’s repellents or the tip and toss method to limit the larvae development phase. Be aware of spike alerts, as they floodwater mosquitoes hatch in large numbers. Remove the trapped water from tree holes, drainage pipes, and other unexpected places.