What time are mosquitoes most active

Mosquitoes are flying, disease-carrying nuisances that always seem to find you whenever you step outside. To avoid diseases that mosquitoes carry and transmit, like yellow fever, West Nile Virus, and Zika virus so you can have the freedom to properly enjoy the outdoors, it’s essential to learn how to avoid mosquitoes

Avoiding the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active is generally a fantastic choice but isn’t always practical or possible. There’s also the issue of knowing exactly when mosquitoes will be most active so you can plan your activities accordingly. However, during the warmer months, you may encounter mosquitoes nearly everywhere you go.

To best avoid these flying pest insects, it is best to learn when the different species of mosquitoes are most active in your region, when mosquito seasons occur, and the specific times of day mosquito activity increases.

What Time of Day Are Mosquitoes Most Active?

With 176 different species of mosquitoes in the United States, each species is characterized by different activity levels, habits, and habitats. Some species prefer being more active during the day while others prefer dusk or dawn to buzz around. Mosquitoes in the United States tend to have higher activity levels during the hours before sunset. If you plan on enjoying the great outdoors during the evening, especially in wooded, shady areas near standing water, you will want to make sure you have extra protection on hand and ready to go to prevent insect bites.

Of the nearly 200 mosquito species, there are two that most commonly plague our homes and property, the Aedes aegypti (the Asian tiger mosquito) and the Culex pipiens (common house mosquito). The Asian tiger mosquito tends to bite more frequently during the day while the common house mosquito prefers to bite in the morning and late afternoon.

Luckily, all mosquitoes are less active during the hottest part of the day when the sun and heat are at their peak. Unfortunately, the conditions inside our homes give mosquitoes protection from the dehydrating effects of the sun that normally keep them in hiding until later in the day. Mosquitoes found inside the house seem to constantly be in search of someone to bite and stay active much longer than normal.

Are Mosquitoes Active At Night?

Many types of mosquitoes prefer to be active at dusk or in the evenings. Because they prefer warm, humid areas with easy access to water, they typically avoid the hottest and driest parts of the day when they could easily suffer from dehydration. During the day, you will most likely find mosquitoes in shaded or wet areas. Once dusk arrives, mosquitoes are typically very hungry from a lack of access to creatures to bite, making them more likely to come out of hiding right at dusk in a flurry of activity.

Once they have eaten their fill, mosquitoes will go into hiding to rest before dawn. Keeping mosquitoes out of your home is essential due to this activity schedule. Without protection against these flying pests, mosquitoes are likely to bite unsuspecting humans and pets throughout the night simply because you are an easy target.

What is Mosquito Season?

Mosquito season depends entirely on temperature. Once a region heats consistently above 45° F, mosquitoes will hatch or come out of hibernation in full force. Warmer areas may experience an influx of mosquitoes much sooner than cooler regions, so it’s important to keep an eye on the temperatures in your area to ensure you’re fully prepared. Once temperatures reach 80°F, mosquitoes will become a consistent problem.

Before you consider moving to cooler climates, there are plenty of ways you can prepare your home and property so mosquito season won’t be quite as awful.

• Prepare Early — As soon as the temperature begins to heat up, clean up any debris or trash in your yard that could potentially hold any amount of water. Stock up on indoor and outdoor DynaTrap Insect Traps so you’ll be ready as soon as mosquito season hits.
• Avoid Peak Mosquito Hours — Schedule your time outside accordingly to minimize the chances of getting bitten.
• Prepare Your Home — Add screens or make repairs to existing screens on doors and windows. Any small opening could be an invitation for mosquitoes.
• Travel Wisely — If you are planning to travel to an area known for mosquito-borne illnesses, consider visiting during the off-season to reduce the risk. Don’t forget to stay up to date on any essential vaccinations when traveling to further reduce your risk of contracting a disease.

Where Are Mosquitoes Most Active

Knowing when mosquitoes will be active is half the battle. Knowing where you are most likely to be bitten is also essential. While different mosquito species prefer different areas, most mosquitoes prefer shady, humid, and wet areas such as in forests or anywhere that has access to standing water. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings so you can take extra precautions to minimize the risk of mosquito bites.

If your community is suffering from an outbreak of mosquito-borne illnesses, you are worried about contracting a disease while you’re ill, or if you react badly to mosquito bites, staying inside during peak mosquito hours may be the best option. However, unless there is a medical reason to do so, you do not need to change your schedule because of mosquitoes. Simply understanding when and where mosquitoes are most likely to become a nuisance and taking the proper precautions will reduce your risk of mosquito bites.

DynaTrap offers indoor and outdoor flying insect traps that quickly and effectively eliminate mosquitoes. Simply place them where you’ve noticed insect activity and it provides immediate protection against mosquitoes, so you can concentrate on enjoying your time both indoors and out. The traps attract mosquitoes with their powerful UV light and the trap’s odorless coating while the quiet fan traps and securely holds them inside. As more and more mosquitoes are trapped, there are fewer left to lay eggs, breaking their life cycle and reducing the populations year after year.

Need Help Battling Mosquitoes?

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Just as you’re getting excited about enjoying the warm weather in your beautiful yard, that’s also when mosquitoes start to come out, unfortunately.

Mosquito season usually starts in the spring when temperatures outside reach 50°F, and it lasts throughout the summer and fall. This year in New York City, mosquitos are expected to be active from March through October.

But here’s a bit of good news for homeowners with backyard mosquito problems:

Mosquitoes aren’t active ALL the time.

Like the waves of an ocean, the presence of mosquitoes ebbs and flows throughout the day. Knowing when mosquitoes come out and when they go back into hiding can help you and your family enjoy quality time outdoors while avoiding those dreaded bites.

When Do Mosquitoes Come Out?

Generally speaking, mosquitoes come out to feed around sunrise, sunset, and at nighttime. They’re rarely active during the middle of the day when the sun is out, since direct sunlight and high midday temperatures can quickly dehydrate them.

But don’t think of this as a rule — the exact times of day that mosquitoes are most active may vary, depending on:

• Weather
• Temperatures
• Species of mosquitoes present

In terms of weather, mosquitoes tend to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. That means you’re less likely to see them around noon on bright sunny days. But on cloudy days, all bets are off.

Temperature is another important factor. The ideal temperature range for mosquitoes is between 64°F to 93°F (18°C to 34°C), and activity peaks around 80°F.

Depending on the month and where you live, that ideal range might fall on different hours of the day.

The times when mosquitoes are most active can also vary depending on their species — although you might see some overlap if your home has been taken over by different kinds of mosquitoes.

In New York City and the Tri-State area, the most common species of mosquitoes belong to the genera Culex and Aedes. Culex mosquitoes are the primary vector for West Nile virus, while Aedes mosquitoes can transmit dengue, yellow fever, and Zika virus.

Other genera of mosquitoes, such as Anopheles, can also be found in New York City, but they are far less prevalent than Culex and Aedes.

When Are Culex Mosquitoes Active?

Culex is a genus of permanent water mosquitoes that includes Culex pipiens (the common house mosquito). This is the most prevalent species of mosquitoes in the urban and suburban areas of New York City.

Culex mosquitoes are night-time biters that are most active from dusk to dawn. During peak mosquito season in NYC, they’re most active outdoors between 8pm to 6am.

In daytime, these mosquitoes hide in shady areas like the undersides of leaves and shrubbery, inside sheds, or beneath yard clutter. They come out in evening after the sun sets, and they’re active throughout the entire night and into the early morning right before the sun rises.

When Are Aedes Mosquitoes Active?

Aedes is a genus of floodwater mosquitoes known for being aggressive and painful biters. The notable species here are Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito) and Aedes sollicitans (the salt marsh mosquito).

Aedes mosquitoes are crepuscular insects, often referred to as “dusk and dawn biters.” Unlike Culex mosquitoes, they are usually active during the day (not at night) with a preference for early mornings and late afternoons. During peak mosquito season in NYC, they’re most active outdoors from 5am to 7am and from 7pm to 9pm.

These mosquitoes come out in the morning during the twilight before sunrise and disappear once the sun is high in the sky. They’ll come out again to feed once more in the evening around sunset.

However, Aedes mosquitoes can sometimes be active at other times throughout the day, especially when they’re indoors, in shady areas, or the weather is cloudy.

When Are Anopheles Mosquitoes Active?

Anopheles is another genus of permanent water mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are the primary vector for malaria and are relatively more common in the southeastern United States.

Depending on the exact species, some of these mosquitoes are crepuscular (active mostly at dusk and dawn) while others are nocturnal (active throughout the night).

If you have Anopheles mosquitoes on your property, their active hours and biting behavior will be similar to that of Culex mosquitoes.

The Best Time(s) of Day to Avoid Outdoor Mosquitoes

In general, the best time for outdoor activities during mosquito season is during the middle of the day, especially when it’s bright and sunny.

You can avoid getting bitten by limiting the time you spend outside in the early mornings, late evenings, and at night — depending on the species of mosquitoes in your area, of course.

Other times and places when mosquitoes are generally less active:

• Whenever there’s wind (mosquitoes aren’t strong flyers)
• Places with a lot of direct sunlight and not much shade
• Areas away from dense vegetation and standing water

How to Keep Mosquitoes off Your Property

There are many do-it-yourself solutions to kill or repel mosquitoes, which we’ll cover in another article. But if you’re sick of getting bitten in your own backyard, consider getting a professional mosquito spraying service.

Mosquito control professionals, like the ones here at MMPC, have access to effective and eco-friendly mosquito sprays, the latest equipment, and the expert know-how to use them specifically in targeted areas where mosquitoes are most likely to hide.

If you own a home in New York City, contact MMPC today to inquire about our effective and affordable mosquito treatment programs.