As the weather warms up and you start to see mosquitoes around your home more and more, you will most likely be asking these questions (or similar ones). What is the best way to keep mosquitoes away? When are mosquitoes active? How do I prevent mosquitoes from multiplying?
Depending on where you live and the temperature outside, mosquito season has most likely begun or is about to begin in your region. There are a lot of tips and tricks to help get you through mosquito season, and luckily we take mosquito season preparation seriously.
Here are some of the most important facts you should know about mosquito season:
When arming yourself against mosquitoes, EPA-registered insect repellents are key
Whether you are going on a family hike or just hanging out in your backyard, it is always important to remember to apply mosquito repellent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, using insect repellent that is Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered is highly effective (and safe).
It is best to use EPA-registered products because there is not much information regarding the effectiveness of non-EPA registered products. The CDC recommends using insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients:
- DEET
- Picaridin
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- IR3535
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone
Mosquitoes love standing water
In fact, mosquitoes more than love standing water– they need it. Why?
Because without it, these insects would not be able to breed and lay eggs. Mosquitoes only need ¼ inches of water to lay their eggs in! This is why getting rid of standing water in your yard and near your home is a crucial element of mosquito control. When a Mosquito Authority mosquito control specialist performs a treatment on your yard, a big part of his or her job is ensuring your yard is free of any potential mosquito breeding grounds, especially standing water.
There are peak mosquito hours
While you can technically get bitten by a mosquito at any time of day, these insects tend to be most active during the hours of dusk and dawn. To reduce your risk of getting mosquito bites, try to minimize your outdoor activity during these times of the day. Otherwise, remember to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you can. The less skin that is exposed, the less room mosquitoes have to bite.
The amount of mosquito activity outside depends on the temperature
As you have probably noticed before, mosquitoes thrive in warm weather. So how warm does it have to be for mosquitoes to be active? Essentially, mosquitoes become active once temperatures hit 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is why the beginning and end of mosquito season vary so widely across the country. In warmer regions, such as the south and southwest, mosquito season usually begins around February or March. In regions like the northeast and pacific northwest, on the other hand, mosquito season typically begins around May.
There are a lot of things to be aware of before and during mosquito season– how and where mosquitoes breed, when they are most active, what preventative products to use, and more. The best way to keep mosquitoes away, however, is to hire a local mosquito control company. At Mosquito Authority, we don’t just give you a mosquito-free yard– we make sure it stays that way.
Not sure how to prepare for mosquito season? Check out our blog for some more tips!
Find your local mosquito control company.