Mosquitoes are more than just a noisy and irritating nuisance! These annoying insects are responsible for spreading serious and fatal diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, West Nile, and more!
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquitoes cause more human suffering and deaths than any other living organism__more than 700,000 deaths worldwide per year!
Both home and business owners must learn how to keep mosquitoes at bay! Equipping yourself with the most accurate facts about these bloodsuckers is crucial for a successful battle against them.
In this article, discover when mosquitoes retreat at night, when they emerge, their peak activity times, and much more!
When Do Mosquitoes Come Out?
You might have noticed that sometimes mosquitoes are either too many for you to deal with, while other times they tend to 'disappear' completely. With such a frequency of visits, it becomes pretty hard to stay prepared against these nuisance pests.
Knowing when mosquitoes come out will help you figure out the best way to keep them away from your home. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded creatures which means that their environment determines their body temperature as they are not able to regulate their internal temperatures.
As such, mosquitoes tend to shut down or become inactive when environmental temperatures drop below 50°F. Generally, cold winter weather does not kill mosquitoes; however, because most species hibernate, you will notice lower levels of mosquito activities during this time of the year.
But as soon as temperatures begin to rise, adult mosquitoes will come out of hibernation. And the eggs and larvae that had been in diapause will resume development.
The warm summer weather makes mosquitoes pass through life cycles much faster while encouraging egg production and increased egg hatching. During this time of the year (March-November), you will notice a dramatic increase in mosquito bites and an increased risk of diseases.
Of course, mosquitoes are not all the same, and different species are more active at different times of day/night during summer. For instance, the Aedes mosquito species (Asian tiger mosquito), which are responsible for spreading the Zika virus, are known for biting humans during the daytime, typically in the mornings and late afternoons.
Anopheles mosquitoes, the species responsible for spreading malaria, are especially active from dusk to dawn. The Culex mosquito species (common house mosquito) that also spreads the West Nile Virus is most active in the evenings or the first few hours of the night!
Generally, nearly all mosquito species become least active during peak daylight hours (midday)! Most species are mainly active at night and will make a nuisance of themselves after dark. These mosquitoes are rarely ever seen during the day because direct sunlight can easily dehydrate and even kill them!
An infestation from these types of mosquitoes will cause you and your loved ones painful bites throughout the night. Although mosquitoes typically rely on plants to get most of their nutrients, they must feed on blood for egg production. Mosquitoes especially prefer human blood, which explains the constant infestations in homes!
Professional pest controllers are able to effectively get rid of mosquitoes and protect homes from re-infestations because they have mastered mosquito activity patterns.
Knowing what time of day and night mosquitoes are most active and where they hide when they aren't flying will help you maximize the effectiveness of your mosquito control measures. We discuss these topics in-depth below:
What Time Of The Day Are Mosquitoes Most Active?
As noted earlier, different mosquito species have different activity levels. Some mosquitoes are more active at night (dusk to dawn).
However, other mosquito species tend to be more active during the day, especially in the early morning hours before it's fully sunny and when the air temperatures are still not hot. When the sun is at its peak, mosquitoes seek shelter in shaded woods but will become active again during the evening hours when the sun is not hot!
So, if you want to avoid mosquitoes during the day, the best time to go out is during the late morning and early afternoon hours when it's very bright and sunny. But because mosquitoes can be such a nuisance, it's a good idea to take precautionary measures like using an effective repellent.
There are approximately 176 mosquito species in the United States. The peak of activities for most of these species is usually during the dusk hours. Should you step outside at this time, you are most likely to get mosquito bites.
Therefore, it's important that you have effective protection, especially if you live near or spend lots of time in wooded, shady areas or wetlands with stagnant water as it increases mosquito breeding grounds.
Again mosquitoes seek protection from direct sunlight in shaded wetlands, wooded places, and pods. This makes such areas even more dangerous during the day.
What Time Of Day Do Mosquitoes Go Away?
Mosquitoes are considered very fragile insects. Besides having long, weak-looking legs and small size, mosquitoes also can't handle the high temperatures of a sunny morning. That's why you rarely see them during late morning hours and sunny afternoons.
So, does that mean that mosquitoes sleep? Mosquitoes do not sleep like we do. When they aren't flying to find a host, mosquitoes are resting ('sleeping'). They rest during the day after long periods of active flying and remain inactive unless disturbed.
What Time Of Night Are Mosquitoes Most Active?
As seen above, most mosquito species are mainly active at night because they avoid sunlight. They are especially active after dark, from dusk to dawn. Mosquitoes can sense heat and sweat from your body while you sleep. That's how they locate a sleeping host to feed on at night.
A good example is the Anopheles mosquitoes which are mainly active after midnight. Culex mosquitoes prefer to come out in the evening when the sun disappears and air temperatures start to cool. You will also see these mosquitoes during the first few hours of the night.
When Do Mosquitoes Go Away At Night?
Culex mosquitoes are most active during the evening hours, and their activities gradually taper off as the night wears on. However, please note that if the night is warm and humid, these mosquitoes will continue to cause trouble during the night.
Generally, the types of mosquitoes that come out at night (dusk to dawn) are the most vulnerable to dehydration from the sun. Hence, they avoid daylight by all means, and they are generally never seen during the day.
As dawn approaches, these species often seek out cool, wet, and shaded areas to avoid sunlight until dusk returns.
It's not uncommon for these types of mosquitoes to bite unsuspecting victims in the early evening hours when they first come out from their hiding spots. After a night of active flight, they will seek out places to hide again before dawn.
With such an activity pattern, you can expect most mosquito bites to occur in the early evening hours and throughout the night till dawn. Hence, you must ensure effective mosquito control to protect yourself and your loved ones from risky mosquito bites.
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