When the weather gets warmer, it’s only normal to feel energized and want to get outside. Fresh, spring air and warm sunshine can easily put us all in a good mood, eager for cookouts, picnics, and swimming pools… but a swarm of incoming mosquitoes can easily ruin that good time.
When is mosquito season exactly? It’s helpful to determine the beginning of mosquito season so you can prepare your home with the appropriate pest control.
When is Mosquito Season?
The timeframe of mosquito season depends on a few factors, including the species of mosquito, harshness of the climate, and the earliness of the spring. Temperature is one of the biggest variables when it comes to predicting the start of mosquito season.
When temperatures reach a consistent 50° fahrenheit or above, it’s common for mosquito activity to start—if the temperatures drop below 50° fahrenheit at night, the season lightens. As temperatures rise, mosquito activity will increase since mosquitoes thrive in hot weather. The peak of mosquito season is typically during the peak of summer, when the temperature is at its hottest.
So when is mosquito season in the DMV area? It can be tough to predict exact dates, but mosquito activity tends to start in April and can last well into October.
Types of Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes aren’t only native to the east coast of the U.S. There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes that have been identified all across the world, 174 of which are found in North America alone. The most common types of mosquitoes in the United States are the southern house mosquito, the house mosquito, the yellow fever mosquito, and the Asian tiger mosquito.
What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Knowing what attractants draw in mosquitoes can help you eliminate them from your home to keep pests away. Here are some things that can make you or your home more susceptible to mosquitos:
- Certain smells. Floral smells attract mosquitoes, such as scented soaps. deoderants, moisturizers, and perfumes. Many foods that have strong smells can also attract them, like certain cheeses and alcohols.
- Standing water. Mosquitoes actually spend the majority of their life in water, so having standing water in your yard easily attracts them. This goes beyond pools and house ponds. It also includes bird baths, dog dishes, flower pots, trash can lids, and anywhere else water collects and sits.
- Yard Debris. As small insects, mosquitoes are often looking for a place to find shelter, such as debris in your yard. Overgrown vegetation, leaf piles, uncut grass and grass clippings are all great hiding spots.
- Blood type. Research suggests that your blood type plays a big role in how much mosquitoes are attracted to you, with type O blood type being the most interesting to mosquitos.
Many homeowners often look into DIY pest control methods—such as planting certain species of plants or using all-purpose bug sprays—to help keep their mosquito situation under control. While some DIY pest control methods may help temporarily, most are a waste of time and energy. Professional pest control is the best way to protect your home from mosquitos for the duration of the summer.