With summer weather upon us, we have the unwelcome addition of mosquitoes. Your family activities, outdoor events, and even something simple like yard work can become unpleasant quickly when dealing with swarms of mosquitoes. We are here with some facts about when mosquitoes are at their busiest, and what you can do to reduce exposure to yourself and your family from them.
Peak Hours
The peak mosquito hours depend on the species of mosquito, however the most common mosquito on the East Coast is a Culex mosquito. Otherwise known as a “house mosquito,” the Culex pipiens mosquito is the most common type of mosquito in the United States, and it has a southern counterpart that is more common in more southern regions. This species will seek shaded shelter during the day, and will become most active at dusk and at night.
This means being on high alert during activities like backyard dinners and kids playing outside at dusk. In addition, these mosquitoes will occasionally find their way into people’s homes, and continuously bite throughout the night, so it’s important to stop this pest in its tracks before it reaches your home. First up: Maintaining a clean yard and removing any areas where water may pool and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes (this includes kids’ play structures, old tires/tarps, and unused garbage cans). Using LED lights – which emit UV wavelengths that aren’t visible to mosquitoes – and citronella candles (look for ones made with real citronella oil and stay away from added fragrances) are two good lines of defense, as is limiting backyard time once the sun sets. In the case of an outdoor event at night, the best course of action is to have a professional – like Mosquito Shield – spray the area 24-48 hours prior to the event to ensure your guests experience a mosquito-free event.
A less common mosquito – but whose presence is rising – is the Aedes species, which carries the Zika virus. While the Aedes mosquito usually lives in subtropical climates, the range of this species is still being determined and has been known to show up in temperate regions as well. Unlike the Culex mosquito, the Aedes is most active during the daytime, so it’s critical to be on alert and reduce exposure to yourself during the day.
Take Action
Of course no one wants to limit their backyard time during the summer, and in many cases – like with outdoor events at night – avoiding common mosquitoes can feel almost impossible. Wearing light colored clothing and spraying yourself with a DEET repellent are methods that are certainly helpful in deterring mosquitoes but the most foolproof solution is a mosquito barrier which will exterminate any existing mosquitoes as well as prevent future invasions.
