Anyone who’s lived in Arizona during the spring and summer months knows that walking home around sunset can be a challenge as hordes of mosquitoes buzz by and harass you from every direction.
Mosquitoes are an ever-present problem, but why are they so active in the evenings? Today, we’ll take a deep dive into mosquito behavior to discover what makes mosquitoes so eager to come out as the sun goes down, and what you can do to keep your outdoor spaces prepared for these pests.
Mosquito Activity and Their Environment
The level of mosquito activity, their reproductive rate, and their tendency to bite are all influenced by their environment. Mosquitoes in Arizona are most prevalent during the monsoon season, from June to September, when temperatures and humidity are at their highest.
However, even during the winter months, mosquitoes remain active. The combination of warm temperatures and abundant standing water creates perfect conditions for mosquito breeding and feeding activity year-round, but their behavior does change with the seasons.
At What Temperature Do Mosquitoes Die?
Mosquitoes are hardy pests that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but being cold-blooded, they are not as resistant to extreme cold or heat as humans and other mammals. Mosquitoes will seek shelter when the temperature reaches around 50° F and continues to drop, and unfortunately, they often choose commercial and residential buildings to stay warm.
Mosquitoes tend to fare better in the heat, but in temperatures above 95° F, they can experience dehydration like any other animal. Perhaps more importantly, high temperatures reduce the availability of standing water, giving mosquitoes fewer places to reproduce and reducing their populations.
Mosquitoes and Carbon Dioxide
“A breath of fresh air” means something very different to a mosquito than it does to the rest of us. Mosquitoes, despite their appearance, don’t fly around aimlessly looking for their next meal. They use their powerful sense of smell through special receptors in their antennae to detect carbon dioxide exhaled by birds, pets, and people.
The more active you are, such as when you are running or sweating, the more carbon dioxide you generate. This is why mosquitoes are particularly annoying while exercising outside, and once they’ve locked onto the scent, you can be sure dozens more are on the way.
Do Mosquitoes Sleep?
They’re active day and night, so it’s fair to wonder about when mosquitoes manage to find time to rest. Mosquitoes don’t truly sleep but rather rest throughout the day under leaves, in buildings, or in any shady spot they can find to conserve energy and stay cool.
Rest occurs on a daily basis, but during the colder months of the year, many mosquitoes enter a period of dormancy known as diapause. This is particularly common in unfavorable environments, and while similar to hibernation, it goes a step further. Mosquitoes don’t grow, develop, or reproduce during this period, which is why they all seemingly disappear once the weather turns cold.
Risks of Mosquito Bites at Night
While some nocturnal species, like Culex mosquitoes, are more active at night than during the day, most mosquitoes will bite at any time, day or night. However, for many people, mosquito bites at night tend to be more noticeable because they are more active in the cooler, darker hours, and there are fewer distractions from sunlight.
Something to remember is that mosquitoes, like many other insects, are attracted to light, though not all wavelengths. UV and blue light are their favorite, which is why many insect traps use black lights to attract pests. This is also why they are common under bright street lights, so be sure to stand clear of mosquito swarms as you head down the sidewalk.
Interestingly, mosquitoes are not attracted to yellow lights, and you can use this to your advantage by installing yellow bulbs around your home’s exterior to make your outdoor spaces less appealing to mosquitoes.
Get Professional Mosquito Control From Burns Pest Elimination
Mosquito control is always an ongoing battle. With their ability to reproduce on a massive scale and their widespread presence throughout Arizona, the best way to keep your outdoor spaces protected is through routine and reliable inspections and mosquito control treatments from Burns.
Using targeted larvicides and powerful perimeter treatments, we can keep your property better secured from mosquitoes and a host of other bothersome pests.
Request a quote today for professional mosquito control and keep your yard comfortable any time of day!