Mosquito Season Predicted to be More Severe Than Usual

Posted: May 5, 2023 10:00 am

Mosquito season is shaping up to be worse in many areas of the country this spring. Why is the prevalence of these pesky insects increasing this year?

Read on for how the weather over the past few months has contributed to this increase.

Wet and Warm Winter Contributes to More Severe Mosquito Season

It was an unseasonably wet and warm winter for much of the U.S. These conditions have created the perfect breeding ground for these bloodsucking mosquitos.

While the West Coast was dealing with heavy rain and snowfall for much of the winter season, the South experienced temperatures that trended much warmer than normal. Both of these factors have been shown to increase the amount of mosquitos as the temperatures climb in the spring.

Officials in California are already warning about an increase in these pests in the coming weeks as the start of mosquito season gets going. More mosquito activity has already been observed across many parts of the Golden State, marking an earlier than usual start to the season.

Mosquitos wait through the winter for the warm temperatures to arrive. Once this happens, they lay eggs in warm pools of water. While mosquitos are typically just a nuisance, they also can carry the potentially deadly West Nile Virus.

The pests can also transfer a variety of pathogens to new hosts, spreading infectious diseases such as yellow fever and malaria.

How to Reduce Mosquitos on Your Property

Although you cannot prevent mosquitoes from infiltrating your area, there are steps that you can take to reduce their prevalence. Homeowners should be diligent about clearing standing water that has gathered on their property.

Areas most likely to see this standing water include outdoor containers, kiddie pools and play equipment, wheelbarrows, low-lying spots, dog bowls, pool covers, bird baths, and tire swings.  

You should also take care to clean out clogged roof gutters. These gutters can hold water that provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes if they are not cleaned regularly. A dirty gutter is full of everything that these insects need to breed, including food, water, and shelter.

Another good step is to put a screen over drain covers so that mosquitos are not able to enter and replicate.

Good tools to have in your yard to control the local mosquito population also include citronella torches or candles, fans that disperse the bugs, and mosquito zappers that rely on the use of carbon dioxide and heat to kill insects.

Residents of areas prone to mosquitos may want to consider investing in professional pest control. A professional-grade mosquito spray can go a long way in controlling these infestations.

How to Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes

There are also things that you can do to protect yourself while outside. Wearing mosquito repellant is a good start. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a repellant registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

These products are available as spays, sticks, and creams, making it easy to find a suitable version for your personal needs and preferences.

The CDC recommends using a repellant that boasts at least 20% of DEET. Be sure to read the label of the products that you are considering to ensure that this threshold is met.  

You can also wear long sleeves when spending time outside during peak mosquito hours. Mosquitoes are typically the most active during dusk and dawn. There are also pieces of clothing and gear that have been treated with permethrin, a treatment that repels mosquitoes.

Taking these protective steps can limit the amount of mosquito bites that you see each season, particularly throughout communities expecting a higher volume of mosquitoes this year.

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