When Does Mosquito Season Start in Florida?

Stepping outside and immediately being attacked by a mosquito is a nuisance many Florida residents have experienced. If you’re constantly being pestered by mosquitoes, you might be wondering if they’ll ever go away.

Mosquitoes are more dangerous than you might think. To keep you and your property safe, take the time now to learn about when mosquito season is, how long it lasts, and how to prevent mosquito season from taking over your property.

When are Mosquitoes Most Prominent?

Heavy humidity and warm temperatures are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. While Mosquito Season is traditionally in the summer, or ranging from March to October, in many areas of Florida mosquitoes can be found in nearly any month.

Rainy thunderstorms and hurricane season leave behind puddles of standing water that mosquitoes fill with their eggs, and within a week those larvae turn into adults. If you don’t take care of these water sources on your property, which could also be in the form of bird baths, flower pots, or neglected pools, a mosquito infestation could go on forever.

Are Mosquitoes Around Year-Round in Florida?

For many cities in Florida, mosquitoes are active year-round. If your local daily temperatures never drop below 50°F, it’s not cold enough for mosquito activity to slow down, and they won’t go into dormancy for the winter. You may notice that they seem to temporarily disappear on colder days, but they’ll come right back as soon as it warms up again.

What Time of Day are they Most Active?

Depending on the species and nearby environmental factors, mosquitoes may be more active at different times. However, they generally prefer transitionary times, such as dawn and dusk.

• Dawn and Dusk: If the sun is transitioning, mosquitoes are likely out hunting for something. Whether it’s a meal or a new breeding ground, you might notice that they’re more aggressive while on their mission.
• Night: Dealing with mosquitoes at night is also a common issue, as many mosquito species are nocturnal and venture out at night. They use the darkness to their advantage and sneak up on their hosts without being seen.
• Day: Although not as common, mosquitoes can be active in the day, especially in heavily shaded areas and overcast weather. Some species are also more likely to be spotted, such as Aedes mosquitoes, which have evolved to hunt in the daytime when they have less competition.

How to Know the Severity of the Upcoming Season

If you’ve noticed that it’s been a warm winter and humid winter, the upcoming mosquito season will likely be worse. When mosquito populations aren’t wiped out annually, they grow exponentially into a bigger and bigger issue, as the new adults lay even more eggs. This is a major issue, especially in Southern Florida, that leads to mosquitoes spreading diseases such as Dengue, Malaria, West Nile Virus, and Zika.

Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus (asian tiger mosquitoes), Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquitoes), and Anopheles quadrimaculatus (common malaria mosquitoes) are all known to spread diseases within Florida. If you suspect any of these species may be near you or your property, contact a professional pest control provider immediately.

How to Prepare for Mosquito Season

To protect your home from an upcoming mosquito swarm, there are a few steps you can take.

1. Empty out any sources of standing water. Dump out any outdoor containers, kids toys, plant pots, or other objects as soon as you notice water in them. Keep your gutters clean to prevent debris from keeping the water inside of them. If there’s no standing water on your property, the mosquitoes will have nowhere to lay their eggs.
2. Use approved pesticides as directed. Using pesticides such as DEET, while carefully following the instructions on the bottle, can be effective at preventing a mosquito issue. Spray items that will be around those you’d like to protect, such as clothes or nearby furniture, rather than skin directly.
3. Reduce bites with physical deterrents. To protect yourself from disease, physically prevent mosquitoes from biting by wearing long sleeved protective clothing and putting up mosquito netting in outdoor areas.
4. Avoid going out at peak mosquito hours. If possible, try to stay inside during dawn and dusk hours, when many mosquitoes are likely to be looking for their next meal.

Get Professional Mosquito Control Services for Your Property Today

You shouldn’t struggle with a mosquito issue on your own. Mosquitoes can be dangerous, especially in Florida, and immediate treatment is crucial for the wellbeing of you and those on your property. While preventative steps can be useful, they may not be enough depending on your individual environmental factors and local species.

Reach out to Sorko Lawn and Pest Control today to get a free inspection for your property, and protection before a larger issue develops.