WHEN ARE MOSQUITOES MOST ACTIVE? LANGHORNE, PA
From the late spring, throughout the summer and into the beginning of fall, it's common for Langhorne residents to be bothered by mosquitoes.
Unfortunately, these also are the times when people most want to be outdoors, enjoying pool parties, barbecues, baseball games and more. When mosquitoes crash the party, the good times are cut short.
The period between late spring and early fall could be called "mosquito season." This is when the mosquito population is reproducing. It begins with females taking a blood meal from a host. This prepares her for laying eggs.
The eggs are laid in stagnant water. Even one-eighth of an inch of water is enough for this purpose. Those eggs develop into larvae, which basically are hairy worms. They feed on microorganisms in the water so they can keep growing. After molting, the larvae transform into pupae. They are wrapped up in a protective cocoon for between one and four days before emerging as fully formed adults.
Those adults are ready to feed and reproduce. Altogether, the mosquito life cycle ranges from four days to four weeks. When mosquitoes find ways to settle indoors, they can extend their
lives to up to six months.
WHAT TIME OF DAY ARE MOSQUITOES MOST ACTIVE?
The answer to this question depends upon the species of mosquitoes that are present. Scientists estimate that there are in excess of 3,000 mosquito species on the planet. While not all of these are present in Langhorne, more than one species is found locally.
The two main species in the region are the common house mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito. Common house mosquitoes are active when people expect them to be, which generally is between dusk and dawn. However, the Asian tiger mosquito is more active during the day. This means that in places where both species are present, people will be bothered by these pests on a 24/7-basis.
People are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes when they are outdoors in areas that are wooded, shady or contain wetlands. Even a full moon can increase your chances of being bitten by a mosquito by as much as 500 percent.
The mosquitoes that are more active at night do not prefer the moonlight. They simply can't tolerate the sunshine. Dehydration is a threat for most mosquitoes during the daytime, so they seek shelter during these hours.
Of course, Asian tiger mosquitoes are an exception. They are hardier and better able to survive exposure to sunlight.
WHICH TYPES OF PESTS DO EXTERMINATORS TREAT?
A professional pest control service is prepared to deal with all of the most common pests in the local area. This may include mammals like mice and rats as well as insects like wasps, ants, termites, carpenter ants, cockroaches and many others.
Whenever you see a pest indoors, chances are good that your local pest control provider is equipped to deal with it. The exterminator knows that there is not one approach to pest control that works on all creatures. Accordingly, it is essential that the problem species be correctly identified through a thorough inspection.
Once the exterminator knows which pests are infesting the building, it's possible to use a combination of traps, sprays, fumigation, baits, poisons and other methods to ensure that pests are gone for good.
MOSQUITOES AT NIGHT
Sunlight is deadly to most mosquitoes. Accordingly, they hide in damp, shady places until the sun begins to set. Even Asian tiger mosquitoes, which are more likely to engage in daytime activity, avoid the greatest heat of the day.
This is why people tend to associate mosquito bites with being outdoors in the evening. In fact, there's an excellent reason for this. Female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite people. They need a blood meal so that they can begin laying eggs. As they emerge from a cool, damp and shady hiding spot while the sun sets, they look for a quick, easy meal. This is the time when the mosquito's appetite for blood is at its most voracious.
After spending much of the night feeding and engaging in reproductive activities, the mosquitoes again seek a cool, shady place to rest before dawn.
Of course, if mosquitoes find a way to get inside a building, then they are protected from direct sunlight. This may cause them to be active throughout the day and night. Mosquitoes will bite the same people repeatedly if no alternative hosts are present.
WORST TIME OF DAY FOR MOSQUITOES
Anyone who is serious about avoiding mosquito bites needs to know when it's best to stay indoors. Usually, it's the hours around dusk that are the most active for local mosquito species. This is when people are most likely to be plagued by both the daytime-loving Asian tiger mosquito and the nighttime-active common house mosquito.
Dusk is the last opportunity for Asian tiger mosquitoes to feed before they rest. At the same time, common house mosquitoes are emerging from a restful daytime period. They wake up ravenous, and multiple bites are likely to result.
Most mosquito species are sensitive to temperature. This means that these pests may emerge earlier on days that are cooler and more overcast. Similarly, hot days with long hours of sunlight cause mosquitoes to come out later.
ARE MOSQUITOES OUT IN THE MORNING?
Mosquitoes certainly may be encountered in the morning, especially in the hours just before and after dawn. Temperatures are cool at this time, and there's little direct sunlight. Accordingly, mornings are ideal for mosquitoes that are seeking blood meals.
Common house mosquitoes do tend to seek shelter before the worst of the sunlight and heat make their appearance. These pests may retreat to a shady spot just before dawn to protect themselves. However, if the morning is cool, they might extend their activity in the hope of obtaining another meal.
Morning is when Asian tiger mosquitoes usually emerge after a night of rest. They like to get in a blood meal before the worst heat of the day forces them to rest. Once things begin cooling off, they may appear again for another feeding.
ARE MOSQUITOES MORE ACTIVE AT NIGHT?
Most mosquito species are far more active at night than they are during the day. This is attributed to the fact that these insects are not well-adapted to be exposed to sunlight. With surprising speed, an unwary mosquito can become dehydrated and die if it ventures out in the worst heat of the day.
Some species, such as the Asian tiger mosquito, are better adapted to being active during the day. Still, they may hide in a cool, damp area if the heat becomes too much for them.
In fact, the University of California, Irvine conducted a study that concluded that different species of mosquito are repelled and attracted by varying light colors at different hours of the day.
Findings such as these indicate that it is not possible to decide to be inside by 7:00 pm or another specific time to avoid mosquito bites. As the time of sunset changes throughout late spring to early fall, the amount and color of available light will continually shift, and this has a direct effect on mosquito activity.
Accordingly, it's wiser to enact mosquito control measures than to try to avoid mosquitoes.
WHY ARE MOSQUITOES WORSE AT NIGHT?
Night offers protection for mosquitoes, many species of which cannot stand up to exposure to direct sunlight.
Mosquitoes are cold blooded. As such, it's essential for them to be aware of ambient temperatures at all times. Climates that are warm and humid are ideal. Cold weather causes the members of some species to die while other species go into hibernation only to reemerge with warmer temperatures in the following spring.
Many mosquitoes are particularly aware of temperatures around 50-degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime temperatures above this threshold signal many mosquitoes to cease hibernation. Winter eggs also begin hatching at this point.
As long as temperatures remain below 80-degrees Fahrenheit, most mosquito species can remain active. Any hotter temperatures will slow activity, and this is when many species are in the dehydration danger zone.
Nighttime promises cooler temperatures and less risk.
WHAT TIME OF DAY DO MOSQUITOES BITE?
People who venture out around dusk are most likely to be the victims of mosquito bites. With the setting sun and cooler temperatures, mosquitoes are freer to be active at this time.
It's possible for property owners to take steps that may minimize the number of mosquitoes in the area. For instance, getting rid of clutter around the premises can be a huge help. Water tends to collect in things like old tires, planters, tarps, open garbage cans and clogged gutters. Only a surprisingly small amount of water is required for any one of these items to become a mosquito nursery.
People who want to avoid mosquito bites are encouraged to get rid of clutter in the yard.
WHAT TIME DO MOSQUITOES ENTER THE HOUSE?
Mosquitoes may enter a house when trying to avoid the heat and sunshine of the day. Dusk is another time when they are likely to blunder indoors, looking for an easy blood meal.
Getting inside homes and other buildings is not much of a challenge to mosquitoes, considering their small size and determination to find a host. An open window, a door screen with a hole in it or a small crack or fissure in an exterior wall is enough to let these pests indoors.
If mosquitoes have invaded your space, then you need a pest management professional to evict them.
