Mosquito “Season”

Mosquito season:

During the fall and the winter we experience some relief from the itchy, red bites of mosquitoes that put a damper on barbecues and other backyard fun, but mosquito season doesn’t actually begin in those hot summer months; in North Carolina the season begins much earlier. 

So when does mosquito season start?

There are 176 species of mosquitoes in the United States, and they don’t all follow the same patterns of hibernation but temperature plays a huge role among all mosquito activity. Generally activity begins when temperatures reach 50 degrees, but that’s just where it starts; their activity and numbers grow as the days get hotter. 

What does that mean for North Carolina? 

Typically in late April and early March the temperatures in the Carolinas will reach and exceed 50 degrees and so begins the bulk of seasonal mosquito activity. To most effectively treat these pests it is best to start treatment before the bites start.

Why be concerned? 

Mosquitoes pose more of a threat than the benign and itchy bites they leave behind. According to a joint statement issued by the EPA and the CDC, “Mosquito-borne diseases are among the world's leading causes of illness and death today.” In that same statement the organizations advocate for the use of insecticide applied by professionals in order to reduce the overall population and the risk to US citizens.