2024 Mosquito Forecast

The warmer and wetter it is, the more likely it will be for you to have mosquitoes. They thrive in moist, tropical climates, but can live and breed anywhere it’s warm and wet. That’s why you will find them in all 50 states.

Mosquitoes can successfully lay and breed their eggs in just a few inches of water. They will use something as big as a pond or something as small as a puddle. Female mosquitoes can lay between 50 to 200 eggs, and the four stages of the mosquito life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) takes only eight to 10 days to complete.

Even though mosquitoes prefer warm temperatures, they are less likely to bite you the hotter it gets. But when they do decide to bite in extreme heat, it can make the diseases they carry more transmissible. Weather below 50 degrees Fahrenheit causes mosquitoes to become inactive. And while rainfall can increase mosquito infestations, precipitation can also disturb eggs that have already been laid and keep them from growing into adults.

But it’s important to know that mosquitoes can emerge at any time of year. can come out of hibernation and become active when temperatures consistently reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that mosquito eggs can hatch during the winter. So, no matter the season, it’s best to protect yourself year-round.

No one enjoys mosquitoes buzzing in their ears or having itchy, red bumps they can’t help but scratch. Being bitten by a mosquito is uncomfortable, but some carry dangerous diseases, such as the West Nile Virus, Dengue, and Malaria. That’s why  it’s crucial to protect you and your loved ones from mosquitoes, especially from July to September during their peak feeding season. 

Prevention is key, so follow these important steps to cut down on the likelihood of mosquitoes in and around your property.

Lawn Care

• Remove standing or stagnant water around your home
• Do not overwater your lawn – mosquitoes breed in areas with standing water
• Keep grass cut low – mosquitoes can’t hide in short grass
• Use citronella candles or tiki torches around areas where you spend time outside
• Change birdbath water regularly
• Keep gutters clean
• Buy mosquito-repellent plants, including geraniums,marigolds and lemon grass

Personal Care

• Wear pants, socks and long-sleeved shirts outside at dusk
• Use EPA-certified insect repellents 
• Stay inside during peak times – mosquitoes are more prevalent during dusk and dawn

Pet Care

• Use dog-friendly insect repellent 
• Keep water bowls inside at times when mosquitoes are most prevalent
• Avoid having your pets outside during peak mosquito hours

One of the best and most consistent ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquitoes is by using a professional pest control service. Technicians are trained to find infestations and have powerful methods to eliminate them. Most of them use eco-friendly sprays and chemicals and effective mosquito traps. They can cover large areas of your yard with year-round treatments, get rid of mosquito larvae before it hatches and eliminate breeding grounds on your property.

Zika Virus

A urine or blood test is needed to determine if you have the Zika virus. While many people with this virus won’t have symptoms, others will experience a fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, rash, and red eyes. These symptoms can last from a few days up to a week. This virus is typically transmitted through an infected Aedes species mosquito. According to Statista,California, Georgia, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Virginia reported cases of this virus in 2019.This is a much lower number in comparison to the more than 400 cases of the Zika virus reported in 2016.

West Nile Virus

According to the CDC, the West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. During the summer and through the fall, this virus is transferred to mosquitoes feeding on infected birds, then the mosquitoes infect humans. Most people don’t experience any symptoms of West Nile, but those who do can suffer numbness, fever, headache, stiffness of the neck and vision loss. In extreme but rare cases, people can become disoriented, experience convulsions or enter into a coma. According to Vector Disease Control International, 49 out of 50 states reported cases of this virus in 2018, and 34 states reported cases of West Nile in 2019.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but serious condition that causes brain inflammation. It can affect anyone but people older than 50 and younger than 15 are at the greatest risk. People who are infected with EEE often have no symptoms, but the disease can cause a sudden onset of a headache, chills, high fever and vomiting. Severe symptoms include seizures, brain inflammation, disorientation and coma. Cases of EEE are typically found in eastern parts of the U.S. and along the coast in the South.

Malaria

Malaria is one of the most deadly diseases that can be passed on by female Anopheles mosquitoes.. In 2018, malaria was responsible for more than 400,000 deaths globally, per Statista. The industry resource also notes there were nearly 3,000 cases of malaria in the U.S. in 2016. Symptoms appear within eight to 25 days and can include fatigue, fever, headache, and vomiting. According to the CDC, malaria is likely to be found in tropical and subtropical areas where the Anopheles mosquito can live and breed. All the cases of malaria in the U.S. were brought into the country by international travelers.

Dengue

Dengue can spread through the bites of the infected Aedes Albopictus and Aedes Aegypti mosquito. A mosquito carrying the virus typically lays its eggs near standing water in containers, including flower pots, pet food bowls and vases. These mosquitoes can bite during both day and night. According to the CDC, this virus is common in more than 100 countries globally, but not in the U.S. Americans who contract dengue bring it into the country after international travel.. Symptoms of dengue include joint, muscle, eye and bone pain, rash, headache, nausea and vomiting.

Chikungunya Virus

Mosquitoes can become infected with the Chikungunya virus after biting someone who already has it. The Aedes Aegypti and Aedes albopictus species spread the virus. These mosquitoes bite day and night and lay their eggs in water containers, such as flowerpots and tires. According to the Pan American Health Organization, the most common symptoms of the virus include joint pain and an abrupt fever. The Chikungunya virus can be contracted worldwide, and according to Statista, 171 cases were reported in the U.S. in 2019, but they were all travelers who had returned from infected areas.

Yellow Fever

While this disease is found in both tropical and subtropical areas in South America and Africa, yellow fever is rare in Americans , according to the CDC. Symptoms include aches and pain, fever, liver disease, yellowing skin (jaundice), and bleeding. The CDC says Americans who have become infected with yellow fever are typically living, visiting, or working in jungle border areas of South American or Africa .

• Wash and clean the bitten area with soap and water
• Use an antihistamine or anti-itch cream to help with the itching
• Apply ice to help with inflammation
• Use aloe vera to soothe the itching and redness from the bite
• Use hydrocortisone cream to help the itching and inflammation

If none of these methods work, the bite isn’t going away or your symptoms worsen, it is best to see a doctor. Be aware of the chance of being infected with a mosquito-borne disease. If you’re experiencing joint and muscle pain, vomiting, rash, fever, or a headache, see a doctor immediately.