Mosquito Frequently Asked Questions

North Carolina has a substantial mosquito population, primarily due to environmental factors. The warm climate, significant rainfall, and diverse habitats provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

At least 60 distinct mosquito species are present in the state, occupying various locations depending on their specific breeding preferences. Mosquitoes generally lay eggs in standing water, which can be found in natural settings like wetlands, marshes, and forested areas. No matter which species are considered, these blood-sucking pests search for even tiny amounts of standing water to lay their eggs. Mosquitoes breed in water-filled containers, ditches, or old tires in urban and suburban environments.

Unfortunately for us, North Carolina is a hotbed for mosquitoes. The Charlotte area is considered one of the country's worst for these annoying and dangerous pests. Our warm, humid climate and abundant standing water sources provide ideal conditions in which they thrive. The mosquito season begins around April, typically when outdoor temperatures consistently climb to around 50ºF or higher during the day and no longer drop below freezing (32ºF) during the night. Mosquitoes are at their peak during the hot summer months, and they are particularly active in shaded areas and during dawn and dusk hours.

Mosquitoes disappear when temperatures drop below 50 degrees, but the females of the species do not die during the winter months, they go into a sort of “hibernation” state. They dig into safe places in soil, logs, or other warm places they can fit into, so they survive until warm weather comes back around. Mosquitoes often find shelter inside basements and attics to spend the winter. They then enter a suspended state different from sleep in that they stop their development and cease expending energy so that even deep freezing weather does not prevent them from quickly reanimating when temperatures rise.

Mosquitoes, regardless of species, alue="https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html" label="" type="url" href="https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html" target="_blank" data-runtime-url="https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html">live near water that has little to no movement. They love warm, shady environments with thick vegetation that border ponds, lakes, marshes, and other standing water sources. North Carolina’s heavily-treed, humid climate provides the perfect setting, so it’s no surprise our state is heavily infested. Chances are, you have them breeding in your backyard. Even a small puddle or an untended bucket can become a lure, and that’s because they lay eggs in water. Their larvae and pupae develop and live in water for at least a few days and up to a couple of weeks before becoming airborne.

Mosquitoes are warm-weather pests, and their season in North Carolina typically starts around April, when temperatures climb above 50ºF. At that time, winter-hardy eggs that were submerged under ice begin to hatch, and adults who have been hibernating during the colder weather, a state called torpor, begin to stir. The breeding cycle kicks into full swing once again when temperatures average above 60ºF, and they remain active until the average temperatures drop back down to 50ºF or below. The time of year for this has traditionally been in October; however, studies show that the effects of climate change are now lengthening the season into November.

They are most active at dawn and dusk before the sun has fully risen or set. They love warmth but cannot take the onslaught of direct sunlight because it dehydrates and kills them. They’ll be buzzing about during the evening hours, as long as the temperatures remain warm, but tend to disappear during cooler evenings, however. Additionally, you should note that they are neither nocturnal nor diurnal. For mosquitoes, it’s about avoiding the sun. If it’s a cloudy day, you can bet they’ll be bugging you constantly. That also holds if they’ve managed to get inside your house.

The possibility of one biting through clothes is more than just possible, it’s probable. They have sharp mouthparts (proboscis) that pierce through lightweight garments nearly as easily as they do skin. The heavier your clothing, the more protected you’ll be, although heavy clothing is hardly practical on a hot day. There are some options that are better than others. Choose loose-fitting garments that don’t hug your body. A mosquito’s proboscis may be sharp but only reaches so far. Also, opt for lighter colors. They often track you by body heat, and darker clothes absorb more heat.

Yes. Two actors that recently died here of West Nile Virus: Clark Middleton of The Blacklist, and Mira Furlan, who most famously played the French scientist on Lost. West Nile is the greatest mosquito-borne threat to people in the U.S., but there are others as well, including multiple types of encephalitis, dengue fever, chikungunya, and even Zika. Mosquitoes also transmit heartworm, which is not a threat to humans but a deadly danger for our pets. Over 100,000 dogs are diagnosed with heartworm annually (and those statistics only cover those who receive the treatment). Fourteen percent of those animals die of the disease, and many more suffer and have shorter lives because of it.

They are the deadliest creatures on earth. They kill up to a million people annually, and approximately 130 deaths occur from West Nile Virus in the United States. Also contributing to more deaths in the United States are Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika. Malaria is the #1 killer, but that is much rarer in the U.S. Perhaps our greatest concern is not the number of deaths here but the many debilitating illnesses they spread. This toll is devastating and countless. For most mosquito-borne illnesses there are no specific treatments, and antibiotics are ineffective. Because of this, your best defense is prevention.

The cooler months are a great time to protect your property against mosquitos before the hot weather comes. The wetter winter and spring seasons give you a good chance to identify and eliminate sources of standing water. Everything from poor groundwater drainage to an overturned trash can lid can give mosquitos prime breeding surfaces in warm weather. Check and clean gutters and drains to ensure they are not holding water. As part of spring cleaning, remove yard debris or clutter that can hide the water. If you have water features in your yard, think about ways to prevent the water from becoming stagnant. Give us a call for professional help with inspections and remediation of moisture issues and recommendations about professional exclusionary practices. 

When searching for their next blood meal, mosquitoes use their highly sensitive chemical receptors and their eyesight. They are naturally attracted to dark colors and bold patterns, so light colors in solid patterns are better clothing choices. They are highly sensitive to the carbon dioxide we exhale and the perspiration we give off. They also hone in on many common scents, including perfumes, lotions, and some soaps and deodorants. Sweet foods and even the cold beer we enjoy on hot summer days bring them in. They are highly attracted to standing water for breeding and laying eggs. It can also be your blood type that has you as a target. They prefer O blood type over the others. 

Like most insects, mosquitoes produce as many eggs and larvae as possible, as predators eat a very high number of flying adults. They have a typical life cycle  beginning with the eggs laid on water surfaces after a female has consumed a meal of blood, which then hatch within about a week after being laid. Their larval and pupal stages last another couple of weeks when they live and feed in the water they are hatched into. Once they come out of their pupal shell as adults and begin flying, the males can live for around two weeks for mating, and females can live as long as two months while mating and seeking blood to produce eggs. And begin the cycle again.

In addition to professional pest treatments that can control mosquito populations, there are some things  that you can do to keep them away. Make sure that there are no areas of standing water or areas where water can pool near your home and outdoor living spaces -- it only takes 3 or 4 days after a rain for their eggs to hatch. To keep them away from the multitude of scents that attract them to your indoor spaces, be sure to use screened doors and windows when ventilating your home. Use fans around your outdoor spaces to keep air and scents circulating away from family and guests. Well-trimmed lawns and foliage help control mosquito habitat also. 

Of course, the most well-known mosquito food is blood. Only the females bite humans and other animals to suck their blood, as it is essential to the formation of their eggs after mating. Males do not feed on blood, but they, of course, also require nourishment. Both sexes as adults feed on flowering plant nectar and sap. They require their greatest food during their growth as larvae, and this is another very important reason to control standing water. The larvae live under the top surface of the water during this growth phase and feed on the aquatic algae, naturally growing during warm weather. 

Mosquitoes have several natural predators, although no single type of natural enemy puts a huge dent in typical mosquito populations. Many birds feed on these pests, with Purple Martins and common swallows being the most important found in North Carolina. Homeowners have traditionally installed birdhouses tailored to migrating Purple Martins to help control them. Bats also feed on them when swarming at dusk. Several popular fish species feed on the larvae, and owners of private ponds and lakes often stock bluegill, bass, and catfish to control insect and algae growth. Dragonflies that live around ponds also eagerly feed on mosquitoes.