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Between El Niño and climate change, spring has come earlier than usual this year in the U.S. As the temperatures climb and the days stretch longer, the familiar buzzing sound of summer draws near—it’s the return of the mosquitoes. These small, troublesome insects not only disrupt outdoor activities but they also bring health concerns due to their ability to spread diseases like Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya, dengue, and malaria.
As we approach the 2024 mosquito season, Americans need to be aware of what lies ahead and how to prepare for their arrival. To shed light on this topic, we reached out to experts from Thermacell, the spatial mosquito repellent and targeted tick control solutions company, and Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company. They provided insights into the expected challenges and effective mosquito control solutions to know this year.
How the Weather Impacts Mosquito Populations
We spoke to John Hainze, vice president, science and research, at Thermacell, who explained that mosquitoes thrive in humid environments: “Warmer weather allows mosquitoes to develop more quickly and can add more mosquito generations during the summer, resulting in more mosquitoes over the length of the season.”
Many parts of the U.S. experienced abnormally dry conditions in 2023, which Hainze says, “probably contributed to lower numbers of mosquitoes than normal across the U.S. that year.” However, he went on to say that “by March of 2024, though, the proportion of the country experiencing drought dropped to its lowest level in 4 years. I think we can expect to see many more mosquitoes across most of the U.S. this year than we experienced last year.”
“The strong El Nino this past year resulted in the warmest winter on record,” adds Hainze. “So, we can expect that mosquito survival through the winter has been strong across the country.”
Hainze says that according to forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), April through June of this year are expected to experience above-average temperatures across most of the U.S. Coupled with expected normal or above-normal precipitation levels nationwide, these conditions are poised to provide perfect conditions for mosquito populations to breed.
The trend of warmer and wetter conditions is projected to persist into the summer months, and it will be particularly dramatic along the East Coast spanning from Louisiana to Maine.
Will Certain Parts of the Country Be More Impacted Than Others?
Mosquito season varies widely based on what part of the country you live in, with some regions being hit harder than others. Hainze explains that “Based on projected weather conditions, it looks like there is the potential for a particularly strong mosquito season throughout the eastern U.S.”
David Price, director of technical services and associate certified entomologist at Mosquito Joe, agrees: “The Mid-Atlantic and southeastern parts of the U.S. will experience more severe mosquito problems, as there will be more accumulating water and slightly above to above-normal temperatures increasing the relative humidity. This will provide for more breeding grounds and rapid lifecycle movement.”
Hainze adds, “As we continue to experience a warming climate, we are seeing a number of mosquito species expanding their range northward, including important disease-carrying species. This may result in mosquito activity and disease transmission concerns previously unknown in these northern states.”
How to Prepare for Mosquito Season
With a rise in mosquito activity on the horizon, homeowners can take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families.
Hainze explains that mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs in or at the edge of standing, stagnant water. “Homeowners should remove any unnecessary containers in their yards that might provide mosquitoes a place to breed. For containers that you need for other purposes, such as a bird bath or plant pot, plan to dump them out once per week,” says Hainze. “If you can’t dump them out, then you should flush them with water or treat them with a biological larvicide.”
Price also highlights the importance of minimizing places where mosquitoes can breed close to your home. He suggests that people “remove water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other receptacle that could serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.” He also says that keeping swimming pool water treated and circulating not only maintains water quality but also prevents mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water.
Closing off openings in walls, doors, and windows prevents mosquitoes from infiltrating indoor areas. Making sure your window and door screens are in good working order is another key step in keeping your home mosquito-free.
Another method includes products that are designed to keep mosquitoes away. According to Hainze, “The E55 Mosquito Repeller is a great Thermacell product that keeps mosquitoes away with the only EPA-registered formula that creates a 20-foot zone of protection. It’s people- and pet-friendly and repels mosquitoes in the air through heat-activated technology.”
Sunday Lawn Care’s Mosquito Deleto Bug Control Spray & Repellent is another effective mosquito repellent product that homeowners can spray once a month to create an inhospitable environment for mosquitos. When trying to get rid of mosquitoes, it can also be helpful to choose plant varieties that are known to repel mosquitos.
Armed with knowledge and effective mosquito management strategies, homeowners can safeguard themselves and their families from the annoyance and potential health risks posed by these pests.
