When Is Mosquito Season in North Carolina?

Mosquito on blade of grass

As far as outdoor pests go, mosquitos are one of the worst offenders. These pesky little critters can prevent you and your family from enjoying the outdoors, whether it’s your backyard or patio. For North Carolina residents, mosquitos are a significant problem, with Charlotte being one of the worst-hit cities in the United States.

So, with that in mind, let’s dive into mosquito season in NC and what you can do to prepare yourself and your family.

North Carolina’s Mosquito Season

Mosquitos love warm climates, so the months when they’re most active in North Carolina are from April to October. However, summertime is when you can find mosquitos swarming the most, thanks to the abundance of hot air and lack of running water.

What Makes the Mosquito Season Worse?

Two factors can affect mosquito populations more than anything else: rainfall and ambient temperature. So, if spring was unusually wet, it can lead to larger swarms once summer hits. However, if the spring was pretty dry, you’ll likely notice fewer of the buzzing insects than usual. 

Climate change is also making the mosquito season longer and more intense. These days, it takes longer for winter to arrive, and even when it does, it can end just as quickly as it came. So, mosquitos have more time to breed and multiply, leading to worse effects for North Carolina residents. 

How To Deal With Mosquitos During Peak Seasons

Although mosquitos are a pervasive and annoying pest, they’re not invulnerable. There are a few ways that you can mitigate their peskiness around your home, such as:

  • Cover Up: Since mosquitos need to feed off your skin, the best way to avoid bites is to cover up as much of your skin as possible. Doing this can be challenging during the hottest months of the year, but it’s often better than dealing with a ton of itchy bites. 
  • Use Mosquito Spray: Not all mosquito sprays are identical, with some outperforming others. You might need to try a few different brands to find one that works best for you and your family. Then, be sure to spray yourself whenever you’re planning on being outside. 
  • Destroy Mosquito Habitats: These pests need standing water to lay eggs and breed larva, so you can remove any areas where water might collect. Examples can include old tires, dips in the yard, bird feeders, and planters. Be sure to inspect these locations regularly and scrub them after tossing any water out. 
  • Call Professional Mosquito Control Experts: Consumer-grade sprays are not as effective as those used by pest control companies. Plus, you can utilize eco-friendly pest control that won’t harm pets or other local wildlife. Yes, you’ll have to spend more money, but you’ll get to enjoy your outdoor spaces more easily during the season.

What Times of Day are Mosquitos Most Active? 

Although mosquitos prefer warm climates, they tend to avoid direct sunlight. As with all insects, mosquitos can’t regulate their internal temperature, so too much sun can dehydrate and kill them. Overall, these pests are most active in the morning and late afternoon. As a rule, you shouldn’t have to worry about them as much during midday. 

Types of Mosquitos in North Carolina

There are three primary kinds of mosquitos found in the state: Northern House, Asian Tiger, and Northern Saltmarsh Mosquitos. Let’s break down some core elements to know about each breed.

  • Northern House Mosquitos: You can find these insects throughout North Carolina, as they like to breed in storm drains, ditches, and pools. You can tell a Northern House Mosquito because of its light brown color. These insects grow up to 1/4 inches long on average, and they’re the most common variety in urban areas. 
  • Asian Tiger Mosquitos: As the name suggests, these mosquitos have stripes that differentiate them from other breeds. Unlike House Mosquitos, these insects like to breed in containers, such as planters and birdbaths. Asian Tiger Mosquitos are most active in the evening and at night, but you can see them buzzing around during the daytime as well. 
  • Eastern Saltmarsh Mosquitos: You will mainly find these pests around the North Carolina coastline since it breeds in saltwater marshes. Unfortunately, this species will bite more often than the others, making them more hazardous and potentially deadly. Typically, Eastern Saltmarsh Mosquitos can carry diseases like eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). 

Mosquito Control in North Carolina

As we mentioned, the best way to mitigate mosquitos is to utilize professional pest control services. However, hiring a company to come out and spray your yard likely won’t solve the problem for good. Instead, follow these tips:

  • Spray at The Beginning of The Season: It’s often best to call the pros before mosquito season ramps up. This ensures that technicians can kill larva before they hatch, effectively removing the problem before it starts. Plus, they can spray the vegetation around your house, which will kill any nearby mosquitos that might land on those plants. 
  • Get Routine Service: Unfortunately, mosquito sprays don’t last forever, and they need to be reapplied regularly. Having technicians come out to your house every month during mosquito season can keep the pest populations under control and prevent massive swarms later in the season. 
  • Be Careful of Collateral Damage: Another side effect of mosquito sprays is that they can kill other insects that might land on vegetation, including helpful species. So, if you have a garden, you might need to utilize different solutions to avoid killing beneficial insects.

Contact Carolina Pest Management for Mosquito Control in NC

Don’t let mosquitos ruin your spring and summer plans. Instead, let Carolina Pest Control manage these pests so that you can enjoy the outdoors all season long. Contact our pest removal specialists, and we’ll do a site visit, then draft an action plan for your home. See what we can do for you and your family!
Contact Carolina Pest Management online or give us a call at 704-350-2674 today to schedule mosquito control.

By Kristin Dodd

Kristin Dodd, the President of Carolina Pest Management, has been with the company full-time for over 20 years, but has been a part of the family-owned business for much longer. She is currently an active board member of the North Carolina Pest Management Association, and was the President from 2010-2011. She is a licensed operator in...