When Is Mosquito Season? U.S. Start & End Times by Region

Can you name one person who loves mosquitoes? We’re drawing a blank, too! While we know that each and every little thing on this amazing planet is valuable and serves a purpose, it’s hard to understand that concept when it comes to these little critters. To the average Joe and Jane, they are simply a nuisance to be avoided.

So you may be wondering, when exactly is mosquito season? When does the season end? What environments do these insects thrive in? If your goal is to avoid mosquito bites and keep these annoying pests away, it’s good to know the answers to these questions.

These pests do come during a certain time of year and do eventually go away, but this all depends on where you live. Let’s break this all down for you so that you’ll be prepared with mosquito control strategies, and know when to stock up on EPA-approved repellents like Stay Away® Mosquitoes.

What Conditions Do Mosquitoes Like?

Mosquitoes thrive in certain conditions that make them hard to avoid once the season begins. Here are the main factors that bring them out:

• Temperature: Mosquitoes become active once temperatures consistently reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10°C) and thrive between 50–80°F (10–27°C). If the temperature is consistently below 50°F, they become inactive or hibernate until things warm back up. Essentially, warmer temperatures accelerate activity, while cooler temperatures cause mosquitoes to slow down or die off.
• Water: The first three stages of a mosquito’s life cycle happen in water. Females lay eggs in stagnant water, which hatch into larvae before eventually emerging as biting adults. These breeding spots can be as simple as bird baths, flowerpots, clogged gutters, or other small water sources around your home. Heavy rains can trigger sudden mosquito population spikes, making it feel like they have appeared overnight.
• Humidity: Warm, humid air helps mosquitoes survive longer by keeping them from drying out. That’s why muggy climates like the Southeast and Midwest often experience heavy mosquito activity during the summer.

When these factors come together, they create the perfect storm for mosquitoes to thrive. Understanding what attracts them makes it easier to see why some seasons—and some regions—are hit harder than others.

When is Mosquito Season in the US?

Across most of the U.S., mosquito season generally runs from late spring through late fall, with peak activity in the summer months. However, the exact timing depends on where you live. So, let’s look at each region to get a clear picture of when these little pests are most active.

Northeast Region

Mosquito Season: Begins mid-April to early-May and ends mid to late-October. These pests come out for the shortest period of time in the Northeast region of the US. This includes New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Typically, once you reach the end of October, you guys have it made! But don’t get too comfortable, your warm summers bring the mosquitoes out in full force. There is no shortage once they move in.

Southeast Region

Mosquito Season: Begins as early as February and doesn’t end until November. The southeast area of the US is hot, humid, and typically experiences mild winters, unless you live in the uppermost segment of the region, like Virginia. So, it should come as no surprise that the South has some of the most intense seasons when it comes to these insects.

According to pests.org, being the warmest and wettest section of the country, the South creates the perfect mosquito breeding grounds and ideal conditions for population growth. Unfortunately, your relief is only an average of two months out of the year. Any Floridian knows that there is little relief at all—in fact, Florida is likely to have mosquitoes breeding all year long.

Midwest Region

Mosquito Season: Begins between April and May and ends in October.This may be one of the most interesting regions in the country, climate-wise. While it experiences brutal winters, summers are hot and muggy. The Midwest reports more mosquito-borne diseases, like West Nile Virus, than any other part of the country.

Southwest Region

Mosquito Season: Begins between February and April and doesn’t end until around November.

Similar to the Southeast, this region has a longer season than other parts of the country. Even desert states aren’t exempt from these bloodthirsty pests, since just a small amount of water is enough for mosquitoes to breed. The Arizona Department of Health Services suggests that you check for standing water every week during the season.

Northwest Region

Mosquito Season: Beginning mid-April and ending early-October.

Finally, we wrap up the continental US with this region. The timing in this area pretty much mirrors the Northeast region. You all are fortunate to have a “short”—and I use that term lightly—season. Thankfully, the rainy season doesn’t directly align with mosquitoes, or this would be one of the worst places for these pests. Whew!

Hawaii and Alaska

Alaska Mosquito Season: Between June and August.

It comes as no surprise that Alaska rarely has a problem with these insects. However, they do have a type called the northern house mosquito, which is the most common type found in the northern region of the US.

Hawaii Mosquito Season: Right conditions year-round.

Hawaii, on the other hand, is most similar to South Florida. When you think of this state, you imagine warm, sunny weather, lush greenery, and breathtaking beaches. Because of that, Hawaii has the right conditions for these bugs year-round.

What Time of Day Do Mosquitos Come Out?

Experts say the time of day they are most likely to attack depends on the type of mosquito. Generally, they like to avoid direct sunlight because it can lead to dehydration. Therefore, some species are most active during the early morning before the sun is completely out, while others come out in the evening when the sun is going down. The general consensus is that you are most vulnerable around dusk, especially if you have exposed skin.

Health Risks of Mosquitoes

Beyond being a summertime nuisance, mosquitoes are also carriers of disease. Different species can spread various mosquito-borne illnesses, and the risks depend on your location and the season.

• West Nile Virus: The most commonly reported mosquito-borne illness in the U.S., with cases especially prevalent in the Midwest.
• Zika Virus: Though less common, outbreaks have been documented in southern states like Texas and Florida, where mosquito activity lasts much of the year.
• Dengue Fever: More frequently found in warmer areas, including parts of California, Florida, and Hawaii, where mosquitoes thrive in long seasons.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), risk increases during peak mosquito season when warmer temperatures and heavy rains create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to multiply.

Protecting yourself is about more than avoiding itchy bites, it’s about lowering your chances of illness.

How to Prepare and Protect Yourself from Mosquito Season

As mosquito season approaches each year, there are simple pest control steps you can take to prepare your home and yard so you’re less likely to deal with an infestation:

• Remove any standing water: Get rid of stagnant water, including your backyard kiddie pool, bird bath, puddles, etc. Avoid letting water build up near and around your home.
• Clean your gutters: Clear debris from your gutters regularly, as leaves can collect and cause water buildup which creates a perfect breeding ground for these insects!
• Wear proper clothes and avoid peak hours: You can protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and pants to keep these insects off your skin. If you want to enjoy ● Wear proper clothes and avoid peak hours: You can protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and pants to keep these insects off your skin. If you want to enjoy
• Use an effective mosquito repellent: Stay Away® Mosquitoes is an unscented mosquito and tick repellent that uses picaridin, which is CDC-recommended.

As you can see, no matter where you live, there is always the threat of being preyed upon by those pesky creatures. Be sure to protect yourself from those disease-carrying insects. Check with your state’s health services office to stay up on current trends and forecasts for the season. If you are looking for an effective insect repellent solution, check out Stay Away® Mosquitoes and make yourself invisible to pests.

As you can see, no matter where you live, there is always the threat of being preyed upon by those pesky creatures. Be sure to protect yourself from those disease-carrying insects. Check with your state’s health services office to stay up on current trends and forecasts for the season. If you are looking for an effective insect repellent solution, check out Stay Away® Mosquitoes and make yourself invisible to pests.