Although mosquitoes can be spotted all year round in some areas, mosquito season in Arizona begins in March, as soon as spring arrives, and lasts until October, on average, for much of the state. And although the local climate is not ideal for mosquitoes, the number of mosquito-borne disease cases has increased in the last three years. Read along to understand why.
When is Mosquito Season in Arizona?
For most Arizonans, mosquito season starts in March and extends until October, on average, but mosquitoes can be active the entire year in some parts of the state. It’s not a coincidence that the peak in mosquito activity coincides with spring — it’s when the rain creates puddles of stagnant water, where female mosquitoes lay their eggs.
Arizona’s climate is not mosquito-friendly: A good portion of the state is desertic and semi-arid. The dry, arid climate makes the state low in mosquito quantity overall. But recently, Arizona experienced one of the worst West Nile virus outbreaks in the U.S., mainly in Maricopa County. Why is that so? The answer is in two interlinked factors:
- Arizona’s monsoon season
- The effects of climate change
Arizona’s Monsoon Season
The Arizona monsoon season is a meteorological singularity that happens during summer. This event is a shift in the wind’s direction, from flowing northwest to southeast, which changes rainfall patterns. This wind shift, along with the heat of the summer, is what produces the Arizona monsoon with its characteristic thunderstorms.
The monsoon period officially begins in June and runs until September. And since mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, greater rainfall creates more mosquito breeding grounds. This leads to an increase in mosquito populations in the Valley region, affecting Phoenix (and consequently Maricopa County).
Climate Change in Arizona
More than just the precipitation, the continuously rising temperatures caused by climate change are enabling mosquitoes’ accessibility to high-latitude areas where otherwise they wouldn’t survive. With that, scientists project that mosquitoes are now able to reproduce during a longer period of the year, expanding mosquito season in Arizona.
FAQ
Mosquitoes start to decrease activity around fall and prepare for winter dormancy.
Here are the three most common mosquitoes in Arizona, out of the state’s 46 known species:
• Culex: Mosquitoes of this family are carriers of the West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus.
• Psorophora columbiae: The dark ricefield mosquito is a floodwater mosquito type that does not carry disease, but it certainly is a nuisance, as they are aggressive biters.
• Aedes aegypti:This mosquito can spread yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus. Not any of these diseases are known to be in the state, but the regional authorities consider them potential threats.
To protect your home from mosquitoes, the Arizona Department of Health Services recommends that homeowners:
• Drain any standing water sources like clogged gutters.
• Scrub, toss over, or cover any items that can hold water like birdbaths, flowerpots, and buckets every week.
• Remove any debris from your yard to reduce any chances of breeding sites forming.
• Treat water from unkempt swimming pools that cannot be drained (and is not for human consumption) with larvicides.
• Install screens in doors and windows.
To protect yourself from mosquito bites, these are the tips:
• Apply EPA-approved mosquito repellents that contain DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or picaridin.
• Wear shirts with long sleeves and long pants. For greater protection, wear insect-repellent clothing.
• Use air conditioning inside your home.
Another Way to Prevent Mosquito Bites
And there is still one more way to get rid of mosquitoes: Get a pro! Pest Gnome connects you to the best mosquito control services in Arizona. Don’t wait to get itchy, get in touch with a trusted professional today.
Main Image Credit: Kevin Dooley / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
