Why Do Mosquitoes Gather in the Shade?

Mosquitoes can be downright frustrating to deal with. That’s why homeowners need to be proactive about controlling mosquitoes on their property, and one of the best ways to do that is to understand mosquito behavior.

For example, have you wondered why mosquitoes gather in the shade and avoid sunlight?

If you’re ready to kick mosquitoes off your property and enjoy your outdoor space again, contact your local pest control service to get the job done right.

Why Do Mosquitoes Gather in the Shade?

Have you noticed that you spot more mosquitoes in the shade than in direct sunlight? Mosquitoes look for cooler places to rest when it’s hot, and shade provides the relief they need. Mosquitoes prefer shade, especially because they’re naturally drawn to cooler, sheltered environments. It’s common to find mosquitoes resting under trees, bushes and dense foliage.

Shady spots like big trees, bushes and dense foliage offer the perfect conditions for mosquitoes. It’s not uncommon to see multiple mosquitoes swarming in the shade together. However, even the underside of a leaf can provide mosquitoes with the shelter they need to avoid too much direct sunlight.

Mosquitoes can quickly dehydrate in high temperatures. Research suggests that dehydration drives their biting behavior, as explained in this article.

Shady spots can also quickly become mosquito breeding grounds. These pests lay their eggs in water, and shady locations often offer standing water spots. Puddles under trees, birdbaths and even clogged gutters are ideal places for mosquitoes to lay eggs.

These locations offer everything mosquito larvae need to thrive into adulthood: shade, moisture and shelter from predators. Your pet’s outdoor water bowl can also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, so homeowners should know what to do about mosquito larvae in water bowls.

How to Control Mosquitoes on Your Property

Before you remove all the shady spots in your yard, understand that there are better ways to deal with a mosquito infestation on your property. The most effective way to control these pests is with expert help.

To successfully control mosquitoes, you need to treat the pests at every stage of their life. A professional pest control service will locate the mosquito breeding site and control the entire population.

From there, an expert can help you put prevention measures in place to help deter mosquitoes. Do not hesitate to contact your local pest control service.

Why Don’t Mosquitoes Like Sunlight?

You may have noticed that you don’t encounter too many mosquitoes during the hottest part of the day. Instead, the most popular time to deal with most species of mosquitoes is at dusk and dawn.

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded, meaning they can’t regulate their body temperature. Instead, they hide in the shade during the hottest portion of the day when temperatures are high to stay cool.

To wait out the sun, mosquitoes take shelter under shady trees, bushes and in dense foliage like tall grass. You may even spot multiple mosquitoes swarming together in the shade during this time of day. This is a great time for mosquitoes to breed, especially if their shady hiding place is near standing water.

Mosquitoes are known for laying their eggs on the surface of water, and the hatched mosquito larvae remain underwater until they emerge as adults. To breathe, mosquito larvae have a special siphon that rests on the water’s surface.

How to Avoid Mosquitoes

Understanding the behavior of mosquitoes can help you avoid an unwanted encounter with these pests. For example, do mosquitoes bite during the day? If you enjoy the sunshine during the warmest parts of the day, you’re less likely to encounter mosquitoes at this time. That said, there are still some mosquito species active during this time, such as the Asian tiger mosquito.

If you like spending time outdoors during peak mosquito hours, you can take measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Wearing protective layers, such as long sleeves and pants, makes it harder for mosquitoes to bite you. You should also apply a mosquito repellent.

To reduce mosquitoes on your property, it’s important to eliminate standing water. Anything from a puddle to your dog’s water bowl can become a mosquito breeding ground.

If the mosquito problem has gotten out of hand, contact a local pest control company. They will locate the mosquito breeding grounds and control these pests.

Does Anything Actually Work to Repel Mosquitoes?

A mosquito infestation is very frustrating for homeowners, especially when you feel like you’ve tried all the tricks in the book to repel these pests.

However, it’s important not to give up when it comes to controlling mosquitoes. These pests aren’t just annoying, they can also carry diseases and negatively impact your time outdoors.

The best way to control mosquitoes is with a professional pest control service. The experts have the right tools and experience to control the mosquito population so that you can enjoy your outdoor space again.

While most DIY treatments don’t live up to their promises, there are some steps that homeowners can take to complement professional treatments. Eliminating any standing water on your property can go a long way in warding off these pests.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs on the water’s surface, and getting rid of potential breeding grounds can help minimize their population. Inspect your property for puddles, clogged gutters and any other pooled water.

Bird baths and outdoor water features can also become mosquito breeding grounds. It’s important to refresh this water regularly so you don’t give the mosquito eggs a chance to hatch. If you have an outdoor pet water bowl, dump it out and refresh it daily.

Another thing you can do to complement the professional mosquito treatment is to use screens on your doors and windows to keep them out of your home.

You should also maintain a trimmed and clutter-free lawn. During the warmest part of the day, mosquitoes hide in the shade of trees, bushes and overgrowth, so keeping a neat lawn can limit their hiding spots.

If you have an outdoor fan, running it while you’re outside can keep mosquitoes away from your patio area because mosquitoes are weak fliers.

Once the mosquitoes have been controlled on your property, a pest control service can also put preventative measures in place to help deter them from returning. Instead of wasting your time with ineffective treatments, you can leave it to the experts and enjoy your yard again.

Take Back Your Home From Mosquitoes

Ready to control mosquitoes on your property? The first step is understanding mosquito behavior, such as why they gather in the shade and avoid too much sunlight. The next step is to contact a pest control service to reduce the mosquito population.

Professional treatments are more effective than DIY solutions because they address the mosquito population at every phase of life, including the eggs and larvae.

An expert will also work with you to put preventative measures in place so you can enjoy your time outdoors again.

Chem-free Can Reduce Mosquito Populations on Your Property

Mosquitoes can make you miserable. If you’re ready to limit the number of mosquitoes buzzing around your property, contact Chem-free Pest Control. We offer holistic methods of mosquito control that have your family in mind. This way, you can feel comfortable at home again.