I have had a few questions over the summer months about my mosquito forecast and how I determine when activity is going to be Extreme, low or somewhere in between. There are a few factors that go into the making of the mosquito forecast. 

The main factor is the weather we are experiencing at the time. Weather is a major motivator for what mosquitoes do, and when. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded insects. This means that their body temperature is more or less the same as their environment, since they don't have the ability to regulate their internal temperatures. Considering how driven by temperature mosquitoes are, it's no wonder weather plays such a make-or-break role in mosquito activity.

Rainfall

Flooding rains create ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. More rain means more potential for puddles, and more potential for mosquito breeding. Significant rainfall will likely mean an outbreak in mosquito activity, especially if puddles have been left alone for baby mosquitoes to hatch in. Frequent rain can wash out the eggs that have been laid, but mosquitoes are smarter than we give them credit for. The clever ones will lay their eggs in places like tires. which collect water while providing a bit of insulation.Considering how common it is for mosquito populations to increase after a storm, it's important that water isn't left to stagnate. All a female mosquito needs is an inch of water to lay batches of 100 to 200 eggs. Once she has laid her eggs, they hatch into larvae within 24 to 48 hours. 

Hot Temperatures

It's well known that mosquitoes love warm climates. We have certainly had a very warm last couple of weeks. Mosquitoes are active once temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees, but activity tends to jump when it's 78 degrees and up. Different species are active at different times, but in general, most mosquitoes are extra active at dusk and dawn. Warm evening temperatures allow mosquitoes to thrive, since prolonged sun exposure can actually dehydrate them. Combine that with the fact that warmer temperatures make them hungrier for blood meals. It can get too hot and dry for mosquitoes. In some areas that are too hot, mosquitoes will be less active. 

The relief will eventually come.

Since mosquitoes are cold-blooded, they basically shut down when temperatures are less than 50 degrees. Although it might seem like they've all disappeared, they do have strategies to survive cold weather. Many mosquitoes go dormant in Winter and hibernate, finding holes to wait in for warmer weather.  Some female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water in the Fall, which lie dormant and eventually freeze. The frozen larvae keep until the weather warms up... at which point they hatch and wreak havoc all over again.

I take all of the above factors along with the forecasted wind potential. Mosquito's hate wind. They love calm days and when you get very hot dry calm days the activity goes through the roof. Now you know the factors I take into consideration when making my Mosquito Forecast. The good news is we are only about a month away form Mosquito activity dropping and becoming non-existent until next Spring.