Mosquitoes function best at 80 degrees F, become lethargic at 60 degrees F, and cannot function below 50 degrees F.
◾️ What temperature kills mosquitoes? Many mosquitoes will die off when the thermostat drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, other types of mosquitoes will only go dormant or reduce their activity come colder weather.
Cold, dry air is a distinct turn-off for mosquitoes who prefer warm, damp conditions. Great news! An AC unit circulates the air around the room which achieves two important things: Firstly, the moving air inhibits the ability of flying insects to fly in a straight line and hit their target.
Well, they do prefer it to cold, dry weather. But the holy grail for mosquitoes is a combination of warm and wet. But when the weather gets above 80 and into the 90s, then mosquitoes will become less active and seek shelter in the shade.
Kill mosquitoes inside your home
Use an indoor insect fogger or indoor insect spray to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest. These products work immediately, and may need to be reapplied.
Mosquito nets can be hung above a bed or crib to protect against mosquito bites. Adults and children should sleep under a mosquito net if air conditioned and screened rooms are not available. When using a mosquito net: Tuck the net under the mattress to keep the mosquitoes out.
Maintain fly screens on windows, doors, vents and chimneys. Use insect surface sprays both inside and outside the house to kill mosquitoes. Use an effective mosquito repellent, containing either picaridin or diethyltoulamide (DEET) on all exposed skin. Remove stagnant water around the house so mosquitoes cannot breed.
Mosquitoes are attracted to black, as well as dark and bright colors. Since black is the darkest “color,” this shade will attract flying insects. However, other dark and bright tones will also attract mosquitoes. Q: Why are mosquitoes attracted to dark and bright clothes?
During the day, most mosquitoes seek shade in densely wooded areas that tend to hold in more moisture. Often the mosquitoes who feed at night will rest during the day.
Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. They also hate smells such as smoke, for further insight, see our exploration on, does smoke keep mosquitoes away?
Ceiling fans help keep mosquitoes away from hotel patios and outdoor cafes. In large, open areas, resist the temptation to plant tall windbreaks: Allow the air to circulate freely, bringing cooling breezes and helping keep mosquito populations at bay.
But it got to the point when the plate became so hot, most mosquitoes began to avoid it." The upper limit? Approximately 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), close to the maximum temperature of birds--which are one of the hottest food sources for mosquitoes--and a few degrees warmer than the human body.
Though they prefer direct access to blood, mosquitoes can bite through clothes if the fabric is thin and tight fitting. The pests' needle-like mouthparts pierce delicate cotton t-shirts with ease.
As discussed earlier, mosquitoes require a temperature between 50 to 80-degree Fahrenheit to survive. That's why they come out in the summer season from March to early November.
Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass (or lemon grass) is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellants. In fact, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden recommends lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Fragrances, such as perfume, cologne, and scented lotions are a known attractant of mosquitoes. Floral scents are the biggest attraction for mosquitoes. It turns out those lady mosquitoes love a flowery fragrance. So when you're addressing the issue of body odor, be sure to avoid washing with fragranced body wash.
To reduce the possibility of a mosquito biting you, you could consider wearing white, green or blue. Lighter colors are less interesting to mosquitos than darker shades like navy and black, red or orange. However, clothing color alone is unlikely to keep mosquitos away for good.
Secondly, lighter colors are not as attractive to mosquitoes, who prefer brightly colored, dark blue or black clothing. White and khaki will work best for not only avoiding flying biters, but also for keeping you cool and stylish.
They also found that mosquitos ignored green, purple, blue and white. When a researcher inserted their hand into the chamber wearing a green glove, mosquitos ignored it, even when it was sprayed with CO2. Unfortunately, avoiding mosquitoes isn't as easy as choosing the right color of clothes.
Mosquitoes are attracted to still and stagnant water. There's a high chance of mosquito activity if your property is near standing water with a constant water source. Mosquitoes could easily enter your home and lay their eggs; female mosquitoes will lay eggs in water for survival.
Lemongrass, citronella (not citronella candles), and catnip can act as natural mosquito repellents. Essential oils, like lemon eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil, can also have positive effects on mosquito prevention.
The first method is what Lifehacker calls the “flashlight hunting method”. Grab a torch and turn off all of the lights in your room except for one small light source, like your phone or a small lamp. Eventually, the mosquito will make its way to the light, hopefully landing on the wall or surface near it.