Even as summer waves goodbye, that doesn’t mean the pests leave us alone. Case in point, mosquitoes are still a major nuisance in the fall. Mosquitoes are resilient and can thrive in cooler temperatures better than we think. While they do their best biting work during the summer, especially at night, when it comes to autumn, mosquitoes prefer the warmest part of the daylight hours.

Did you know that mosquitoes and bears have something in common in colder states? Hibernation, as they prep for the upcoming winter months. The process is called diapause. During this dormancy period, mosquitoes stop all development, but they will be ready to get back to sucking our blood come springtime.

Eliminate Standing Water – You should regularly empty and wipe out all containers that collect water around your home. The most common spots mosquitos like to buzz around are clogged gutters, flowerpots and bird baths. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water because it makes breeding easier for them. They lay their eggs in standing water and will continue to do so through the cooler fall months.

Clothing/Covering – While it is much tougher to wear long sleeves during the summer to avoid mosquito bites, at least in the fall we can wear long sleeves for two purposes: 1) staying warm 2) avoiding mosquito bites! It might also be time to switch from shorts to jeans, for the same reasons. If for some reason you aren’t covering up your arms and legs during autumn, please remember to apply EPA-registered mosquito repellent.

Netting/Screens – If you have any type of outdoor seating area at your home, you might consider using mosquito netting or screens. Even during the fall months, it is important to create a barrier between you and these pests. With screens specifically, make sure the holes are very small. Keeping mosquitoes out with nets and screens can help you avoid their itchy bites.