Mosquitoes are very annoying creatures. The mere sound of their buzz can be unpleasant, and anyone who has tried to kill a mosquito knows how invincible they seem. So, you might also wonder, how high can mosquitos fly?
Most mosquito species fly below 25 feet, but some can fly much higher. Factors such as the breeding ground, high winds, hitch-riding, and weather can determine how high you’ll find mosquitoes flying. Mosquitoes fly an average of 1.5 mph, and most don’t go beyond 300 feet from their breeding zones.
However, mosquitoes carry and spread diseases such as Zika, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, etc. So, it’s important to deal with them on time. Here, we discuss how high mosquitoes can fly and other things to know about this insect.
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Can Mosquitoes Fly Very High?
If you’re trying to escape the nuisance of mosquitoes, you might consider living in a story building. But before you decide, you should know that mosquitoes can fly very high. They come in various species, and their species determine their flight. Generally, the ones that bite human beings fly below 25 feet. This is understandable given that the humans they’re biting are closer to the ground too.
This has led to the wrong perception that mosquitos can’t fly above 25 feet. In reality, they can reach much higher. It all depends on their breeding ground. For example, mosquitoes breeding on the top floor of a 25 story building will still be able to fly much higher from that height. Thus, there’s no specific limit on how high they can fly.
You can find mosquitoes anywhere from inside mines a thousand feet below ground to more than 8000 feet high in the Himalayas. Several factors such as wind and other carriers could also propel mosquitoes to heights that they might seem unable or impossible to reach normally.
Mosquitoes can also hitch a ride. This means they will perch on human property or shipments during transportation. That way, they don’t even have to fly and can move from one location to another.
Can Mosquitoes Cover Long Distances?
Most species of mosquitoes don’t fly too far away from their breeding ground. Once they’ve found a breeding zone, they usually stick around, flying only a few hundred feet within the zone. As long as all they need to survive is around, they can fly and multiply within that area. This is the category that species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti fall into
But mosquitoes also have very adventurous species that can fly miles away from their breeding zone. The most adventurous is saltmarsh mosquitoes. They can go as far as 40 miles from their breeding ground. They can cover this distance by riding high winds.
How Fast Are Mosquitoes?
If you’ve tried to kill a mosquito, you’ll admit it could be quite difficult. They seem pretty fast. In reality, they’re only able to fly at an average of 1.5 mph, which isn’t so fast. But it’s fast enough for them to escape human hands trying to swat them to death.
Where Do Mosquitoes Thrive?
Weather plays a major role in mosquitoes’ growth. High humidity areas are generally the most favorable for mosquitoes, which is why they thrive the most. They also prefer moderate weather. So, they don’t thrive in areas with extreme cold. This is why the two poles are the only areas where there are no mosquitoes at all. Other extremely cold countries also have little to no population of mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes will most likely bite when the weather is sunny and warm. They’re cold-blooded insects, so they prefer a humid and warm environment. However, cold weather doesn’t necessarily kill them. But if the temperature should drop to around 60 degrees or lower, they’ll become lethargic. Anything below 50 degrees and mosquitoes will not be able to function.
But their eggs can still survive winter, which means they’re back in the spring, hatching and causing a disturbance.
Although mosquitoes prefer warm weather, the weather can get too warm sometimes. Generally, the ideal temperature for them is in the 70s. Once the temperature reaches the 80s, mosquitoes become sluggish, seeking shade. However, mosquitoes are also potent in terms of infections in hot temperatures. The diseases they carry are more active, and you’re at higher risk of infection on those days. Since mosquitoes will be less active in very hot weather, if there’s cool weather immediately after the hot period, expect a higher population.
How to Handle Mosquito Problems?
If you’re asking questions about mosquitoes, it’s most likely because you want to get rid of these insects. Here are ways to do that indoors and outdoors.
Dealing with Mosquitoes Indoors
Mosquitoes are more common outdoors than indoors. But they can be a bigger nuisance if they access the house indoors. This is why you have to prevent such from happening and get rid of any that gets indoors. You can do that by:
- Fixing all damaged screens that mosquitoes can use to enter the house
- Always closing your doors
- Using an electric or manual fly swatter or mosquito zapper
- Using an indoor fogger to clear kill all the mosquitoes within the house
- Switching on the fan which disorients them
Dealing with Mosquitoes Outdoors
Mosquitoes thrive more outdoors and can be more challenging. But you don’t want them to stop you from enjoying a good time in your yard or garden. Dealing with them outdoors also ensures they never get inside. Deal with mosquitoes outdoor by:
- Removing all stagnant water sources where they can breed
- Trimming your lawn and yard
- Add mosquito dunk, which contains BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis serotype israelensis), to stagnant water sources that you can’t remove.
- Clear debris in drainage and gutters
- Spraying soapy or oily water on greenery to kill the larva.
- Plant mosquito repelling plants such as lavender, basil, lemongrass, rosemary, etc.
- Attracts other predator insects such as dragonflies
In Conclusion
Mosquitoes are literal highflyers. The common species that bite humans fly lower than 25 feet. But several others can go higher. Dealing with them can be tricky, but it’s necessary given the dangers they generally pose. Fortunately, they’re one of the easiest pests to get rid of.
