A person has died from the mosquito-borne virus known as EEE in New York, the state’s first case since 2015 and the second death from the disease in the U.S. since late August. EEE, short for Eastern equine encephalitis, has been detected in six states this year, per data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other diseases spread locally by mosquitos in the U.S. that have made headlines this past spring and summer include West Nile virus and dengue fever. With these diseases circulating, many people are wondering when mosquitoes go away in the U.S.
While the U.S. has officially entered fall, it is still mosquito season. August and September are the peak months for mosquito-borne illnesses in the U.S. because the populations have had more time to grow and spread viruses than earlier in the season. Mosquitoes are not typically active when temperatures are under 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but they don’t die off at 50 degrees. Instead, they become dormant and wait for warmer temperatures. Warmer temperatures and longer warm seasons due to climate change may extend the length of time each year when mosquitoes are active.
The timing of when mosquitoes go away depends on where you live in the U.S. and how quickly it gets cold. Mosquitoes will be active mostly until the first frost, and in places like Florida where it may not see a frost, they are always active. Some species that pass the winter season as adults can also become active on warm winter days above 50 degrees. There are day-biting and dawn/dusk-biting mosquitoes, so they rest and “go away” at night. The timing of dusk and when it ends will depend on where you live and the time of year.
Health officials in New York, Massachusetts, and beyond have urged residents to take steps to prevent bug bites. These steps include wearing long, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors, minimizing time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours, wearing an EPA-registered insect repellent and clothing or gear treated with permethrin, using screens on windows and doors, and regularly emptying out water-holding containers. These preventive measures can help reduce the risk of mosquito bites and the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. As mosquito season continues, it is important for individuals to remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
