Mosquitoes seem to be only incredibly annoying insects. Their constant whining at night makes you feel like offering yourself up as a blood sacrifice just so the noise will stop. Or you could be sitting outdoors enjoying a cocktail in the breeze at dusk, winding down after a tough day at work. Then, you start noticing these pesky insects hovering, calculating the softest juiciest landing spot – on you!
But mosquitoes in Massachusetts are every bit as annoying elsewhere. They deprive you of sleep, irritate you when trying to relax, and their bites are incredibly itchy. Beyond these frustrations, they carry diseases. And it’s this last point that makes them dangerous. So let’s take a closer look at what you’re dealing with.
Types of Mosquitoes in Massachusetts
There are 52 types of mosquitoes in Massachusetts. Some of these are dangerous, disease-carrying insects. Others are relatively harmless. All of them are active during the spring, summer, and fall at different times of the day. Mostly, these mosquito species are active at dusk and dawn. However, many species buzz around at night and in the early morning hours.
Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are at the top of the list of the deadliest creatures on earth. They kill more people than any other creature, despite their size. In fact, experts claim that mosquitoes have killed more people than all the wars in the world combined. Moreover, these lethal insects continue to claim the lives of about half a million people yearly.
Malaria from mosquitoes is responsible for most human deaths every year. But the humble mosquito carries many other diseases that are not prevalent in Massachusetts. The citizens of this state can count themselves lucky that the Zika virus, Dengue, Yellow Fever, and many others have not been introduced into the region.
In any event, the ones experts have recorded in Massachusetts are more than enough to deal with. You can learn about the various mosquito diseases and symptoms that present a frequent pest control challenge in Massachusetts.
Until then, you can see what mosquito species carry the specific diseases that plague the residents of Massachusetts in the table below. The most dangerous are the mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus and EEE.
| Mosquito Diseases in Massachusetts | Mosquito Species |
| EEE from birds to humans | Aedes vexans Coquillettidia perturbans Culiseta melanura Ochlerotatus canadensis Culex erraticus Ochlerotatus sticticus Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus Psorophora ferox |
| West Nile Virus | Culex erraticus Culex pipiens Culex salinarius Ochlerotatus japonicus japonicus Ochlerotatus sticticus Ochlerotatus triseriatus Psorophora ferox |
| Cache Valley | Ochlerotatus sticticus Psorophora ferox |
| Highlands J | Psorophora ferox |
| Jamestown Canyon | Ochlerotatus provocans Ochlerotatus sticticus Psorophora ferox |
| St. Louis Encephalitis | Culex erraticus |
| Trivittatus | Ochlerotatus sticticus Psorophora ferox |
| Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis | Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus |
| Heartworm To Dogs | Ochlerotatus canadensis Ochlerotatus excrucians Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus |
Vicious Mosquito Biters
Not all mosquitoes carry viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Despite their non-threatening characteristics in terms of disease, many mosquito species are vicious, aggressive biters of people and animals.
| Mosquito Species | Active Periods | Carry Disease |
| Anopheles earlei | Dusk- and early-evening | No |
| Ochlerotatus intrudens | Day and night | No |
| Ochlerotatus punctor | Dawn, dusk, early evening, and after dark. They also bite during the day in dense brush areas. | No |
| Ochlerotatus sticticus | Daylight | Yes |
| Psorophora ciliata | Anytime | No |
| Psorophora columbiae | Day or night | No |
| Psorophora ferox | Anytime | Yes |
FAQs About How You Can Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes
There are several opportunities and activities that you can use to protect yourself from mosquitoes – indoors and outdoors.
- Eliminate standing water
- Trim your landscaping
- Use mosquito repellent
- Wear protective clothing
- Use organic pest control services
Beyond these basics, people ask many questions about mosquitoes. Here are some FAQs and answers that will help protect you from mosquitoes and their diseases.
What are mosquitoes attracted to?
They love dark colors, so you should wear light clothing colors in the summer and spring. Mosquitoes are also attracted to human and animal carbon dioxide. Other appeals include human sweat and odor and body heat. Using mosquito repellants helps disguise these odors and deters mosquitoes.
What do mosquitoes hate?
Mosquitoes tend to avoid pungent odors like those in plants and essential oils. These scents include rosemary, peppermint, cedarwood, lavender, lemongrass, citronella, basil, cloves, sage, and eucalyptus.
What are the other types of plants that deter mosquitoes?
The plants that deter mosquitoes are the same ones that they hate. You can see a list of some of these plants above. Other plants that help keep mosquitoes away include garlic, lemon thyme, lemon balm floss flower, citronella geranium, mint, citrosum, marigolds, oregano, parsley or thyme, nasturtiums, petunias, tansy, wormwood, and catnip. Certain types of mosquitoes also only feed on vegetation like pitcher plants and are known as pitcher mosquitoes.
Does lavender repel mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes hate the scent of lavender, so crush some leaves and flowers and place them in a bowl indoors and outdoors to repel them.
How to get rid of mosquitoes in the house
You can use any of the natural plants and oils above to help eliminate mosquitoes in the house. A better plan is to use organic pest control services from Safer Nature. Because of the diseases mosquitoes carry and the risks involved, traditional pest control applications are also ideal for getting rid of mosquitoes.
Do male mosquitoes bite?
No – only the female mosquitoes bite because they need a blood meal to produce eggs. However, not all mosquito species feed on blood. Some live on plant nectar.
When do mosquitoes come out?
Different types of mosquitoes are active at various times of the day. The table above shows when the most aggressive biters in Massachusetts are active.
Do mosquitoes bite dogs?
Some species do bite dogs. A few examples of these mosquito types are listed in the table above.
These species are known to attack people and animals aggressively.
How To Kill Mosquitoes Quickly!
One call to Safer Nature is the quickest way to get rid of mosquitoes and return your home and garden to a place of tranquility. Our number is (978) 325-1325. If emailing us is easier, complete our online form for a prompt callback.
We provide organic and traditional pest control services for mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests. We also offer combo mosquito and tick pest control services for your convenience. Get in touch today to enjoy your spring and summer in peace.
