Many homeowners think mosquitoes are attracted to light, but they’re actually drawn to you. Things like your breath, body heat and scent are what attract them, so that’s where you should focus your prevention efforts.
It’s a common assumption that mosquitoes are drawn to light, but is it actually true?
To find out, we spoke with Alan Brown, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services. No, mosquitoes aren’t attracted to light. Light may have a small effect on these pests, but factors like carbon dioxide, body heat and your scent are what really draw mosquitoes in.
Since mosquitoes are attracted to people, and people are often around lights, it’s easy to see why we tend to blame light for mosquito activity. Here’s a closer look at mosquito behavior.
Why People Think Mosquitoes Are Attracted to Light
Many homeowners assume that mosquitoes are attracted to light, but that isn’t actually the case. The truth is, it comes down to a few coincidences.
Why Mosquitoes May Appear Near Lights
It’s pretty common to see insects like moths swarming around lights.
As Brown explains,
“Homeowners see moths, beetles and other insects flying around their porch lights and generally assume that all insects are attracted to light. Mosquitoes typically exhibit something called negative phototaxis, meaning they generally avoid light.”
Mosquitoes are going to hang around your porch whether the lights are on or not. You might spot them mixed in with the other insects that swarm around your lights, but that doesn’t mean the light is what attracted them.
Why Mosquitoes Seem More Active at Night
There are many species of mosquitoes that are common throughout Texas, with some being more active during the day and some at night. Some species are highly active at dusk because the cooler temperatures provide an ideal environment for them to thrive.
You’re also more likely to have outdoor lights on at dusk, which coincides with peak mosquito activity.
What Actually Attracts Mosquitoes
Light doesn’t play a major role in how many mosquitoes will show up in your yard. However, certain factors do directly contribute to the mosquito population on your property.
Brown identifies the key factors:
“Body heat, carbon dioxide from respiration and odors (sweat, smelly feet). It has also been suggested that Type O blood is more attractive to mosquitoes.”
Some examples include:
- Carbon dioxide (your breath)
- Body heat
- Body odor and skin bacteria
- Dark clothing
- Standing water
Instead of turning off lights, focus on these areas to help keep mosquitoes under control.
Carbon Dioxide (Your Breath)
Mosquitoes can detect the carbon dioxide you exhale. This helps them detect humans and animals from over 100 feet away.
Body Heat
Mosquitoes are also attracted to body heat, which means that some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Weight, hormonal changes and metabolism can affect body heat. This can make some people more attractive to mosquitoes. This also applies to animals; mosquitoes bite dogs and other pets too.
Body Odor and Skin Bacteria
Body odor is caused by a variety of factors, including lactic acid produced during physical activity, sweat compounds and the bacteria on your skin. The microbiome of different skin bacteria can vary from person to person, which can influence how strongly mosquitoes are attracted to their odor.
Dark Clothing
Mosquitoes can see infrared light, which is given off by warm objects. Dark clothing absorbs more heat, which in turn makes it appear very bright in the infrared spectrum and have a sharp contrast at dusk. Mosquitoes tend to target dark clothing, so it’s better to wear lighter colors when outdoors.
Standing Water
One of the biggest factors attracting mosquitoes to your yard is standing water, since they need it to breed. That means even small pools of water around your yard can lead to an annoying mosquito population. Bird baths, kiddie pools, potted plants and even puddles are all potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Are Certain Types of Light More Attractive to Mosquitoes?
Your home may have a wide range of outdoor lighting, like LED or traditional. There are also some bulbs marketed to deter insects. In general, the specific type of light doesn’t have a major impact on mosquito levels.
Incandescent Versus LED Versus UV Lights
Many flying insects are more attracted to artificial lights. Bug zappers use UV lights to deal with insects, but mosquitoes don’t respond to them as much as moths and beetles.
Brown explains,
“There is some evidence that ultraviolet light can be attractive to some mosquitoes depending on sex, species and time of day. This is why insect light traps are not a good form of mosquito control.”
Warm LED lights can help reduce overall insect activity compared to cool lights, but the effect on mosquitoes is minimal.
Do Yellow Bug Lights Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Yellow bug lights can be helpful for keeping some insects away. However, they don’t have much of an impact on mosquitoes. They will still be able to find you from your breath, body heat and odor.
Why You See Mosquitoes Around Porch Lights in Texas
When you’re sitting on your porch in the evening, and mosquitoes start showing up, it can seem like they’re attracted to the light. However, other factors play a much larger role. Warm, humid evenings often lead to higher mosquito activity. This is even more common in denser areas.
Plants and landscaping near your doors can also be a problem, since they provide shade and can collect standing water. Irrigation systems in your yard can also provide optimal mosquito breeding grounds.
It’s common to have dense vegetation anywhere near outdoor lighting, like porches, patios or other spaces. While that vegetation may make for a more pleasant outdoor living space, it can also create a great home for mosquitoes.
How to Reduce Mosquito Activity Around Your Home
Are you struggling with mosquitoes in your yard? Here are some simple steps you can take:
- Eliminate breeding sites
- Adjust outdoor lighting
- Landscaping adjustments
- Professional mosquito control
These steps can be highly effective at preventing mosquitoes from taking control of your yard.
Step 1: Eliminate Breeding Sites
The first thing to do to address mosquitoes is to remove their breeding sites. Make sure to dump standing water weekly, and keep your gutters clear. Empty out any bird baths, planters or tarps after rain. Take preventive steps to stop mosquitoes from breeding in water features.
Step 2: Adjust Outdoor Lighting
Switching to warmer LEDs can reduce overall insect activity. Motion sensors can help you avoid leaving lights on accidentally. Relocating lights away from doors can also be beneficial.
Step 3: Landscaping Adjustments
Brown explains why landscaping matters:
“Mosquitoes like to hide in dark, humid areas during the day. Dense vegetation, like tall grass, shrubbery, ground cover and decking, provide great hiding places for mosquitoes. Increasing air flow in these areas will make your yard less hospitable to mosquitoes. You may also want to consider permanent changes to your landscape (removing shrubs, ground cover, etc.)”
With that in mind, regularly trim dense shrubs to deprive mosquitoes of preferred living environments. Make sure that airflow can pass through your yard to evaporate water. Limit moisture retention by choosing the right soil or mulch for gardens and other features.
Step 4: Professional Mosquito Control
Eventually, you may need professional treatment to treat mosquitoes. Instead of trying DIY solutions like eucalyptus to repel mosquitoes, you can get more reliable results with professional barrier treatments.
Targeting mosquitoes at every stage of their life delivers a more consistent impact. Seasonal maintenance is also a good way to stay on top of mosquito populations.
Are Mosquitoes Worse in Texas?
Mosquitoes can be a big nuisance for many Texas homeowners. It can feel like mosquitoes thrive here more than in other states. There’s some truth to that, since our warm weather can lead to a longer mosquito season than in states with colder climates.
A variety of mosquito species are active in Texas. Some common examples include:
- Yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti)
- Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)
- Southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus)
Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying; they can also spread disease. The Texas Department of State Health Services advises that chikungunya and dengue can be carried by mosquitoes in Texas, in addition to West Nile, Zika and other viruses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Mosquitoes Prefer Light or Dark?
Does Turning Off Lights Reduce Mosquitoes?
Are Mosquitoes Attracted to LED Lights?
Why Are Mosquitoes Worse at Dusk?
When to Contact a Mosquito Control Professional
While a little prevention can go a long way to help reduce mosquitoes around your home, there comes a point when it’s time to reach out to pest control professionals. If your property has persistent mosquito activity, professional treatment can help get the situation under control.
Daytime mosquitoes are another common reason why people get mosquito treatment, as they can be a serious annoyance. If you’ve already removed all standing water from your property but the problem remains, you may need professional help to identify underlying causes and apply effective solutions.
Focus Your Mosquito Prevention on the Right Factors
Removing lights on your property isn’t going to keep mosquitoes away. Instead, focus on efforts like making your home less appealing to mosquitoes and professional treatment.
ABC Home & Commercial Services provides a range of targeted treatments designed to help keep mosquitoes away so that you can enjoy your yard all year long. If you’re dealing with persistent mosquitoes, it’s time to reach out to a pest control professional.
