Quick facts
- Size
- About 1/8 to 1/4 inch
- Looks like
- Slender, long legs, narrow wings, piercing mouthparts
- Peak season
- June through August
- Where in Michigan
- Statewide, worst near wetlands, lakes and woods
- Main risk
- West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis
- Risk level
- High
Signs you have mosquitoes
- Swarms at dusk and dawn in shady parts of the yard
- Bites while gardening near shrubs or woods
- Larvae (wigglers) in birdbaths, buckets or clogged gutters
- Mosquitoes indoors near open windows or torn screens
- More bites a week or two after heavy rain or flooding
Why Michigan has so many mosquitoes
Michigan has thousands of inland lakes plus wetlands, rivers, bogs and roadside ditches, which give mosquitoes plenty of breeding sites. A snowy winter followed by a rainy spring often leads to big early summer populations. Floodwater species lay eggs in low ground that can sit dry for a long time, then hatch in huge numbers after heavy rain.
Around homes, mosquitoes breed in any standing water that lasts more than about a week: clogged gutters, flower pot saucers, kids' toys, old tires, boat covers, tarps and birdbaths. Some species bite mainly at dusk and dawn, while others bite during the day in shady, wooded yards. A small amount of water in the right spot can produce a lot of them.
Up north, black flies and deer flies add to the misery in late spring and early summer, especially in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula. They are not mosquitoes, breed in different places such as running streams, and are not controlled the same way. Long sleeves and head nets help most.
West Nile virus and EEE in Michigan
West Nile virus is found in Michigan birds and mosquitoes in most summers, and human cases are reported most years. Most infected people have no symptoms or a mild illness, but some develop serious neurological illness, especially adults over 60 and people with weakened immune systems. Risk is usually highest from late July into September.
Eastern equine encephalitis is rare but very serious. Michigan has had outbreaks affecting people and horses, mainly in southwest Michigan, and in some years the state has taken extra mosquito control steps in affected counties. Watch for MDHHS and local health department alerts in late summer, and take precautions seriously when they are issued.
Mosquito control that works
Start with water. Walk your yard weekly from May through September and dump anything holding water. Clean gutters, change birdbath water twice a week, flip kayaks and wheelbarrows, and drill drain holes in tire swings and recycling bins. Use mosquito dunks containing Bti in ponds, rain barrels or low spots that cannot be drained.
Barrier sprays applied by a licensed applicator to shrubs, decks and shady resting areas can reduce adult mosquitoes for a few weeks per treatment, so plans usually repeat through the summer. Bug zappers kill lots of other insects but few mosquitoes. Fans on a deck help more than most gadgets, since mosquitoes are weak fliers.
Protect yourself with EPA-registered repellent and long sleeves at dusk and dawn, especially during health alerts. Make sure window and door screens are in good shape. The same repellents also work against ticks, which share many of the same shady, brushy yards. Rain barrels should have tight lids or fine screen over every opening.
What you can do yourself
- 1Empty standing water weekly, including saucers, toys and tarps.
- 2Clean gutters so they drain completely.
- 3Use Bti mosquito dunks in water you cannot drain, following the label.
- 4Change birdbath water every few days.
- 5Repair window and door screens.
- 6Use EPA-registered repellent, especially at dusk and dawn.
When to call a licensed pro
- Your yard borders wetlands or woods and bites are constant.
- You are planning a graduation party, wedding or other outdoor event.
- There are local West Nile or EEE warnings and you spend a lot of time outdoors.
What mosquitoes treatment costs in Michigan
$60 to $120per treatment
Typical Michigan ranges, not quotes. Price depends on yard size and how dense the vegetation is. Seasonal plans usually include a treatment every few weeks from late spring through summer.
Typical ranges, not quotes. See the full Michigan pest control cost guide.
Mosquitoes: common questions
When is mosquito season in Michigan?
Usually May through September, peaking June through August. A wet spring brings an early surge, and a warm fall can stretch the season into October in southern Michigan. See the pest calendar for what else is active.
Do citronella candles work?
They give limited protection in a small area right around the candle, and wind cancels most of it. EPA-registered repellents on skin work much better, and a simple fan on the deck helps keep mosquitoes off you.
How long does a mosquito spray last?
Most barrier treatments are expected to work for a few weeks. Heavy rain, new plant growth and nearby wetlands can shorten that, which is why most companies schedule repeat treatments through the summer.
Can mosquitoes spread disease in Michigan?
Yes. West Nile virus is found in Michigan most summers, and Eastern equine encephalitis has caused outbreaks, mainly in southwest Michigan. Use repellent and follow local health department alerts in late summer.