Mosquitoes, more often than not, are associated with summer heat and humidity. They thrive in the heat and humidity of summer because this is the perfect environment for their eggs to hatch, grow, and continue their cycle.
But do mosquitoes come out in the rain? The common myth about mosquitoes is that they won’t be able to bite you if it’s raining or if there’s a lot of moisture in the air. However, that’s not exactly true. While some species of mosquitoes will avoid biting if it’s raining outside, others are unperturbed by drizzle or rain and will happily buzz around you in search of your blood.
We understand why you may think that rain would put a stop to mosquito bites — after all, wouldn’t they get wet? But the truth is that mosquitoes have developed over time to resist natural elements such as rain. Here we debunk this myth and explain why mosquitoes still bite even when it rains. Read on to learn more!
What is the difference between mosquitoes, flies, and moths?
The difference between flies, mosquitoes, and moths is that mosquitoes belong to the family of flies and moths, whereas flies are completely different animals. People often confuse flies with moths because they’re both insects, but moths are a different family of insects.
Moths are nocturnal creatures that you’ll commonly find in the dark of night, whereas flies can be seen during both the day and night. The only thing that flies, moths, and mosquitoes have in common is that they’re all insects.
Flies feed on all sorts of things, including decaying matter, food, and excrement. Moths are similar to flies, although they are attracted to things like light bulbs and candles, or sugary substances such as fruit and nectar. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, prefer feeding on the blood of mammals — including humans.
Why don’t mosquitoes stop biting when it rains?
Mosquitoes are unafraid of rain for a few reasons. Firstly, mosquitoes are small insects that can easily evade heavy raindrops by flying upwards and hovering above them. Mosquitoes are also equipped with special features that allow them to resist water, including a wax-like substance on their wings that repels water.
Additionally, mosquitoes have evolved to breed in water-rich environments, making it easy for them to breed in puddles, ponds, and other water sources. Mosquitoes have also developed a resistance to being killed by natural elements, such as salt or iron, which is why they can survive the rain.
To better understand why mosquitoes don’t avoid biting when it rains, let’s look at the lifecycle of a mosquito. When mosquitoes are in their larval stage, they live in water, which is why they’re able to breed even when it rains.
When they transform into their pupal form, mosquitoes move to the surface of the water to create a protective cocoon. Once they’ve created this cocoon, mosquitoes can fly away to find new breeding grounds.
4 Things That Make Mosquitoes Unafraid of Rain
- They have an adaptable life cycle: As we’ve mentioned, mosquitoes live in water, which means that they can continue their life cycle even when it rains.
- They have immunity to water: As we’ve also mentioned, mosquitoes have evolved to repel water, making it easy for them to survive in rainy conditions.
- They have a heightened sense of smell: When it rains, the air becomes humid, making it harder for humans to smell. Since mosquitoes rely on scent to find hosts, however, this change in humidity has no effect on their smelling abilities.
- They’re unperturbed by loud noises: Rain makes a lot of noise, but mosquitoes are able to drown out the sound, making them unperturbed by the rain.
3 Types of Mosquitoes that Don’t Care if it Rains
- Asian Tiger Mosquito: Asian tiger mosquitoes emerge in spring and summer, which means they’re active during both the day and night. They breed in standing water and can also breed indoors, making them a significant public health threat. Asian tiger mosquitoes are unafraid of rain.
- Southern House Mosquito: This mosquito usually bites during the day, but can bite at night, too. It prefers breeding in freshwater sources, such as ponds and lakes. Southern house mosquitoes are also unafraid of rain.
- Snowshoe Hare Mosquito: This species of mosquito is native to Canada and the northern United States. It’s also active during both the day and night. Snowshoe hare mosquitoes are able to breed in both fresh and saltwater, making them significant public health threats.
Conclusion
Mosquitoes are unafraid of rain, so don’t let this rain stop you from enjoying your time outside. Mosquito repellent, long-sleeved clothing, and hats are a few ways you can protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Furthermore, you can take steps to prevent mosquitoes from breeding around you, such as removing standing water from your property, cleaning gutters, and wearing mosquito-repelling footwear. If you have any questions about mosquitoes, don’t hesitate to ask us!
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