Mosquito season begins; public health officials urge prevention
Mosquito season has arrived in New York, where an estimated 70 species of mosquitoes are present and state health agencies are advising residents to take steps to avoid bites and limit breeding habitat. Federal authorities classify mosquitoes as the world’s deadliest insects because they can transmit diseases including West Nile virus, Zika and dengue.
The state recorded 59 reported cases of West Nile virus in 2025, underscoring the continuing risk as warmer months expand mosquito activity. Health guidance emphasizes personal protection and property maintenance to reduce encounters with species that are capable of spreading infection.
Which mosquitoes pose the greatest threat?
Entomologists and public health experts identify three groups of concern in New York: Culex, Aedes and Anopheles. Each group has distinct habits that affect when and where people are most likely to be bitten and what diseases they can transmit.
- Culex: feeds at dusk, night and dawn; breeds in small pools of stagnant water; can transmit West Nile virus and dog heartworm.
- Aedes: active during the day; breeds in containers and flooded areas; can carry eastern equine encephalitis, Zika and dog heartworm.
- Anopheles: feeds at night and dawn; prefers fresh or brackish water for breeding; associated with malaria transmission and dog heartworm.
| Mosquito group | Feeding time | Notable diseases |
|---|---|---|
| Culex | Dusk, night, dawn | West Nile virus; heartworm (dogs) |
| Aedes | Daytime | Eastern equine encephalitis; Zika; heartworm (dogs) |
| Anopheles | Night, dawn | Malaria (historic risk); heartworm (dogs) |
How to lower your risk
The New York State Department of Health and federal guidance focus on two lines of defense: preventing bites and eliminating breeding sites. Practical steps include:
- Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks during periods of peak mosquito activity (sunrise, sunset and early evening).
- Applying EPA-registered insect repellent to exposed skin.
- Covering strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
- Ensuring window and door screens are intact to keep mosquitoes out of living spaces.
- Removing standing water where mosquitoes can reproduce — even small containers, plant saucers and blocked gutters.
Public health officials advise pet owners to discuss heartworm prevention with veterinarians, since several mosquito species can transmit the parasite to dogs.
The seasonal return of mosquitoes is a predictable part of summer, but the persistence of diseases such as West Nile virus means individual and community actions matter. Reducing standing water, maintaining screens and using repellents lower the chance of infection and help limit local transmission.
State and federal agencies continue surveillance during the summer months and update guidance as needed; residents should monitor local public health advisories for information specific to their county.
