The Most Deadly Creature On Earth Is Now Active in Louisiana

Some say this deadly creature is just part of life in Louisiana. But this deadly pest is back with a vengeance this spring. With the rains we have had and the temperatures warming up, we can expect to see more of these critters sharing our space.

The deadliest creature on earth can be dangerous for your health and they can also disturb all of your outdoor activities. The season is in full swing and these bugs will be around for almost the remainder of 2024.

Louisiana is home to at least 64 species of mosquitos and they are now looking for food. You could be a good source for them. But they also look to other animals for a blood meal. This includes birds, humans, or other mammals.

When Is Mosquito Season?

The experts at Terminix say that depends on where you live and the climate. But here are the general rules about when you need to be concerned about mosquitos.

GULF COAST, FLORIDA AND HAWAII

Mosquito season: February - November

Not surprisingly, this region’s warm, humid and wet climate means a lengthy mosquito season. In addition to Florida and Hawaii, this region also includes Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST

Mosquito season: March – September

This region’s warm temperatures mean mosquito season gets off to an early start. For residents of southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, northern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and parts of coastal North Carolina, mosquito season lasts most of the year.

MID-ATLANTIC, MIDWEST AND WEST

Mosquito season: April – September

Comprising most of the United States, these regions typically experience milder (even cool or cold) temperatures, which may not be as conducive to mosquito activity. States in these areas include California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

NEW ENGLAND, NORTHERN MIDWEST AND PACFIC NORTHWEST

Mosquito season: May – September

The cooler temperatures in these regions mean they experience the shortest mosquito seasons in the country. These states include Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

According to the American Mosquito Control Association, West Virginia has the fewest number of mosquito species (26), while Texas has the most (85).

Mosquitoes kill an estimated 725,000 to 1 million people each year. That number far exceeds the second deadliest creature, humans, which kill more than 430,000 other humans each year.

Mosquitos carry lots of viruses including Zika, West Nile, and the Eastern Equine Encephalitis. There are no vaccines for these viruses.

Louisiana has the 7th highest rate of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease (NID) in the country, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) reminds you to take precautions against mosquito bites. During 2022, Louisiana had 47 cases of West Nile Virus.

Six people in Louisiana have died as a result of West Nile Virus in 2022.