Near water you'll generally encounter more mosquitoes, and some water-associated species are aggressive, daytime biters. It's less that the water makes mosquitoes meaner and more that it produces more of them, including some of the more persistent biters.
The feeling that mosquitoes are "worse" or "more aggressive" near water is real, but the reason is a little different from what most people assume.
Mosquitoes need water to breed. So it's no wonder they tend to take off in environments like lakes, ponds, and wetlands. All produce immense mosquito populations, and massive populations guarantee increased bites. That said, it’s easy, when you’re covered in bites, to perceive all of this targeted aggression. But it’s really just a result of sheer numbers. When giant swarms surround you, the experience feels a lot like a relentless assault, despite each individual mosquito displaying standard feeding behavior.
That said, a lot of the mosquitoes that breed in and around water are floodwater mosquitoes. Certain woodland and wetland species are noticeably more aggressive than the ones who just come out to bite at dusk. Some can even bite you during the day, especially in shaded areas. These pushy, daytime biters tend to be close to the water.
Mosquitoes need to rest during the day. Hot, dry conditions are hard on them, so they retreat instead to humid, shaded places, often vegetation. There are plenty of humid, shaded places to rest near the shoreline. This is another reason why waterfront properties just seem to have it worse.
Still, there are things you can do. One is to reduce any sources of standing water you have on your property. This cuts down on breeding. If you have dense landscaping or vegetation, trim it back to allow airflow so mosquitoes have fewer humid, shaded spots to rest during the day.
If you're tired of getting swarmed the moment you step outside near the water, Mosquito Squad of West Michigan Lakeshore can help. Mosquito Squad applies a barrier on the resting zones, which can help you protect your yard with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
