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Check the mosquito forecast

The OFF! Mosquito Forecast  analyzes 15 billion weather data points to generate localized mosquito reports across Canada.

For example, in Toronto, the forecast predicts a “medium� forecast this week, while Hamilton, Ottawa and Windsor all have “high� mosquito forecasts.

Mosquitoes can go from egg to adult in as little as three days, Stuart said. A female mosquito will lay 100 to 250 eggs after each blood meal, and each one can have two to five blood meals over its lifetime.

When it comes to reducing your risk of mosquito exposure, Stuart recommends using DEET-based products like Off! Deep Woods insect repellent or a beta carotene-based repellent.

Unlike male mosquitoes, which do not bite, Stuart said female mosquitoes will target anyone outdoors.

Do mosquitoes prefer certain blood types?

While there’s no scientific evidence to suggest mosquitoes prefer hosts with a specific blood type, Stuart noted the insects will gravitate to anyone not using protective measures.

“Female mosquitoes are very smart,� said Stuart. “When they come to find a blood-feeding spot, the DEET will make them bounce off you. It repels them, but they will still bounce off you and find a spot that you didn’t spray properly.�

While mosquitoes can bite anyone, Stuart said, they can be attracted to sweat and pheromones.

“Let’s say you’re playing soccer for the past hour and you’re sweating heavily — she’ll like you better than the person who was sitting on the bench not doing anything,� said Stuart.

If mosquitoes like your perfume or cologne or you’re a heavy breather, you could also attract more of the bloodthirsty insects.

Types of mosquitoes in Ontario

While Canada has five genera of mosquitoes, Aedes vexans is the primary nuisance mosquito in Ontario, Stuart said.

“That’s the strong bite and the one you can feel. Their proboscis, or their nose, has very sharp teeth and that’s what you can feel when it bites you,� Stuart added.

Culex mosquitoes, which serve as vectors of diseases, do not have strong teeth, so you may not feel them when they bite, Stuart said.

“That’s the concern. Don’t assume if you’re not feeling any mosquitoes on you (that they’re not there),� said Stuart.

Those vector mosquitoes can transit diseases such as West Nile virus, so it’s important to practice personal protection measures.

In addition to West Nile virus, Stuart said, mosquitoes can transmit western equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis and malaria, although the latter isn’t possible in Ontario due to Canada’s colder climate.

Skeeter syndrome

Health experts at the Cleveland Clinic have also cautioned outdoor enthusiasts about skeeter syndrome, a condition spurred by an allergic reaction to the proteins in mosquito saliva.

“If a mosquito bites you and you then develop large areas of swelling eight to 10 hours later, you may have skeeter syndrome,� the .

While relatively rare, skeeter syndrome can affect anyone.

To treat skeeter syndrome, take an oral antihistamine, cover the bite with hydrocortisone cream or take over-the-counter pain relievers or fever reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain or fever.

How to keep mosquitoes at bay

In addition to using a repellent, Stuart recommends physical barriers like mosquito netting and high-powered fans to keep mosquitoes away from patio areas.

A high-powered fan on a deck or patio is effective, because mosquitoes can’t fly through wind speeds higher than 15 km/h.

Citronella candles offer some protection, but they won’t work if it’s windy, Stuart added.

While mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn, Stuart said they can also hide in shady spaces during the day and feed on vulnerable hosts when the time is right.