Yes, there are mosquitoes in all of the islands under Hawaii, mainly abetted by the warm climate in the region.
If you want to experience breathtakingly beautiful beaches, nature reserves, rich culture, and diverse wildlife, Hawaii is where you are heading! But unfortunately, the package also comes with some of the most annoying blood-sucking flying insects known to mankind. Mosquitos!
How bad is it? How do we enjoy our island holiday in Hawaii despite their annoying presence? We have the answers.
Related: Types of Animals found in Hawaii
What Kind Of Mosquitos Can You Expect In Hawaii?
You don’t necessarily want to be accompanied by mosquitos on any kind of holiday trip. But that’s now how the world works (hard facts). But it’s always better to be more aware and take the necessary steps to make it less of a problem.
Let’s start by learning about what you can actually expect. Mosquitos in Hawaii one-oh-one!
Hawaii is now home to over eight types of mosquitos. Six out of eight will actively come for your blood, and four out of them will come for you during the daytime. But what are the deadly ones you need to look out for? What is the most commonly encountered mosquito?
Records show that till recent, the Aedes aegypti mosquito was only found in some parts of Big Island and Molokai – it’s identifiable by its black body and white dots on the outer frame. These little menacing insects are unfortunately responsible for carrying Dengue, Zika virus, Chikungunya, and Yellow fever.
Apart from that – the House Mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) is found on almost all the major Hawaiian Islands. They mostly attack at night. Unfortunately, these mosquitos have also been responsible for the rapid decline of the Hawaiian Honeycreepers – particularly in Hawaii Island, Kauai and Maui – Honeycreepers are endemic to Hawaii. This mosquito is also responsible for carrying diseases like Encephalitis (St. Louis and Western equine) and West Nile Fever.
The Floodwater mosquito (Aedes Vexan), is greatly responsible for carrying the West Nile Virus (it is also a root trigger for Rift Valley Fever) reports indicate that they are mostly detected in Oahu and Kauai.
The Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a day-biting mosquito that is more commonly found in the lowlands of Hawaii – its bright patterns of black and white give its identity away. This is also a dangerous little fellow as it carries Encephalitis diseases, Yellow fever and Dengue.
The Bromeliad Mosquito (Wyeomyia mitchellii) is generally found in Kauai. They have the ability to spread diseases like Dengue, Yellow fever, Chikungunya and Zika as well.
Easy Prevention Tips And Treatments For Mosquito Bites
Mosquitos can be deadly disease-carrying flying insects. At the very least, they can be insanely annoying, especially when you have to itch away the bite spots for a good while. But that doesn’t mean there’s no way to make your trip to Hawaii mosquito free and safe!
It’s hard to avoid them, especially if you are going on a nature hike. So, what are your options for tackling this insect problem?
- Use a Deet Spray – use it on your skin and even spray it over your clothes, it helps cover the emission of CO2 – which attracts mosquitos.
- If you are allergic to DEET you can always use other types of repellents (that are less harmful to sensitive skin)
- Use an anti-itch cream – suppose you are already bitten, scratching it is the last thing you need to do -even if you feel the urge to. Just use soothing anti-itch cream over the bites. It will reduce the irritation, and soon you will feel better. (Chamomile lotion is a great substitute as well)
- This one will make you roll your eyes and go come on! but it is effective – wearing long clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquitoes In Hawaii
Are Mosquitos Native to Hawaii?
No. Records show that it was only after European explorers arrived in Hawaii (in the 1800s) and dumped dirty bilge water on the island that the infestation of Mosquitos began.
What is The Mosquitoe Peak Season In Hawaii?
In the summertime (March to November).
What is the least mosquito-inhabited Hawaiian Island?
According to reviews of travellers – Maui
Are there mosquitos in the beach areas as well?
Yes – any place with water.
When are mosquitoes most active?
In the early morning hours and towards the late evenings
What are the most common mosquito-ridden diseases in Hawaii?
Zika, dengue and chikungunya
Is dengue or chikungunya common in Hawaii?
No (no recorded cases in 2021)