Mosquitoes

2-Bit Speed

2-Bit Speed

Pattern Altitude
Joined
Nov 9, 2021
Messages
1,553
Display Name
Display name:
2-Bit Speed
The other day, I was outside and it was windy. Pleasantly so. Doubly so because there were no mosquitoes buzzing around, and that made me wonder: What is the maximum crosswind for a South-Georgia swamp mosquito?
 
I can only find videos of Mosquitoes landing without crosswind, so it’s hard to say.

Obviously unladen, as they would have dropped their bomb load.
 
AV8R_87 said:
1.5 mph
Click to expand...

According to my AI brain trust the answer is:

"Mosquitoes typically quit flying when wind speeds exceed their flying speed, which is around 3.6 miles per hour, and they are especially affected by gusty conditions that disrupt their flight patterns."

We have some here in Carolina that are big enough to have ticks on them. Their wind resistance may be a bit higher because of span loading ... ;)
 
Yes, fortunately these scourges of the fairer months aren't known for their skill in navigating much more than a gentle breeze, which is why Ye Olde Box Fan, strategically placed at ankle-level height on the deck, offers a vast improvement in quality-of-life for all cookout attendees.
 
The crosswind component is key...never stand directly up/downwind of a mosquito.
 
I still remember the gray Navy pickup that would drive through the neighborhood near sundown in Puerto Rico blasting DDT in the air to quell the mosquitoes. We lived on the edge of a mangrove swamp. Don't get caught there at the wrong time of day or the blood could literally be drained from your body in the event of a mosquito swarm.
 
Baked Potato said:
Yes, fortunately these scourges of the fairer months aren't known for their skill in navigating much more than a gentle breeze, which is why Ye Olde Box Fan, strategically placed at ankle-level height on the deck, offers a vast improvement in quality-of-life for all cookout attendees.
Click to expand...
Yes that helps a lot.
We used a quiet 1000watt Yamaha and a modified squirrel cage fan out of a old furnace with a different pulley on it so the genset could start it.
That genset and fan ran 24/7 for days at most campouts because it kept the area more comfortable. We have lots of visitors that wanted to stand in the downwind.
 
Last edited:
Rumor has it that Germany had a Mosquito problem at one time...

De_Havilland_Mosquito-DK338-1942.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top