Alaska Mosquitoes: How Bad Are They and How to Survive Them?

Any time you venture into the great outdoors, odds are you may have to contend with nature’s little nuisances. While Alaska does have a reputation as a mosquito haven, it really depends on the time of year and the part of the state you’ll be exploring.

 

If your plans during the summer months include traveling to coastal towns like Juneau, Skagway, Whittier or Ketchikan or better yet through the Inside Passage on an expedition cruise like those run by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, you can rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy this majestic natural playground with relatively few bugs getting in your way.                  

 

If, however, you're planning to venture to areas further inland or up north where mosquitoes are much more prevalent, you can take protective measures—like wearing long-sleeved clothing, applying bug spray or repellent and using specialized items like bug nets to cover your head and face or torso.  

 

 

How Bad Are Mosquitoes in Alaska? 

 

The mosquito is often jokingly called the “Alaska state bird,” since in certain areas you will find so many mosquitoes and some can reach pretty healthy sizes. However, they are most prevalent in places where the average Alaska traveler isn't spending much time, like on the inland tundra, in areas with standing water, like swamps and muskegs, in areas of snowmelt and heavy rainfall, and in the far northern regions.  

 

Outside these areas, the bugs aren’t necessarily any worse than in the Lower 48, and with hot and dry, windy or rainy weather, you shouldn’t have any issues. “In Southeast Alaska, on our ships, it’s not really bad at all,” says Sarah Friedlander, who develops Alaska itineraries for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. “It’s really only when you’re hiking in areas with standing water that you’ll notice any bugs.” 

 

Plus, mosquitoes in Alaska fortunately aren’t dangerous since they can’t transmit malaria or other diseases like the bugs notoriously do in warmer parts of the world. Because the summer season in Alaska is relatively short, there isn't enough time for the parasites that cause disease or the mosquitoes to complete their lifecycle and transmit any illness. 

 

When Is Mosquito Season in Alaska?

 

The best time of year to visit Alaska does overlap with mosquito season—it’s the warmer, greener months, when the snow is melting or has melted. This is a lovely time to explore “The Last Frontier,” snapping photos of charismatic fauna like grizzlies gorging on salmon, bald eagles hunting, Dall sheep climbing craggy outcrops, and of course, an array of spectacular marine animals like humpback whales, harbor seals, sea lions, orcas and sea otters.  

 

Alaska’s mosquitoes make their first appearance in late April or early May, as the snow melts. One of the first to emerge is Culiseta alaskaeensis, the “snow mosquito,” a bigger, slower mosquito that dies off in a few weeks. In late May or early June, the quicker, more cunning species come out to mate and feed.

 

From Friedlander’s experience, the bugs peak from the second week of June through the end of July, then are almost invariably gone come early August, and September and October are way too cold—plus it’s started snowing again. 

 

What Is the Best Mosquito Repellent for Alaska?

 

The best repellent, jokes Friedlander, is “moving”—not staying in one place long enough for the mosquitoes to find you. You might also stick solely to the coastal areas, where the bugs aren’t nearly as thick, during mosquito season. But if you’re headed inland, to explore the legendary mountain ranges and tundra, you’ll want solid protection.   

 

These include things like a bottle of waterproof bug spray containing DEET or, if concerned about chemical exposure, a less potent alternative; clothing that’s been pre-treated in the insect repellent permethrin; a Thermacell diffuser, which creates an invisible bug barrier; a mesh mosquito head net, and a base layer of long-sleeved, protective clothes.  

 

 

DEET mosquito bug spray

 

DEET is a go-to repellent for a reason: it makes you invisible to bugs. It is a strong chemical and in high concentrations, it can cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation, stain or dissolve synthetic clothing (nylon, spandex, rayon, etc.), and fog up or dissolve plastic screens like those found on watch crystals, sunglasses or GPS navigation units. In any case, DEET is typically meant to be applied to your skin—not clothing—and per the CDC, peaks in efficacy at a concentration of roughly 50 percent, meaning higher-concentration formulae won’t protect you longer.  

 

Plenty of brand-name repellents like Off!, Cutter and Sawyer all use DEET, while you can also find DEET in time-release form that aims for a lower concentration. When using DEET, make sure to wash your hands after application and shower as soon as you can afterward, to reduce exposure time. 

 

DEET Alternatives

 

There are milder alternatives to DEET, from essential oils to gentler chemical products to home remedies. Consider using citronella oil, a popular option with its pleasing, citrusy scent. It’s also classified by the EPA as a “minimum-risk pesticide.” Lemon-eucalyptus oil is another more natural go-to.  

 

For more robust protection, you might consider repellents with the compound picaridin, which is nearly odorless (especially compared to DEET, with its trademark aroma), won’t damage clothing and can also be found in many name-brand products. 

 

If you prefer the DIY route, try searching for homemade bug spray recipes online that use more natural ingredients like apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, dish soap and/or lavender, peppermint or cinnamon oil—all scents that have been found to help repel mosquitoes.  

 

Permethrin-Treated Clothes

 

Another option is to wear clothing you’ve either treated yourself using the insecticide permethrin or that’s pre-treated by the manufacturer. Per the CDC, at a concentration of only 0.5 percent, “permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes and other biting and nuisance arthropods.” Look for EPA-registered treatments including Permanone, Sawyer, Permethrin, Repel and Ultrathon Permethrin Clothing Treatment. 

 

If applying the permethrin yourself, give it 24 to 48 hours to dry before packing your clothes to travel, and re-treat your clothes after launderings as recommended by the manufacturer. Meanwhile, pre-treated gear will be labeled as having Insect Shield, BugsAway or Insect Blocker technology, and can include T-shirts, jackets, pants, socks, hats and head nets. 

 

Thermacell Devices

 

A Thermacell is a name-brand device that’s essentially a personal diffuser, powered by either a rechargeable battery or butane. A Thermacell expels proprietary, scentless, refillable repellent into the air, creating a 20-foot-diameter zone that keeps bugs at bay. You can find tabletop options as well as portable handheld options ideal for hikers.

 

Note this may not be the best option if you're hiking in a small group like on an expedition. "On hikes through Bear Country, guests stay close together," says Friedlander. "I wouldn't recommend a Thermacell in these cases since your fellow hikers may not want to be in a cloud of repellent."

 

 

Bug Nets, Clothing and More 

 

To avoid returning from your Alaskan adventure with an assortment of bumps and bites as a souvenir, you may need some additional layers of protection or to employ other strategies. 

 

In extreme cases, like if you’ll be out on the open tundra of far north Alaska, you might want a mesh bug net—at the very least for your head, if not torso or whole body. As a base layer, wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting garments with a tight cotton weave over more porous synthetic fabric.  

 

Friedlander notes that rain gear—which guests are typically wearing anyway on Southeast Alaska cruises with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions—makes for a great bug barrier. Likewise, try to keep your scent neutral, meaning zero or minimal perfume, deodorant or scented soap. 

 

Finally, if you’re going to be in one place for a while, as with camping or picnicking, set up a screened-in tent; simple tasks like cooking, reading a book, and talking to a friend are made infinitely more pleasant when you aren’t spending your time swatting away skeeters.  

 

Alaska Mosquito Tips

 

Time Your Visit

Mosquitoes come out mainly during the morning and evening hours—dawn and dusk—so try to plan your visit to a site with known mosquito activity for the warmer middle hours of the day.

 

Consider Your Footwear

It’s easy to overlook, but mosquitoes can bite you through your shoes—and if you’re wearing sandals, forget it! Waterproof, high-topped hiking boots or rubber muck boots offer the best protection, as will thicker socks you can tuck your pants cuffs into.

 

Dress in Light Colors

Studies have shown mosquitoes are less attracted to light colors like white, khaki, beige, pastel blue or soft grey. As an added bonus, these colors can help keep you cooler on warmer days.

 

Create a Breeze

Fans are also proven mosquito repellents. If hiking through mosquito country, create your own mini-breeze by using a handheld personal fan, most of which are relatively inexpensive.

 

Don’t Scratch

It’s easier said than done, but scratching can extend healing time by increasing the release of histamine and inflaming the bite site; opening the skin by scratching also increases the risk of infection—not ideal in the Alaskan backcountry.

 

With its snow-capped mountains, breathtaking fjords, verdant forests and extraordinary wildlife, there is truly no place like Alaska. Mosquito season is short and depending on your route you may be able to avoid them almost altogether—so don’t let the threat of these bugs put a damper on what is sure to be an exhilarating adventure in this untamed wilderness.