How many mosquitoes are there in Sälen in the summer?

Mosquitoes in the mountains are the issue that determines whether many families dare to book a week in July – and it deserves an honest answer rather than a sales pitch. Here’s the situation: yes, there are mosquitoes in Sälen in the summer, sometimes a great many. No, it’s not the same as in the marshlands further north. And above all: the difference between a week with mosquitoes and one without has more to do with which week and which place you choose than with luck. This guide explains how to make that choice, so that you can book holiday cottages in Sälen in the summer with the right expectations.

There’s no point in sugar-coating this. A guest who’s been given a hard time all week won’t be coming back, whereas one who was prepared will barely remember the incident. Hence the straight-talking version.

Short answer: it depends entirely on the week and the location

Mosquito pressure varies enormously – from year to year, from week to week, and between locations just a few hundred metres apart. A windy afternoon on the bare mountain can be completely mosquito-free, whilst a windless evening down by a bog a kilometre away can be unbearable. The key factors are humidity, calm conditions and temperature: mosquitoes hatch from still water and cannot fly in the wind. Therefore, the simple answer to the question ”how many mosquitoes are there?” is always a corresponding ”where, when and is it windy?”. The good news is that all three factors can be controlled – and that the mountain environment itself is considerably windier than the woodland below.

Mosquito season in the mountains – when it usually peaks

Broadly speaking, mosquitoes become active when the heat really sets in; they usually peak in the height of summer and gradually decline in late summer. In practice, this means that June is often relatively quiet, July is the worst month, and the second half of August is usually much more pleasant. September is normally not a problem. But the year matters: a warm and wet early summer leads to a heavier infestation, whilst a dry or cold early summer can make the whole season mild. It’s impossible to predict exact weeks, and anyone who claims otherwise is just guessing. If you want to maximise your chances of a quiet week, choose late August or early September – which is also one of the most beautiful times of year in the mountains.

Where the mosquitoes are worst (and where it’s usually quiet)

Geography makes more of a difference than the calendar. Conditions are worst where it is damp and windless: marshy ground, stagnant water, dense spruce forest, low-lying areas and sheltered forest clearings – especially in the evening. It’s calmest where it’s windy and dry: up on the bare mountain, on open ridges, on windy crests and near running water. That’s why a mountain hike is often the most mosquito-free thing you’ll do all week, whilst berry-picking on the marsh is the opposite. Altitude also helps – the higher up you go, the fewer insects there are. In practical terms, this means you should take your breaks on high ground rather than in sheltered hollows, and that a windy spot is preferable to a sheltered one during weeks when the pressure is high.

Midges and horseflies – the other pests

Mosquitoes get the blame, but they’re not alone. Midges are considerably smaller, get under your clothes and around your hairline, and leave bites that itch for longer than mosquito bites; they thrive near running water and are most active in early summer and well into the summer. Horseflies are large, silent and unwelcome – they are sun-worshippers who love to turn up by the water on warm, still days, which is precisely when you’ve decided to go for a swim. Ticks are another matter: they thrive in tall grass and deciduous woodland rather than on bare mountain slopes, but do check yourself after walks in lower-lying terrain. All three require the same basic protection as mosquitoes, and midges also require long-sleeved clothing as mosquito repellent is less effective against them.

Protection that actually works

Clothing is the most effective form of protection, full stop. Long-sleeved tops and long trousers made of thick fabric – preferably light-coloured – keep out most of them – and for those really bad evenings, there’s the mosquito net top, which looks a bit silly but saves your holiday. Mosquito repellent works on bare skin; choose a product approved for this purpose, apply as per the instructions on the packaging and expect to reapply throughout the day. There are products specifically designed for children – always read the instructions and follow the age restrictions. Mosquito coils or mosquito candles can help on a patio, but only when there’s no wind. Indoors, mosquito nets on the windows and a fly swatter are invaluable; check that the windows in your home can be opened whilst the nets are in place. And avoid perfumed products, as these attract rather than repel mosquitoes.

Plan your week so you can avoid the worst of it

Most problems can be solved by planning. Schedule your activities for when the wind is blowing: mountain walks, summit hikes and open trails during the hours when the mosquitoes are at their most active – that is, in the morning and, in particular, in the evening. Go for walks in the woods and across marshes in the middle of the day, when the sun is high and the air is moving. Have dinner indoors on evenings when the mosquito pressure is high, and save your barbecues for windier days. If you’re going berry-picking – which is one of late summer’s great pleasures – check out our guide on The hiking season, month by month to schedule the picking week for when the insects have died down. Rainy and windy days are actually the best days for catching mosquitoes all season.

Summary – a summer in the mountains without the mosquito chaos

The truth about mosquitoes in the mountains around Sälen:

• Yes, there are mosquitoes – mostly in July, least in June and from mid-August onwards.
• Wind and altitude are your best friends; the open mountain is almost always calmer than the forest.
• The worst are damp, windless places in the evening: marshes, glades and stagnant water.
• Clothes offer better protection than any repellent; a mosquito-net top saves the day on the worst evenings.
• Midges, horseflies and ticks all require special attention – long-sleeved, long-legged clothing helps against all of them.
• Plan your activities according to the time of day and how windy it is, and the problem will mostly sort itself out.

With the right week, the right clothes and a bit of planning, the mosquitoes in Sälen are a mere footnote – not a reason to give up on a summer in the mountains. If you’d like to know what the rest of the summer weather is usually like, we’ve covered that in the guide on The weather in Sälen during the summer.