Biting Insects have certain favored seasons, weather conditions, and times of day. Except for the inside of dwellings, which few prefer, biting insects are essentially absent in winter, and scarce in fall. Although there are many exceptions, the "high period" for most biting insects in North America is Spring (especially May in most areas) and Summer. By late August attacks have lessened in most areas.

Weather can increase or decrease the presence of biting insects or their inclination to bite. Biting is especially vicious before, and sometimes even during storms. Most biters find it difficult to compete with wind, so staying in a breeze, especially a strong breeze or wind, is a good way to escape attacks. More generally, areas with steady breezes tend to be biter-free, while nearby areas protected from the wind may be swarming.

A few biters (including some Mosquitos) may attack at night, and even within the house. However, aside from bedbugs which attack their victims in bed at night, most biting insects are active only in the day time. Their preferred times seem to be very early, between the crack of day and sunrise, and late afternoon and very early evening. In the middle of the day, they tend to be confined to protected areas out of the direct sun and heavier breezes.