They’re back, and they’re out for blood.

Last week’s rain and this week’s intense heat have created the ideal breeding ground for our not-so-beloved unofficial state bird, the mosquito.

Susan Paskewitz, a UW-Madison entomology professor, has been monitoring mosquito larvae at Warner Park and said the Madison area can expect plenty of adult mosquitoes for the weekend, just in time for the city’s Rhythm & Booms fireworks display, which has been delayed until Sunday, also at Warner Park.

“Don’t tell me that,” said Dowayne Shields Jr., of Madison. “I’ll stay in the house for the rest of the summer.”

The insects’ presence depends on wind speed and temperature, but Paskewitz said mosquitoes usually come out in swarms around dawn and again at dusk.

Mosquitoes generally live up to four weeks, and UW-Madison entomologist Phil Pellitteri said future weather will determine whether new generations spring up to take their place.

“If we get into a dry spell, life gets good,” he said. “If we get heavy rains again, you get another hatch.”

Pellitteri and Paskewitz said they anticipate lower mosquito counts this summer, at least compared to last year’s painful season, induced by spring flooding.

Friends Sara Ensign, Linda Yang and Kristin Pachal said mosquitoes have just begun bothering them again within the past few days, and expect more are on their way.

“Last night was really the first night I noticed,” Pachal said on Friday. “I’m hoping this year won’t be so bad.”

For protection, Paskewitz suggests oil of lemon eucalyptus, which she said works as well as DEET in high concentrations.

Species of mosquitoes found in the Madison area are typically attracted to darker colors, so Paskewitz said wearing white or light clothing would make them less likely to attack. Chamomile lotions also work as a mild repellent, she said.

Many other remedies do not work, such as repellent wristbands, vitamin B1 and citronella, Paskewitz said.

“People are looking for something that solves the problem, and usually it’s something that will help to some degree,” Pellitteri said. If you have a deck, he recommends setting up a window fan to blow the blood-suckers away. Or if it gets really bad, putting on a mesh suit.

“To be honest, I have one in my car all the time,” Pellitteri said.