Particularly for northern areas, the arrival of cooler temperatures provides a significant relief from the presence of pesky mosquitoes. However, come spring, as predictable as the blooming of flowers, the buzz and bite of the mosquito returns, turning your outdoor fun into a swat fest.
While the number of mosquitoes during the winter decreases, they are still able to survive cold temperatures. But how do mosquitoes survive winter? Let Mosquito Joe provide some insight and answers to this common question.
How Do Mosquitoes Survive in the Winter?
Mosquitoes are cold-blooded so one would think that the arrival of cold weather would spell their demise. Not so!
Mosquitoes have two main techniques to ensure their survival:
Hibernation
Mosquitoes prefer temperatures in the 80-degree range, and once the mercury falls below 50 degrees many species shut down for the winter. The adult females find holes in logs, animal dens, or even human habitats (such as cabins or homes) where they will stay dormant in anticipation of warmer weather, emerging again when temperatures reach 50 degrees.
Laying Eggs
Some mosquito species will lay eggs as a type of future security. The adult females will lay eggs in cold waters—ponds, bogs, wetlands, etc.—where the eggs remain until warmer water temperatures prompt them to hatch. While this does not secure the survival of the mosquitoes that lay the eggs, it does allow for the repopulation of mosquitoes come spring.
Having survived for millions of years, mosquitoes have proven to be a hardy species able to thrive even after long winters.
How to Prevent Overwintering Mosquito Eggs
Eliminating any potential places for mosquitoes to lay eggs in preparation for the following spring is one way to decrease the number of springtime mosquitoes in your yard. This means making sure your yard is free from standing water in the fall and winter months.
Consider these tactics to decrease mosquito egg habitat:
- Empty any kiddie pools and toys by turning them over and leaving them upside down to dry.
- Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
- Clean out any standing water in flower pots.
- Keep garbage pails tightly covered.
- Change or drain tarps for firewood and outdoor pools, as well as check your barbecue cover daily for any pooled water.
- Get rid of or regularly check any items that could hold pooled water, such as boats, canoes, kayaks, old tires, buckets or cans.
- Regularly clean gutters to prevent standing water in them.
- Change the water in bird baths daily.
Warm weather is right around the corner! Call Mosquito Joe or contact us online so you can start springtime itch-free.
