In many parts of the country, mosquitoes aren’t much of an issue in the winter. However, in milder winter climates, a mosquito-free season isn’t a given. If you’re hoping to avoid a heavy mosquito winter, year-round mosquito control might be the answer for you. Let’s take a closer look at how mosquitoes survive mild winters and what you can do about it.
Why Mosquitoes Survive in Mild Winter Climates
You might think that cold temperatures kill off mosquitoes, but that’s not always the case. You may not see mosquitoes flying around once the temperatures drop below 50 degrees, but that doesn’t mean they’ve disappeared. Mosquitoes are indeed impacted by lower temperatures, and they’re unable to fly when it gets too cold. However, mosquitoes, like most living creatures, have learned to adapt to the cold.
Male mosquitoes typically die in cold temperatures. However, even during winter months in cold temperatures, female mosquitoes are around. They go into a state called diapause. Ohio State University entomologist David Denlinger describes diapause as a state where mosquitoes “essentially shut down their development and hunker it out until spring comes.” Once warmer temperatures arrive, the females that have overwintered will lay their eggs.
Some mosquitoes lay eggs right when the temperature drops, and mosquito eggs are resilient. They have been known to survive many harsh conditions. While it is very common for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs on or near standing water, they can survive desert situations, freezing temperatures, and other forces of nature, such as storms. Keep in mind that once a mosquito egg hatches, it becomes an adult (adult = biting) in 4-7 days, so this process is a quick one. If the winter conditions are short-lived or especially mild, the adult mosquitoes may never enter diapause, and the eggs can hatch immediately.
The Risks of Mosquito Infestations in Winter
If the conditions are too mild to cause mosquitoes to become inactive or to postpone the hatching of their eggs, you’re looking at a busy mosquito winter. So, what are the risks of mosquito infestations in the winter?
Active mosquitoes come with the same risks, regardless of the season. If it’s warm enough for mosquitoes to fly and feed, you need to be concerned about mosquito bites. Mosquito bites are bothersome enough on their own, but they can also come with various dangerous viruses and infections, including:
- Chikungunya
- Dengue
- Encephalitis (various forms, including LaCrosse, Eastern Equine, Japanese, and St. Louis)
- Malaria
- Oropouche
- West Nile virus
- Yellow fever
- Zika virus
Beyond mosquito-borne diseases, mosquito populations are usually kept in check by colder weather. The males die, and even the females who go into diapause are unable to continue feeding and laying more eggs. Additionally, colder temperatures prevent mosquito eggs from hatching. If the temperatures never drop enough to impact mosquito populations or their eggs, the population can continue to grow unchecked, leading to more and more mosquitoes.
Practical Tips for Mosquito Control in Mild Winters
Since milder temps mean heavier mosquito winters, it’s important to know what you can do to help control mosquito populations in your yard and outdoor areas. The following steps for home mosquito control can make a significant difference for you.
- Eliminate standing water: Make sure your yard and outdoor areas are clear of anything that could hold water. Look out for pots, garden tools, children’s toys, play structures, or even divots in the yard. If there’s standing water anywhere, like kiddie pools or birdbaths, dump it out every 24 hours and refill it if necessary.
- Keep trash cans covered: Cover garbage, recycling, and compost cans to help avoid puddles of water building in the bottom.
- Fill holes: Mosquitoes can hide out in holes in trees, in your yard, in siding, and more. If there are any open holes on your property, plug them up wherever possible. Use fine wire mesh smaller than a mosquito to cover any openings that can’t be fully closed or filled.
- Be mindful of landscaping: Keep your lawn mowed, keep debris off the ground, and make sure you don’t overwater to ensure no puddles of water can build up in your lawn or garden.
These steps won’t eliminate every mosquito that can make its way onto your property, but they can help. From there, it’s time to look at outdoor mosquito control.
Outdoor Mosquito Control for Year-Round Protection
Once you’ve done everything you can to eliminate places for mosquitoes to hide, breed, and feed, it’s time to consider targeted outdoor mosquito control to do the rest.
There are many options for home mosquito control to help manage mosquitoes on your property all year. This is helpful for anyone now that the weather is frequently unpredictable, but it’s particularly helpful for people who live in areas with mild winter conditions. Want to avoid battling your way through a mosquito winter? Call in the professionals.
Why Professional Mosquito Control Is the Best Option
How can you avoid the constant hatching of mosquitoes in your yard? Start by making sure your yards are clear of anything that can catch rainwater to avoid an overabundance of mosquito eggs. From there, go ahead and get on the schedule for regular mosquito control services with your local Mosquito Joe®.
We offer both traditional and eco-friendly barrier spray options, featuring targeted treatments to help keep your yard bite-free. Our services are backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise® , which ensures you’ll be happy with our work. We’ll do the job right and make sure you get the necessary mosquito control, even in the winter. That means you can spend your time doing the things you love instead of swatting at bugs every time you set foot outside.
Ready to get started? Learn more about how Mosquito Joe customizes our treatments to your yard and your needs. Contact us today!
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mosquito Joe for more information and a professional on-site assessment.
