What Happens to Mosquitoes in the Winter?
When cold weather sets in, we can finally say goodbye to those pesky mosquitoes. But have you ever wondered what happens to these blood-thirsty insects during the winter?
How Mosquitoes Survive During the Winter
As temperatures start to drop, some mosquitoes die, while some mosquitoes enter a phase called diapause. This is a state of dormancy where they slow down their metabolism and become inactive. Diapause can last for several months, typically starting around October and ending around April. During this time, mosquitoes seek out shelter in protected places such as leaf litter, cracks in bark, underground sewer drains, animal burrows, or even inside buildings. Mosquitoes have been around for millions of years and have survived through the ice age, which gave them plenty of time to adapt to extreme weather and environments.
But what about those pesky mosquitoes that have already laid their eggs? Well, their eggs are a lot more resilient than you might think and can lay dormant for up to 15 years. These eggs can survive through the cold as well as freezing temperatures. Mosquito eggs are able to stay submerged under ice and will hatch when water temperatures rise in the spring. This means you may encounter these mosquitoes as soon as the weather heats back up.
However, not all mosquito species have the ability to enter diapause. Some species cannot survive the winter, and their eggs cannot survive the freezing temperatures. Therefore, these species die off during the winter, and new mosquitoes will need to migrate from warmer climates for them to reappear in the spring.
Another factor that greatly affects the survival and population of mosquitoes during the winter is the amount of snow cover. If there is a heavy snow cover, it provides insulation for the dormant mosquitoes and allows them to survive even lower temperatures. On the other hand, if there is little to no snow cover, the cold temperatures can kill off a large portion of the mosquito population.
But even with all these factors, it is important to remember that some form of mosquito population will always be present throughout the year. In fact, a small number of mosquitoes even remain active during the winter, especially in warmer regions. These are usually the female mosquitoes that have already mated and are in search of a blood meal to help develop their eggs.
Take Action - What Homeowners Can Do
So, what can we do to prevent mosquitoes from returning in full force during the spring? One of the best ways is to eliminate any standing water around your property. This means emptying out birdbaths, flower pots, gutters, and any other areas where water may collect. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so by removing these sources, you can greatly reduce their population.
In conclusion, while mosquitoes may not be as active during the winter, they are still present in some form. Even if temperatures are still inconsistent, starting treatments early and preparing is key. At Serious Mosquito Tick & Flea Solutions Environmental LLC we recommend starting in April so we can survey the property, remove standing water, identify issues, as well as apply the first treatment. It is important to take preventative measures to reduce their population and avoid being their next blood meal.
So, before you start celebrating the end of mosquito season, remember that they will be back – and it's better to be prepared.
