Where Do Mosquitoes Go in the Winter?
Have you ever wondered why you don’t see too many mosquitos in the winter? Contrary to popular belief, they usually don’t die off or skip town. Infact, they have their own unique way of surviving the colder months without having to flee to a warmer climate. Here’s how they do it.
A Typical Mosquito’s Life Pattern
Like most insects, mosquitos are more active in the warmer months. This is when you’re most likely to see them buzzing around and have to watch out for those painful bites. The female mosquitos are the bloodsuckers. They use your blood, which is rich in proteins, to reproduce.
The females will keep biting and reproducing until the temperature drops below 50°F. After the temperature drops, they are much less active; once the first frost hits, they go into a hibernation state called diapause. This diapause state allows them to survive the winter. Depending on the species, some will lay their eggs when the winter hits, others will hibernate in their diapause state.
The Mosquito’s Eggs
Mosquitos of all species have similar life cycles. These cycles begin in an egg stage. Typically, mosquitos will lay their eggs individually on damp surfaces like planters, gutters, unused tires, flat rooftops, or unused pools.
The mosquito hatches from the egg and spends its larval and pupal stages in water, until they’re ready for flight. Some species of mosquitoes have eggs that are able to survive the cold; they remain in an embryonic diapause state throughout the winter until the weather heats up.
When the Weather Warms
Once the mosquitos wake up out of their diapause state, their life cycles start again. Mosquitos begin to stir at the start of spring. The warmer temperatures let them know that it’s time for them to find some protein quickly because their winter stores are depleted. The beginning of spring is prime time for mosquito bites because they are hungry and need to begin their reproductive cycles.
How to Prevent an Infestation
Just because you may not see any mosquitos doesn’t mean they aren’t there; the pests are just waiting for the warm weather to return and then they’ll be back to annoying you. The best way for you to prevent a mosquito problem around your home is to have year-round preventive pest control treatment. This will ensure that there aren’t any hibernating mosquitos or eggs around your home.
Vulcan Termite & Pest Control has been keeping homes in the Birmingham and Over The Mountain area pest free since 1965. With our Board Certified Entomologist on staff, we are consistently keeping our pest control strategies up to date, bringing you the most innovative and effective pest control services possible. Contact us today and keep your home pest free this year!