Where Do Mosquitoes Go In The Winter?
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During a recent mid-February warm up, I actually saw several insects flying around, even though it had been in the low 20’s just a few days earlier. I even saw a moth circling an outdoor light in the evening. That got me wondering, where do mosquitoes spend the winter? They are cold-blooded, so the freezing temperatures are going to keep them in some form of hibernation.
Mosquitoes are amazing creatures and most survive the winter in a different life stage, such as an egg, or will enter a period of inactivity called diapause. Some have the ability to dehydrate themselves to avoid freezing and wait until the weather warms up again. Other insects can actually raise the level of glycerol in their body (the glycerol acts as an anti-freeze to prevent them from freezing).
In regards to mosquitoes, it all depends on the species as to how they protect themselves during the winter. Some mosquitoes lay eggs in moist areas to survive the winter. The eggs remain dormant until the temperatures warm and spring rains return, usually in the spring. Other mosquito species spend the winter in the larval stage. These mosquitoes will enter into the diapause stage and stop developing as their metabolism slows way down.
Surprisingly, many mosquito species will spend the winter as adults. Most of the adult population at this time consists of females. After mating in the fall, the males will die off, which happens quite often in the insect world, and the females look for a place to spend the winter. Hollowed out logs, underneath leaves, the burrow of an animal or any other suitable site that will allow them to survive until the following spring. When these females become active in the spring, they immediately start looking for a blood meal. Once this has been completed, the females find any standing water in which they can lay their eggs.
A good place to learn more about insects or just any other household pest is the National Pest Management Association at www.pestworld.org. In their section on mosquito prevention, they list some very good points on what to do to prevent mosquitoes from bothering you this year.
- Inspect your property now for water-holding items that could contain mosquito eggs deposited during the warmer months. These items may include flowerpots, birdbaths, tire swings, grill covers and other objects where water collects.
- Homeowners should unclog gutters, repair any leaky pipes or faucets on the outside of their home, drill holes in the bottom of tire swings and wheel barrels to allow water to drain, and ensure trash cans are tightly sealed and lids aren’t flipped upside down.
- Apply an insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon-eucalyptus when spending time outdoors, especially in areas that don’t get much colder than 50 degrees fahrenheit like Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida and Southern California. Make sure to apply the repellent as directed on the label.