Winter is the season for holiday parties, festive feasts, and gift-giving among family members and friends. Cold weather conjures up images of Christmas trees, snowmen, and even snowball fights. The existence of mosquitoes is something that most people do not consider at this time of year. Mosquitoes are one of the most troubling insects that you have to deal with during the warm months of the year. Their bites are infuriating, and their buzz is even worse.
Being outside is less intriguing when mosquitoes are present. Some mosquito species end up dying during a specific time of year because they cannot sustain the cold weather; regrettably, other mosquitoes are strong enough to endure the winter and patiently wait to annoy everyone once the temperature increases. To survive, they hibernate during this time. This article will tell you how and why mosquitoes hibernate during the winter. Let’s find out!
What Happens to Mosquitoes In the Winter?
Mosquitoes are almost non-existent in the winter. Where do they go during the winter days, and do they return the following year? One thing is certain: A mosquito’s life expectancy is long enough for them to sustain the cold winter season. Mosquitoes hibernate when it gets too cold outside. Things start to get a little too cold for everyone’s blood-sucking friends around 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius). The real survival battle starts when the winter cooling sets in.
When the temperature drops below 50° F (10° C), they go into hibernation. In the winter, mosquito bodies shut down, similar to other animals that hibernate. Some mosquito species end up dying in the fall but lay winter-resistant eggs.
Because mosquitoes are cold-blooded, the hibernation process (also known as diapause) is natural for them. A mosquito prefers temperatures above 80° Fahrenheit (roughly 27° Celsius). They can, however, be involved in the chillier zone, all the way down to 50° F. During this transition period in the fall, adult mosquitoes will seek a warmer location. They will reap the benefits of the late summers to be ready for winter. A mosquito may bite you if it enters your home before the hibernation process begins. A female mosquito can survive indoors for up to six to eight weeks, so you could be bitten even in the winter. However, the chances of getting bitten are much lower in the winter.
Winter activity is not unusual for insects, but for the majority of mosquitoes, it is all about the weather. Colder places will have a shorter period of activity, making it less likely that most mosquitoes will continue to survive. However, in the south, you can find mosquitoes in your house all year.
Know Where Mosquitoes Hibernate In the Winter
The majority of female mosquitoes will try to suppress themselves in fairly warm gaps (in their native surroundings) or crawl inside walls and buildings. They hibernate in warmer areas to increase their chances of survival during the winter. Hibernation occurs when the temperature is consistently below 50° F (10° C).
Mosquitoes are generally harmless to humans because the females are small insects that can fit into tiny spaces. Other females will lay eggs which can endure freezing temperatures. When spring returns, the embryos emerge from their protective shells and grow into adults.
Mosquitoes can hibernate in a variety of locations. Here is a list of the main places to find a hibernating mosquito for your ease:
- Water is where eggs and embryos hibernate.
- Adults hibernate in deep holes and wall surfaces.
- They are frequently discovered in tree logs.
Because the mosquito is a cold-blooded creature, it must rely on the heat of the environment to stay warm. They are often found in vacuous logs, the crevices of outer tree stumps, and even in the gaps from other animals’ excavations. When you discover them in places like this, you’ll notice that they’re seated very low to the earth, attempting to keep warm. When reached, they will be rigid and will not proceed at all. Mosquitoes require a sheltered and protected environment to hibernate. They frequently select snuffed logs and even hideouts where other animals are kept. They will enter man-made constructions, such as residences and barns, when they are able.
How Do Mosquitoes Hibernate?
Mosquitoes, like reptiles, are cold-blooded pests. This implies that their core temperature adapts rapidly to the heat of their surroundings. As a result, mosquitoes, like many other insects, are more common during the warmer months. Mosquitoes that do live in colder temperatures will most likely die off because winter has arrived. On the other hand, mosquitoes that live in milder weather usually enter hibernate mode when the weather cools.
Female mosquitoes emerge from hibernation in the early spring and begin ingesting blood meals and laying eggs.
Mosquito eggs that have been laid but have not yet hatched can also survive the winter during the colder months. This is referred to as a dormant embryo state. Even without water, the mosquitoes inside these eggs can sustain the winter weather. Mosquito larvae can even survive the winter, though this is extremely rare. When larvae must survive the winter, they usually live in freshwater marshes, where they are buried beneath several layers of mud and warmth.
Hibernation Resulted in Longer Lifespan
A mosquito’s life span is relatively short. Males generally live for ten to twenty days, whereas females can live for up to 100 days. Hibernation, on the other hand, can extend a mosquito’s life. Males can live for six to eight months in hibernation, even though they are totally inactive.
Arctic mosquitoes, which have an amazing capacity to sustain hibernation in the coldest temperatures, can live even longer once they hibernate. These insects can often live for up to a year.
What About Non-Hibernating Mosquitoes?
Not all mosquito species hibernate. Female mosquitoes who do not hibernate lay their eggs in the winter before dying off. These eggs will overwinter in water as superficial as a half-inch deep, even if it freezes, and will hatch when the temperatures rise again in the spring.
Mosquitoes can also survive the winter indoors in residences and other warm structures. They frequently hide near entrances or above walls and doors, for example. That means you can still get bitten by a mosquito inside in the winter or even outside on unseasonably warm days.
Contact Clegg’s For Mosquito Control
During the hotter seasons of the year, mosquitoes are one of the most troubling pests. With their annoying and extremely itchy bites, they can speedily ruin the most lovely night. Just because they are not around for the winter doesn’t mean they won’t come back. Contact Clegg’s via the form below if you are in need of mosquito control services and would like a free inspection.
