Mosquito Relief: Where Do Mosquitoes Go In The Winter?

Here in Wisconsin, the one thing we love about winter is that there are no mosquitoes. It’s almost worth going through the cold months knowing that if you go outside you won’t be attacked. But in the spring those annoying insects are back in swarms. How can they come back so fast? Where do mosquitoes go in the winter? 

If there’s one thing we can all agree on in this country it’s that mosquitoes are the worst part of summer. There are over 200 species of mosquito in the United States, twelve of which can spread deadly diseases such as Zika. 

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded creatures which means they cannot regulate their own body heat. When cooler temperatures start to creep in, mosquitoes start to slow down and become lethargic. When temperatures fall below 50 degrees they cease to function altogether and must hibernate or die.

What Do Mosquitoes Do in the Winter?

Mosquitoes have several different methods of surviving the winter. Some kinds of mosquitoes overwinter as adult females. After they mate in the fall, they find winter hiding places along frozen river banks, animal burrows, and hollow logs. 

Some mosquitoes lay hardy eggs before they die that can hibernate as embryos over the winter. In the spring, warm temperatures trigger them to hatch.

There are mosquitoes that can overwinter in the larval stage, buried in mud. In the spring, they wake up and continue to feed and develop into adults.

Once they reach the adult stage, males and females part ways. Male mosquitoes, to feed on nectar from flowers and blossoms, and female mosquitoes to hunt down mammalian blood. Female mosquitoes require the proteins found in our blood to produce her eggs. After she has finished feeding, she finds a nice wet place to deposit her eggs and in less than a week a new generation of mosquitoes will be swarming around your yard. 

Mosquito Prevention in Winter

As winter temperatures approach, mosquitoes are starting to slow down. They aren’t gone, they are just hibernating. When spring comes, these eggs, larvae, and hibernating females will emerge and start chasing you out of your yard again. By employing the mosquito control tips and tricks you have learned throughout the year, you can prevent these hibernating pests from ruining your spring.

Remove Standing Water

This can be done anytime during the winter but it must be done before spring. Mosquito eggs and larvae can survive in frozen water in a sort of suspended animation. Go around your property and check items for frozen water and get rid of it. This can be flowerpots, birdbaths, patio furniture, ditches, gutters, tire swings, grill covers, and other objects that can retain water.

Keep Your Water Features Clean

Water features should be drained in the winter. Not only to prevent damage but to also prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs in them before the water freezes. Even if you drain your water features, small amounts of water can remain. A female mosquito only needs a teaspoon of water to lay her eggs.

Call The Mosquito Control Experts

You might not have control over biting insects in parks and other recreational areas but you do have control in your own yard. Before mosquitos start giving you and your family problems, call the experts at Buzz Off Mosquito Control Solutions. We have a variety of pest control services including mosquito, fly, and flea & tick control services. We offer our mosquito control service to both residential and commercial customers.

Give us a call at (715) 281-3289 or send us a short message here. Don’t forget to follow our monthly blog for the best mosquito control tips in Wisconsin.