What Really Happens To Mosquitoes During Winter?

May 2024 ยท 1 minute read

They don't fly south for the winter, that's for sure. Exactly how different mosquito breeds cope with winter weather depends on the species, but most enter into some form of winter hibernation. According to MegaCatch.com, the Aedes aegypti (the mosquito breed responsible for diseases like Zika, dengue and Yellow Fever) hibernate in their larval phase. Once the temperatures start to dip, Aedes mosquitoes will quickly deposit their eggs in a pool of standing water where they sit in a state of suspended animation, awaiting the return of the summer heat.

All mosquitoes are cold-blooded little pests (shocker), and they can't tolerate temperatures much lower than 50 degrees for any sustained period of time. Any significant cold snap will send them flying for the breeding pools. For this reason, it's a good idea to maintain solid mosquito hygiene even in the winter months. Always empty any pools of standing water around your home, and be specifically wary of containers like cisterns, bird baths and tires. Aedes only need an inch of standing water to lay their eggs, and a mother can deposit her entire clutch in a pool as small as a bottle cap.

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