Can Mosquitoes Live in the Cold?
Whether you live in a cold climate or not, you may wonder if mosquitoes live in the cold. Although there are mosquitoes that die during the colder months, many species do not. Whether you live in the South or the North, mosquitoes are a problem. Fortunately, you can get rid of mosquitoes using a variety of pest control methods. The best way to ensure that your home stays mosquito-free is to hire a professional pest control company.
When winter arrives, most adult mosquitoes die off. Some species hibernate while others lay eggs. Some adult mosquitoes will come out of hibernation when the weather warms up. In fact, some species are even able to survive freezing temperatures.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene has published a paper on how mosquitoes survive winter. The research found that mosquitoes have evolved to survive cold weather.
Female mosquitoes lay eggs before hibernating, and some of those eggs survive long enough to hatch. They may lay in water-holding objects such as hollow logs and animal burrows. Some mosquitoes are even able to lay eggs in ice-covered waters.
Female mosquitoes lay eggs during the spring and summer and enter diapause during the colder months. This hibernation suspends their development and allows them to store nutrients.
The presence of water is also known to trigger the mosquitoes to enter diapause. This is more likely to happen in the pupae than in the eggs. When the weather warms up, mosquitoes awaken and begin to feed.