How Can Mosquitoes Be Out in Winter?
WouterDuring winter, mosquitoes can survive in a variety of ways. Some species hibernate in cold weather, while others lay eggs and live out the season. Some even hatch in the spring. While there are some exceptions, most adult mosquitoes die off when the weather starts to get cold.
Some of the mosquitoes that hibernate in the winter include the Culex pipiens, an insect that transmits the West Nile virus. It mates in the fall and holds onto its immature eggs through the winter. It then comes out of its hibernation in the spring to begin developing its eggs.
Some female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. They may also seek out hollow logs or animal burrows. These are all places where the water is warm enough to stay moist.
The females of some other species, such as Aedes aegypti, prefer to lay their eggs in containers or in a stagnant water source. This allows the eggs to survive in the dry cold weather, and they can lay hundreds of them at a time.
The eggs of last generation females are laid in the spring, when the water begins to warm up. They then hatch, but it will take several weeks before the larvae can resume their life cycle.
Some other mosquitoes stay active in the spring and summer. They may breed in your yard or in the attic of your home. It is important to wipe down any containers that contain water, or empty them.
