When Do Mosquitoes Go Away?
WouterDuring the winter months, mosquitoes go into hibernation. They rest in damp, sheltered places such as old tires, tires in storage boxes, unused yard equipment and other sheltered items that are not exposed to the elements.
When the weather warms up, female mosquitoes begin laying eggs. They lay their eggs in damp places, such as standing water. They will lay up to 300 eggs in this environment. The larvae will die if the weather becomes too cold.
The eggs will hatch in two days. After the females have hatched, they will enter a dormant stage known as diapause. This shuts down nearly all of the insect’s processes. When the weather begins to warm, they will be ready to leave diapause and return to activity.
The male mosquitoes do not make it through the winter. They die after mating practices. The females live for a year. They mate in the fall and hold on to the immature eggs until spring.
In the northern hemisphere, peak mosquito season typically occurs in late May. However, the seasons have been shifting due to global warming. Since mid-July, the number of mosquitoes has slowed down. This means that most areas in North America are safe from mosquitoes during the winter.
Although most species of mosquitoes are active during the day, some are more active at night. They feed on pollen, which is a main source of food for the insect. They also use light to navigate.
