Why Do Mosquitoes Come Out in Cold Weather?

During the cold weather months, many insects, including mosquitoes, hibernate. However, some species are able to survive the cold and come out of their hibernation in the spring. Several mosquito species have even adapted to colder climates. Some even have the capability to raise their glycerol levels in their bodies to help them deal with the cold.

During the cold season, the female mosquito will burrow into a safe spot and lay an egg. The eggs will eventually hatch and the female will then search for a blood meal.

Mosquitoes can live for years in an egg. Some mosquitoes even hibernate as larvae. The eggs and larvae can survive cold weather for months before hatching in the spring. Some species can even survive ice and snow.

A study performed at the Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology has found that some mosquitoes lay eggs that can survive up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene published a paper in 2016 that discussed this discovery.

When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, mosquitoes enter a state of diapause, a term for suspending development. This period is vital to the survival of certain mosquito species during the winter months.

In fact, this is the reason that mosquitoes are able to survive the cold and come back when the weather warms. It is also a good time to avoid mosquitoes. Some mosquitoes can be extremely aggressive, and their bite can be very unpleasant. Besides, they can spread viruses.

Continue reading:

Can White Vinegar Kill Mosquitoes? How Do Mosquitoes Remember You? How to Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes Can Mosquitoes Pass Diseases? What Fabrics Can Mosquitoes Not Bite Through? How Long Do Mosquitoes Live Without Blood? How to Prevent Flystrike From Happening to Your Guinea Pigs Jaundice and Mosquitoes