Mosquitoes are the uninvited guests that everyone loves to hate during the summer months. But when the temperature drops and winter rolls in, they seem to vanish. Have you ever wondered, “Where do mosquitoes go in the winter?” Learning about their seasonal habits can help you better prepare your home and yard to better keep them at bay year-round. At PestForce, we specialize in keeping pests like mosquitoes under control with our quarterly pest control plans.
Mosquitoes and Cold Weather
Mosquitoes are cold-blooded insects, which means they can’t regulate their body temperature. When the temperature drops below 50°F, mosquitoes become sluggish and unable to function. But instead of disappearing altogether, mosquitoes have a variety of survival strategies depending on the species.
3 Survival Strategies for Mosquitoes in Winter
- Hibernation
- Some mosquito species survive the winter by going into a type of insect hibernation. Female mosquitoes will find sheltered spots like hollow logs, burrows, or even basements to ride out the cold months. During their hibernation, they conserve energy and don’t produce more eggs until warmer weather returns.
- Stay in Water
- Certain mosquito species will spend the winter in their larval or pupal stages. These immature mosquitoes stay dormant in frozen or cold water while they wait for the temperature to get warm again before they continue to develop into full-grown pests.
- Hide Indoors
- While most mosquitoes prefer the outdoors, some species might sneak into your home looking for warmth. These mosquitoes can remain active in the winter, especially in heated environments like basements, garages, or sheds.
Why Mosquito Control Matters in Winter
Just because you don’t see mosquitoes buzzing around doesn’t mean they’re gone for good. Winter is an excellent time to take preventive measures to reduce mosquito populations around your home and property before they come roaring back in the spring. By targeting dormant mosquitoes and their breeding grounds during the winter months, you can put a dent in their numbers during peak mosquito season next summer. At PestForce, our pest control plans include winter treatments to help you stay ahead of mosquito infestations.
5 Tips for Reducing Mosquito Populations Year-Round
Check out these 5 tips to help reduce the mosquito population around your home and property:
- Get Rid of Standing Water
- Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, so it’s important to empty out or cover items like birdbaths, buckets, and unused flowerpots. Even small amounts of water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Clean Your Home’s Gutters
- Clogged gutters can trap water, which creates a perfect spot for mosquito eggs to hatch. Cleaning your gutters regularly helps prevent this problem and protects your home from other pests as well.
- Maintain Your Yard All Year Long
- Overgrown grass, untrimmed bushes, and leaf piles offer mosquitoes the shady spots they love. Keeping your yard tidy during winter can limit their hiding places.
- Add Mosquito-Repellent Plants to Your Yard
- Certain plants, like citronella, lavender, and marigolds, help to naturally repel mosquitoes and other pests. Adding these to your landscaping can help keep mosquito populations in check while beautifying your yard.
- Schedule Regular Pest Control
- Professional pest control services like what we offer at PestForce are the most effective way to keep mosquitoes at bay. With our quarterly subscription plan, we’ll treat your property year-round to ensure mosquitoes don’t stand a chance.
PestForce: Your Partner in Mosquito Control
At PestForce, we know that dealing with pests like mosquitoes is about more than just comfort—it’s about protecting your family’s health. Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying; they’re also vectors for dangerous diseases like West Nile virus and malaria. With our residential pest control subscription plan, we’ll provide comprehensive mosquito control as part of our seasonal treatments to keep your property pest-free. Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your time outdoors when the weather warms up. Stay proactive with PestForce’s quarterly pest control services, and we’ll help you keep mosquitoes and other pests under control, no matter the season. Call or text us at 678-243-0731 to schedule your service today!