Are Mosquitoes Active in the Winter?

In Vermont, our cold winters leave little room for pest activity. There is one pest in particular, however, that is known to linger around—even in the heart of winter. That pest is none other than the mosquito! In general, mosquitoes will disappear when the temperature dips below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In our region, that comes pretty early in the fall. Mosquitoes we see in the winter are typically female mosquitoes, who are in a state of hibernation known as diapause.

Here at Vermont Pest Control, we know how frustrating mosquitoes can be in our region year-round. Read on to learn more about winter mosquito activity, and whether you should be worried about bites this time of year.

Do Mosquitoes Survive in the Winter?

In spring and summertime, mosquitoes are just a given when you spend time outdoors. This is due to the fact that mosquitoes prefer temperatures in the 80s or more. Needless to say, it can be rather startling to come across these pests in the wintertime. Most male mosquitoes will die off when, as mentioned previously, temperatures begin to dip. Even when it begins to get colder, however, female mosquitoes can go into a state similar to hibernation called diapause. In Vermont, the only mosquitoes you’ll likely see in the winter are the ones in this state—meaning you don’t have to worry about being bitten this time of year!

How to Prevent Mosquitoes in the Coming Months

With mosquitoes not active right now, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan ahead and prevent the hoards that will be around in just a few months. Some of the best mosquito prevention tactics you can do yourself in the next couple of months include the following.

1. Look for mosquitoes in diapause. Female mosquitoes may look to wait out the winter in your backyard if she lays her eggs nearby. Make sure to inspect your yard and get rid of debris, old tires, or tree trunks that could harbor these insects.
2. Get rid of standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, even before wintertime. Remove, overturn, or cover any tires, buckets, bird baths, flower pots, and other things that contain standing water.
3. Cut back grass and vegetation. Keep your grass mowed and take proper care of your yard to avoid mosquitoes harboring in dense brush.
4. Try out natural mosquito repellents. While not always effective, planting rosemary, mint, and lavender in your garden could make for a natural mosquito repellent.
5. Get in touch with your local experts. Your best chance of not dealing with mosquitoes year-round is by teaming up with an expert. Professional-grade repellents can help keep mosquitoes away for good!

Vermont Mosquito Control Experts

No matter what time of the year it is, the team at Vermont Pest Control is committed to keeping you safe from all types of pests, especially mosquitoes. We will work with you to implement the best mosquito treatments to keep you and your family mosquito-free. Contact us today to get started!