I am often asked, “How does the weather change mosquito behavior?”
As always when I am asked a question, I share what I have been taught and researched.
Since mosquitoes are cold-blooded, they basically shut down when temperatures are less than 10 degrees °C (50 degrees °F). Although it might seem like they’ve all disappeared, they do have strategies to survive cold weather.
Some mosquitoes go dormant in Winter and hibernate, finding holes to wait in for warmer weather. Some female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water in the Fall, which lie dormant and eventually freeze. The frozen larvae keep until the weather warms up… at which point they hatch and wreak havoc all over again.
While it’s well known that mosquitoes love warm climates. Most people do not realize that mosquitoes are active once temperatures are consistently above 10 degrees °C, but activity tends to jump when it’s 26 degrees °C and up.
Unfortunately, the new arrival to Northern California is the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. They bite and spread infection all year long at any time of the day or night, 24/7, 365, indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy.
Like our native mosquitoes, Aedes Aegypti are also extra active at dusk and dawn. Warm evening temperatures allow mosquitoes to thrive.
Warm weather also means a greater chance of infection. Research has shown that for mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus, the virus can be amplified in warmer weather. Same goes for Zika mosquitoes: the warmer it gets, the more efficiently they transmit the virus.
That’s because warmer air incubates viruses faster in mosquitoes, which gives them more time to spread them. Combine that with the fact that warmer temperatures make them hungrier for blood meals, and you’ve got a recipe for a potential outbreak.
It can, however, get too hot and dry for mosquitoes. In some areas that are too hot, mosquitoes will be less active. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are used to much more intense heat than we get here in Northern California.
Take Back Your Yard from Mosquitoes
The next question that I am usually ask is, “How do I take back our yard from mosquitos?”
I quote Saint Augustine often when he said, “You cannot stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from making a nest in your hair.” There are several things that can be done to assist in the control of mosquito populations around your property. Be proactive, keep your rain gutters and yard clear of debris so that standing water does not accumulate. Additionally, keep grass and vegetation trimmed and well maintained. Walk through your yard and drain, dump out or remove any accumulated water on yard decorations, wheel barrels, buckets, spare tires keeping in mind that the female Aedes Aegypti mosquito can lay her eggs in a small water bottle cap.
Being proactive and maintaining your property are the first two steps of three to control the mosquito populations around your property. To assist in controlling the blooms of new arriving mosquitoes from the neighboring areas and wilderness pockets. Also, I would be amiss if I did not mention the harborage and breeding areas that you cannot see. Like the puddle of water under your grass from when you, your pet or wild critter walked across it in the winter when the soil was wet and pliable making a divot that formed a small puddle.
Related links: Complete Residential Service Programs | Commercial Pest Control Needs
Roseville Mosquito Control | Mosquito Exterminator
The third step is to contact Rocklin Pest Control. We are Pest Management Professionals and Mosquito Exterminators based in Roseville, CA. We are Experts in controlling mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests around your property.
We can visit your property every 21 to 30 days, to maintain eco-friendly devises and provide an eco-friendly barrier protection throughout your property.
If you need help with mosquitoes or any other pests contact us at RocklinPestControl.com or pick up the phone and dial (916) 884-6114 today.
Rich Sartain – GM – Rocklin Pest Control