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The Life Cycle of Mosquitoes in Winter

 

Have you ever wondered what happens to mosquitoes in the winter? Well, despite the rumors, they don’t all vacation in Florida during the coldest months of the year. Since these tiny creatures are cold-blooded and most active when temperatures are around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, they become lethargic when temps drop to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. At 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below, mosquitoes cannot function. So, if they’re not heading south, do mosquitoes die in the winter? Some do, but not all, which raises questions like how do mosquitoes survive the winter and where do mosquitoes go during winter? The answers depend on the complexity of the mosquito life cycle and how it adapts to winter weather.

So, why is any of this important? Well, understanding what happens to mosquitoes in winter can actually help protect you and your family from itchy mosquito bites and the diseases they transmit all year long. Sure, we have a thing for bugs, but scientists, professional pest control experts, and residents can all benefit from understanding our pesky, bloodsucking foe, the mosquito. If we’ve piqued your interest, read on to learn what happens to mosquitoes in the wintertime.

Understanding the Mosquito Life Cycle

A mosquito’s life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Every stage of the mosquito’s life is integral to providing an ongoing population of mosquitoes. Mosquito control efforts seek to break this life cycle while scientists try to exploit it to defeat these disease-carrying pests. Although the mosquito life cycle always progresses through all four stages, each stage varies greatly in length, depending upon the ambient temperatures of its surroundings.

How Temperature Affects the Life Cycle of Mosquitoes

Because mosquitoes are most active in warm weather (they like it hot), their life cycle completes most quickly in the spring and summer months. Many species move from egg to biting adult in just 14 days at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature increase of 10 degrees (to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) shortens this cycle to just 10 days. It is not just the speed of the life cycle that is affected by temperature, but also the quality and success. Higher temperatures within the mosquito’s comfort range produce more eggs that hatch into larger larvae that grow into bigger adults (yikes!). But wait! There’s more. Most discouraging, studies find that mosquitoes born and raised in warmer temperatures are also more resistant to certain insecticides. Not great news for those of us who enjoy spending summer days outdoors.

However, when the temperatures drop, many mosquito species enter a state of extreme torpor, like hibernation. This is why many people ask, “do mosquitoes die in the winter?” Although it may seem like they have disappeared forever, rumors of their death are greatly exaggerated. What happens to mosquitoes in the winter is not the end for many buzzing biters, but rather, I’ll catch up with you at the summer BBQ.

In reality, they are indulging in their version of hibernation. This mosquito “dormancy” is called diapause. Diapause enables mosquitoes and the diseases they carry to survive the winter (how did we get so lucky). Some mosquito species enter diapause as adults. The adult females mate in the fall; then, they look for animal burrows or hollow logs to survive the cold winter in a diapause state. Other species lay winter-hardy eggs that can survive freezing temperatures to hatch in the spring (more on this below).

Mosquito Eggs in Winter

As mentioned, certain mosquito species, like those in the genus Aedes, lay winter-hardy eggs that can survive sub-freezing temperatures. These winter-proof mosquito eggs do not die in winter because they have a natural antifreeze that keeps them from freezing completely. They are typically submerged under the ice, where they remain dormant for months until warmer spring weather returns. When the weather warms, it triggers the hatching, and these hungry larvae emerge ready to create havoc for man and beast.

Mosquito Larvae in Winter

Winter-hardy mosquito eggs are one-way mosquitoes remain in diapause until the weather warms. But some mosquito varieties also produce winter-hardy larvae that can slow their metabolism and remain dormant for winter. Active mosquito larvae typically feed on bacteria, microorganisms, and detritus in the water they inhabit. But those in diapause fast until they awaken in spring, which means they are going to emerge hungry and ready to feed.

Mosquito Pupae in Winter

At every stage of their life cycle, mosquitoes are highly sensitive to temperature. Adult females alter the time of their egg-laying based on warming and cooling temps. Winter-hardy eggs and larvae do not develop further while in diapause. Now for some good news. Mosquito pupae cannot survive freezing temperatures, so the other stages adjust their timing to avoid pupating during winter.

Mosquito Adults in Winter

Okay, it’s true. Some (not all) mosquitoes do spend their winter in places like Florida and Arizona. For those adults evolved to survive winter in colder climates, they enter diapause and shut down their metabolism to wait out the cold. Adult females can survive for months in this state, snug in warm animal burrows or protected in hollow logs or similar shelters. This is how mosquitoes survive winter if they don’t head south or west to avoid the cold.

Once the warmer weather of spring arrives, the cold-hardy eggs hatch and dormant adults wake up to feed and breed. This is about all they do during this period. It’s all about survival and making up for lost time at this point. This is why it’s so important to take a proactive approach to mosquito control around your property before the warm weather arrives.

How To Control Mosquitoes in Winter

Although mosquitoes aren’t active in winter, mosquito control can be valuable in the colder months. Eliminating dormant eggs and larvae or killing fertilized adult females in diapause can give you a jump on controlling the biting population in spring and summer. You can see to it that your mosquitoes do not survive the winter. This is the time to begin yard care routines that will interrupt the mosquito life cycle.

Knowing where mosquitoes are likely to spend the winter months hibernating will make it easier to reduce their numbers come spring. Dormant adult female mosquitoes hide in piled leaves, animal burrows, garbage, yard debris, fallen logs, stacked firewood, and tree trunks. So, keep your yard cleaned up and freer of debris to deny them shelter or destroy the slumbering biters. Also, clear all locations on your property that collect and hold standing water. An adult female mosquito can lay 100-200 eggs in just a bottle cap of water! Empty catch trays and wheelbarrows, clear the gutters and eliminate all places where melting snow and ice collect. Continue this throughout the winter to dispose of hibernating eggs and larvae. Spring through summer, keeping these places dry prevents adults from laying their eggs there.

Mosquito Joe Controls Mosquitoes in Winter and Year Round

At Mosquito Joe, our goal is to help you enjoy your outdoor spaces without biting pests. For us, it’s not just about providing pest control services but also arming you with the knowledge that empowers you to protect yourself and your family. Prevention is a critical piece of effective pest management, so you can count on us to keep you informed about what happens to mosquitoes in winter and similar topics.

When you need us, our team of experienced pros is ready to provide the expert services that thousands of homeowners and businesses rely on. We have Mosquito Joe locations across the country. Each is staffed by experts who are knowledgeable about how to effectively deal with the specific critters in their area. Our Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and the Mosquito Joe® Satisfaction Guarantee back all our work and ensure your satisfaction. So, request a quote at the top of this page or give us a call. Let’s make the outdoors fun again!

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Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP)

 

At Mosquito Joe, we care about making your outdoor spaces something to be enjoyed. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, having fun with the kids, or playing a game of fetch with Fido, outdoor pests such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas should be the least of your concerns. To show our commitment to improving the lives of our customers, we’re excited to announce our partnership with the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program.  Established by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1994, the program seeks to decrease the amount of risks associated with pest management in areas where people live, work and play. 

This partnership provides an opportunity to showcase the ways that Mosquito Joe seeks to protect the communities we serve. Keep reading to see some of the initiatives Mosquito Joe has in place!

Integrated Pest Management

The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program encourages members to use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to find innovative solutions to common pest management challenges. This approach to pest management takes into consideration the life cycle of pests as well as the environment. Mosquitoes go through four life stages; egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. Once fully matured, mosquitoes are able to breed and wreak havoc. While male mosquitoes can live up to 10 days, female mosquitoes can live as long as 6 weeks. In addition to eliminating mosquitoes on contact, our treatment schedules interrupt the life cycle of mosquito populations which make treatments more effective. We also offer an all-natural treatment that aligns with the goals of Integrated Pest Management. Applied every 14 days rather than 21, this treatment option is ideal for those that seek an alternative to synthetic products.  

Customer Education

A major aspect of our partnership with PESP is educating customers on the importance of mosquito, tick and flea control. While these pests are known as common nuisances, they can also pose a number of health risks. Vector-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease are frequently reported throughout the summer and fall months. Mosquito Joe makes customer education a top priority to ensure the communities we serve are made aware of reported cases of vector-borne illness in their local area. Sharing tips on how to maintain an itch-free backyard provides another level of protection for yourself, your family and your pets!

In addition to regularly sharing educational information, Mosquito Joe works to raise awareness about the prevalence of vector-borne illnesses abroad. Each year we partner with the Nothing but Nets foundation to provide treated bed nets to families in regions where malaria is prevalent such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. We’re proud to announce that Mosquito Joe has been able to raise over $67,000 and contribute over 6,700 bed nets to families in need. 

Mosquito Joe’s partnership with the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program demonstrates the pride we take in not only making outside fun again, but in working to improve the communities we serve. With our satisfaction guarantee, Mosquito Joe aims to provide an itch-free environment for our customers. Click here to find a Mosquito Joe location in your area and get on the schedule today!

For more information on the PESP program, click here to visit the official website.

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Mosquito Myths and Facts

At Mosquito Joe, we know how annoying mosquitoes can be, especially when trying to enjoy your backyard with your friends and family. Not only do their bites cause terrible itchiness and irritation, but these pests can also carry diseases. Because mosquitoes are such an annoyance, there have been many theories to explain their behavior, tips and tricks to keep them away and suggested home remedies. To help decipher facts from fiction, Mosquito Joe is here to debunk those myths, so you have all of the important facts about these pests.

MYTH: BOTH MALES AND FEMALES BITE.

Only female mosquitoes bite, while male mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices. Female mosquitoes use the protein from the blood she takes from humans and other animals to develop her eggs.

FACT: ONE MOSQUITO CAN LAY THOUSANDS OF EGGS.

A single female can lay deposits of up to 300 eggs at a time on the water surface. One mosquito can also lay eggs three to four times during their lifetime before dying. That means that a single female mosquito can lay up to 1,200 eggs, all in your backyard in as little as a bottlecap of water.

MYTH: THE MOSQUITO DIES AFTER BITING A HUMAN.

Unlike some species of bees, mosquitoes do not die after biting a human. In fact, some species are known to bite multiple times throughout the night until they are full. 

For example, when a honey bee strikes, the barb gets stuck in the person or animal being stung, the stinger gets ripped out and the bee dies instantly. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, pierce the skin with a proboscis, or mouthpiece. When the mosquito is done feeding, it doesn’t leave the proboscis behind, so it flies away full and unharmed.

FACT: CERTAIN BLOOD TYPES CAN ATTRACT MORE MOSQUITOES.

Research has found that people with Type O blood are twice as attractive to mosquitoes than those with Type A blood. Those with Type B fall in the middle. On top of that, 85% of people produce a secretion that signals what blood type they are. So, if you are Type O and a secretor, mosquitoes probably think you’re pretty tasty. You can learn more about why you are a magnet for mosquitoes here.

MYTH: EATING CERTAIN FOODS CAN REPEL MOSQUITOES NATURALLY.

There are certain fragrances you can apply to your skin, such as lavender and peppermint essential oils to deter mosquitoes from biting you. However, there is no scientific evidence showing that eating certain foods will help naturally repel mosquitoes. 

On the other hand, researchers found that mosquitoes land on beer drinkers significantly more than their non-beer drinking counterparts. Mosquito Joe wants you to have a good time – that’s why we get rid of the buzz so you can enjoy yours.

FACT: MOSQUITOES ARE CONSIDERED THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL ON THE PLANET.

While sharks only cause 10 deaths per year, mosquitoes cause 750,000 deaths a year. Mosquitoes kill by carrying a host of deadly diseases, such as malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever and dengue fever. More than half of all mosquito-related deaths can be attributed to malaria, and most of these cases originate in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue fever is another mosquito-borne illness that is common in Asian and Latin American countries.

You can help put an end to malaria by donating to our partner, Nothing But Nets. For every $10 donated, two-bed nets will be donated to areas in need of protection from this life-threatening disease.

MYTH: BUG ZAPPERS EFFECTIVELY CONTROL MOSQUITOES.

Bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and water vapor in the breath of mammals, not ultraviolet light. In fact, research shows that yards with bug zappers had higher numbers of female mosquitoes than those without bug zappers. This is because the bug zapper actually kills insects that eat mosquitoes.

FACT: MOSQUITO JOE RIDS YOUR YARD OF MOSQUITOES SO YOU CAN ENJOY OUTSIDE AGAIN.

Mosquito Joe offers unique solutions to make outside fun again – without the nuisance of pesky mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Our certified and trained technicians visit your property to provide a barrier treatment, delivering effective outdoor pest control treatments to make your yard itch-free.

Tired of battling mosquitoes in your backyard? No contracts are required and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Give us a call at 855-ASK-A-JOE for more information or request a FREE quote at mosquitojoe.com.

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Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites

Some of the most exciting moments of the summer occur outdoors. Between sports, backyard barbecues, and sunbathing, there’s never a shortage of things to do! One of the most annoying things about enjoying the outdoors are mosquito bites. Who wants to spend the first few innings of their baseball game swatting? And nothing ruins an outdoor wedding like taking your eyes away from the bride and groom to relieve the itch from a bite. We know how awful mosquito bites can be, so here’s some information on how you and your family can ditch the itch this summer.

Why do mosquito bites itch so much?

Mosquito bites appear when a female mosquito draws blood from a host. (Fun fact: Only female mosquitoes bite!) These bites can appear as small read bumps on the skin or as larger swollen areas. When mosquitoes draw blood, a protein is released into the blood system, causing general irritation of the skin and of course, itching.

We all know the automatic reaction to a mosquito bite is to scratch, however, this can lead to further irritation as scratching can damage the skin and lead to infection. So, what can you do? Here are some DIY remedies you can use:

One of the simplest ways to alleviate the itch of a mosquito bite is to apply a cold compress to the affected area. A small bag of ice can help reduce swelling and redness as well as temporarily soothe any itching. If you don’t have ice, a bag of frozen peas is a great alternative. Don’t worry, we’re not judging!

If you frequently get sunburned, you likely have the next ingredient in your cabinet. Aloe vera is a great, natural anti-septic that can help ease the pain of mosquito bites. You can use aloe vera gel which is available in most supermarkets or, you can get an aloe vera plant and scoop out the fresh gel. Another method is to remove the gel from the plant, blend until it reaches a smooth consistency, pour into an ice tray, and freeze. This makes for an easy application with less mess and a satisfying cooling sensation.

Another remedy that you may have at home is honey. While it’s most famous for being a natural sweetener, honey also has a number of antibiotic properties that can help combat irritation from mosquito bites. Using this ingredient, you can get rid of the itch fast and protect the area from infection.

Typically used in skincare, witch hazel is another household item that can be beneficial for fighting the itch of mosquito bites. Because it is an astringent, witch hazel helps lessen the irritation at the location of the bite.

Using essential oils to treat mosquito bites is a trendier solution. Natural oils such as lavender and tea tree oil help take out the sting and unpleasantness of mosquito bites, not to mention the added benefit of making you smell amazing. Be mindful when using essential oils, as a little goes a long way! You only need a drop or two diluted with a carrier oil (such as jojoba or coconut) or water to do the trick. Using too much can result in further skin irritation. To make this solution a little more convenient, you can create your own essential oil roller!

The most common ways to combat mosquito bites are applying common over-the-counter items such as hydrocortisone or calamine lotion. Both of these medicated creams help to relieve itchiness on contact and provide relief almost instantly.

The best way to protect yourself from mosquito bites is to make sure that your outdoor spaces have been treated by Mosquito Joe! Don’t let mosquito bites ruin your summer. Call Mosquito Joe today to ensure that you can enjoy your backyard without worrying about bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.

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Spring is weeks away, call us and pre-pay!

The days of warmer weather and blooming flowers are right around the corner…and so are mosquitoes, ticks and fleas.  As the temperature begins to rise, pest activity will too. Did you know that mosquitoes, ticks and fleas become active once the temperature reaches and stays above 50 degrees consistently? Spring into action by making sure you are prepared to enjoy your outdoor space as soon as possible!

Being able to sit outside and enjoy your outdoor space, instead of swatting at those pesky mosquitoes, is one of the great reasons to give your local Mosquito Joe a call.  Another exciting reason is the opportunity to pre-pay for the entire season!

What are the benefits of pre-paying?

  • Save 10% on mosquito, tick and flea control so your family can enjoy being outside again.
  • You can relax during the summer months without worrying about ongoing pest control payments.
  • Enjoy an itch-free yard all summer long. A night on your back porch without any mosquito bites? Yes, please!
  • Get the kids (and pets) outside – who needs a babysitter with an itch-free yard?

To take advantage of this great offer, request a quote to the right or give us a call at 855-ASK-A-JOE!

New here? No problem! We offer a wide range of services that will keep you protected all season long. Our barrier treatment protects you and your family from mosquitoes, ticks and fleas for 21 days after application. Using a backpack sprayer designed for precise application, an expertly trained and licensed technician targets shrubs and bushes with a barrier spray that outdoor pests on contact. The solution bonds to foliage, where it acts as a repellent for weeks to come. Within 30 minutes of treatment, your yard is ready for family and pets to come out and play!

As an alternative to our longer-lasting synthetic treatment, Mosquito Joe offers an all-natural pest control solution.  Our all-natural solution repels mosquitoes, ticks and fleas immediately but has less adhesive properties than our synthetic treatment.  Because of this, we require spraying on a 14-day cycle to ensure adequate protection.

Our technicians are trained pest control experts dedicated to one thing: getting rid of mosquitoes, ticks and fleas so you can enjoy being outside again.  We do not require customers to sign contracts, which gives you the flexibility you need to fully enjoy your outdoor space.

And if you’re a returning customer, we’re glad to have you back! Thank you for an amazing 2018 and letting us make outside fun again for you and your family. If you have any questions about the pre-pay program, just give us a call and we’d be happy to get you on the path to an itch-free 2019!

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Share the Mojo

Want even more MoJo? Refer a friend and get a $25 credit! Our Share the MoJo program allows you to refer up to 20 friends a year, which could get you $500 in account credits. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and text, call or post on their Facebook and share this one-of-a-kind deal.  Visit our dedicated website, SharetheMoJo.com, so you and your friends can start saving today!

At Mosquito Joe, we take our job of keeping your yard itch-free seriously.  With our licensed technicians and a passion for making outside fun again, our job is not done until you and your family are happy. Save yourself some bucks and a lot of bug bites, give us a call today to kick-start your spring with pre-pay!

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