Why The Cold Weather Won’t Mean Fewer Mosquitoes

I have heard a lot of people say the one good thing about the extremely cold weather we have had in Acadiana this winter is that it will quell the mosquito population in the summer. While that seems like a logical conclusion mosquitoes tend to defy logic. While cold weather can slow down and decrease the pest population it has to come at the right time of year for noticeable changes to occur.

Mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in sheltered areas and the adults that are flying around during the winter months like to hole up in hollowed out trees, brush piles and even sewers and storm drains. This gives the little blood suckers some protection from the cold. Other pests that remain active during the cold weather months do suffer casualties as the result of freezing temperatures but mosquitoes seem to know how to hide.

The best bet that we can hope for in stunting the mosquito population for later in the year is to have a nice warm up and then a really strong cold snap. The warm weather will draw the mosquitoes out and get them active. It is when they are not in their sheltered environment that the freezing temperatures can actually take their toll.

Want proof that mosquitoes can survive the cold? If you've ever been to Alaska or Maine you will find some of the most prolific populations of mosquitoes anywhere. Our best bet to have an itch free summer is to get a little springtime weather followed by a nice freeze. That will help put the little bloodsuckers to sleep for good.