At What Temperature Do Mosquitoes Die? Know About Insect-Free Time

Mosquitoes are annoying during warm weather but everything changes when the temperature drops. Read to find out more about insect-free time.
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Phyllis McMahon
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Last updated: August 18, 2023
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Whenever you’re about to head out, it might be a hassle always to spray your clothes with a repellant and take other measures to keep the mosquitoes away. But, if you don’t want to worry about mosquitoes year-round, you might wonder: “at what temperature do mosquitoes die?” Let’s find out.

At What Temperature Do Mosquitoes Die?

If you’re wondering: “at what temperature do mosquitoes die?” you probably have a lot of them around you.

Mosquitoes die or become dormant at a temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. These insects prefer to stay at places at 80 degrees because of the temperature at which they thrive. When the temperatures go below 60 degrees, mosquitoes become lethargic.

Male mosquitoes have a short lifespan Trusted Source Mosquito Life Cycle Mosquito Life Cycle- www.baycounty-mi.gov of a week, while female mosquitoes live longer and need to survive winter. Without consuming your blood or water, the biological processes of female mosquitoes can slow down for a couple of months. But, once the temperature climbs back up, they become hungry and have more energy.

How Do Cold Temperatures Affect Mosquitoes?

At What Temperature Do Mosquitoes Die? Know About Insect-Free Time
When the temperature outside drops, so does the body temperature of mosquitoes. As their body temperature decreases, they become less active and their metabolism slows down.

Low temperatures will cause the mosquitoes to slow down whenever the weather is cold. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded creatures, so they cannot regulate their internal temperature. These insects take the temperature of whatever the outside temperature level is.

Due to this, whenever the weather is cold, they also become cold, and this causes them to die off. Once the room or outside temperature reaches 50 degrees, the mosquito will become too cold and die. During winter, female mosquitoes hibernate, although some will die as the weather becomes colder. However, the eggs they have laid don’t die during cold weather and will hatch once it’s warm.

Where Do Mosquitoes Go in Winter?

While you know what temperature mosquitoes die at, you might be wondering where they go once it lowers.

During winter months, mosquitoes go into hiding. They hide in animal caves, tree hollows, basements, garages, and structures around your home. They also hide in cracks and crevices of bushland environments.

The mosquitoes stay in these hiding places while waiting for warmer weather. So, there’s no guarantee that the mosquitoes will die when the weather is cold as long as they have places to hibernate.

These mosquitoes only live for a few weeks during the summer, but resting in winter allows them to survive for more months. You can also find mosquitoes in frozen bodies of water, from buckets of water in your backyard to the freezing wetland.

What Can You Do When Winter Is Not Coming Yet?

During the winter months, you can get rid of mosquitoes by getting rid of stagnant water and other mosquito-breeding containers. You should also look for surfaces around your house that hold water, as these attract mosquitoes. Get rid of the currently hibernating eggs, too, because they can hatch once the temperature increases. Look out for other places where mosquitoes live Trusted Source Where Mosquitoes Live | Mosquitoes | CDC Mosquitoes live near people, in forests, marshes, and other habitats. Experts trap mosquitoes and collect eggs to monitor them. www.cdc.gov and clean those areas.

Mosquitoes are more active during the summer. You can’t wait for mosquitoes to die off during the winter months, so you need ways to get rid of them before cold weather comes to prevent mosquito bites Trusted Source Mosquito Bites: Symptoms, Diseases, and Treatments Mosquito bites are round, usually puffy, and severely itchy. Learn about which diseases mosquitos can transmit and how to treat and prevent bites. www.healthline.com . Here are some helpful ways to get rid of mosquitoes:

  • Chemical Repellents: One of the effective ways to get rid of mosquitoes is with chemical repellants. You can apply Sawyer Products Repellent onto your skin and clothes and enjoy an insect-free environment.
  • Mosquito Traps: You can either make a mosquito trap yourself or purchase Katchy Insect Trap. Using sugar, water, and yeast on cardboard, you can make a sticky platform that will attract mosquitoes.
  • Essential Oils: If you don’t want to use chemicals, you can opt for essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon. These are scents that mosquitoes hate Trusted Source 10 Natural Mosquito Repellents: What Works Most commercial bug repellents can cause health and environmental problems. Learn about natural repellents that actually work. www.healthline.com . Though it might not be as effective as traditional pesticides but with indoor mosquito killers, it will provide excellent protection.
  • Candles: You can also use scents that mosquitoes hate in candles. Burn Coleman Candle and it will keep them away while giving you a pleasant smell. You can also use it with the best mosquito killers for better results.
  • Seal Your Space: While it might be hard to eliminate all the mosquitoes outdoors, you can stop them from getting into your home instead. Seal any tears, holes, and gaps in your door, windows, and screens.
  • Measures for Outdoors: When mosquitoes are in your yard, you might need candles, chemical repellants, natural scents, yellow LED lights, and mosquito traps. Get rid of standing water, treat pools, and manicure your lawn.

FAQ

While we’ve covered the topic, “what temperature do mosquitoes die at?” you might have further questions. Take a look at the popularly asked questions below.

At what high temperature do mosquitoes die?

Mosquitoes die when exposed to temperatures over 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do mosquitoes like the cold?

The answer is no. During the cold weather, some mosquitoes hibernate while others will die. But eggs usually last during the winter months.

Can mosquitoes appear in winter at home?

Although this is rare when mosquitoes appear in your home during winter, they can latch onto a pet’s fur or reproduce where there is standing water. To eliminate them, use the best mosquito killer sprays.

Final Thoughts

So if you’ve been wondering: “at what temperature do mosquitoes die?” This guide has got you covered. Winter won’t last forever, so if you’re getting bitten less, know that it’s only temporary. As the weather becomes warmer, new ones will come toward you. Thus, you should look for ways to get rid of mosquitoes before winter comes and take care of your home.

References

1.
Mosquito Life Cycle
Mosquito Life Cycle-
2.
Where Mosquitoes Live | Mosquitoes | CDC
Mosquitoes live near people, in forests, marshes, and other habitats. Experts trap mosquitoes and collect eggs to monitor them.
3.
Mosquito Bites: Symptoms, Diseases, and Treatments
Mosquito bites are round, usually puffy, and severely itchy. Learn about which diseases mosquitos can transmit and how to treat and prevent bites.
4.
10 Natural Mosquito Repellents: What Works
Most commercial bug repellents can cause health and environmental problems. Learn about natural repellents that actually work.
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