Where Do Mosquitoes Go in Winter?

People like to venture to warmer climes during the winter. Snowbird grandparents flee to Arizona or Florida. Lucky vacationers take planes to anywhere they can find that isn’t covered in snow and ice. College kids escape abroad for their winter breaks. The only downside these individuals can find in traveling to warmer places is that warm weather means mosquitoes. During the winter, at least, they can avoid that particular creature. Right? 

Wrong! It’s a popular misconception that mosquitoes die off in the winter. That’s not quite what happens to them. If you’ve ever wondered where mosquitoes actually go when the snow starts to fall, you’re in the right place.

So: where do mosquitoes go in winter?

The answer to this question is different depending on the gender of the mosquito. Male mosquitoes don’t make it past autumn’s leaf fall. Their life span is, on average, no longer than ten days. Females, on the other hand, can survive the winter. 

They’re able to do this by going dormant – a state similar to hibernation. They’ll find a safe place like a hollow log, animal burrow, or out-of-the-way corner of someone’s home. Females can remain in this state throughout the winter, for up to six months. Now that you know where mosquitoes are during the winter, you’re probably wondering: what happens when they wake up again?

Is there anything I can do to prevent spring infestations?

In the spring, there aren’t any male mosquitoes around. Unfortunately, however the female mosquitoes waking up usually have eggs to deposit. This makes spring the most dangerous time for people who are wary of mosquito infestations. The females need blood to help their eggs develop, so when the weather warms they wake up and are out seeking blood. How do you prevent them from harassing you and your home? 

  • Use mosquito repellent outdoors. This won’t prevent infestations. It will, however, help you avoid aggressive biting from female mosquitoes during spring months. 
  • Use candles when you’re going to be outdoors. Mosquitoes are repelled by certain oils used in outdoor candles. Citronella, clove, cedarwood, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass are all valid options. 
  • Remove any standing water from your property. This won’t keep them from biting, but it can help keep them from lingering. Mosquitoes need still, standing water to lay their eggs. Don’t let puddles develop on your property and they won’t have anywhere to infest.
  • Clean up random debris. Mosquitoes love standing water, yes, but it’s not the only place they’re willing to lay eggs. They can also make do with especially damp soil or debris with existing decay. This can include piles of leaves, mulch, or decaying woodpiles. Keep your outdoor space clean and free of decay to prevent mosquitoes from calling it their home.

It doesn’t matter the time of year – if you have a mosquito problem, Griffin Pest can help. Give us a call. Our experts can help diagnose and solve your pest problems, mosquito-based or otherwise. Not only can we remove existing infestations, but we can also teach you to better prevent future ones as well.

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Mosquito Tips To Protect Your Family

Don’t let Mosquitoes ruin your summer fun

Summer in Michigan means a trip to the ballgame, casting a fishing line in your favorite lake or hitting the beach for a day in the sun. Unfortunately, is also means dealing with annoying mosquitoes that want to spoil the fun and draw their next blood meal from you.  Read on for some mosquito tips that are sure to save the day, err summer.

What’s the mosquito forecast look like?

A recent report ranked Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo/Battle Creek as the nation’s 12th most mosquito infested city in the United States.

While swatting away mosquitoes is an inconvenience, these flying nuisances can pose serious health threats to both humans and animals. Michigan has more than 50 different species of mosquitoes buzzing around the state and they can spread West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, chikungunya virus, and dog heartworm to name a few.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2014, 47 states and the District of Columbia reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. In those states there were a total of 2,122 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 85 deaths. The most recent data for Michigan (from 2013) showed there were 34 reported cases and 2 deaths linked to West Nile virus that year.

Here’s some of the CDC’s recommended Mosquito Tips

Guarding your family from these annoying and potentially harmful pests starts with some basic personal protection steps including:

• Using insect repellent containing DEET or eucalyptus oil.
• Using citronella candles on the patio.
• Since mosquitoes are not good flyers, installing a ceiling or box fan to literally blow mosquitoes away from your deck or patio.
• Wearing long sleeve shirts and pants.

How can you prevent mosquitoes from becoming a nuisance in the first place? The key is eliminating standing water on your property because water is prime real estate for mosquitoes. Standing water can gather due to over irrigation, broken sprinkler heads, clogged gutters, ornamental ponds, swimming pools, bird baths, trash cans and flower pots.

Adult mosquitoes usually take blood from birds but from unsuspecting humans as well. It is the female mosquito you really have to watch out for as she is active from dusk to dawn in search of a tasty blood meal.

To prevent mosquitoes from invading your backyard this summer Griffin Pest Solutions offers its

Seven Tips To Protect Your Family From Mosquitoes:

1. If possible, drill drainage holes, cover, or invert any container or object that holds standing water that must remain outdoors (i.e. flower planters, sand boxes, etc.). Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or buildings.
2. Clean clogged rain gutters and storm drains. Keep outdoor drains flowing freely and clear of leaves, vegetation, and other debris.
3. Aerate ornamental ponds to avoid letting water stagnate.
4. Change water in birdbaths and fountains at least once per week.
5. Ensure rain and/or irrigation water does not stand in plant containers, trash cans, boats, or other containers.
6. Regularly chlorinate swimming pools and keep pumps and filters operating.
7. Minimize locations when mosquitoes can nest by thinning branches, trimming and pruning ornamental shrubs and bushes, and keeping grass mowed short.

You can find more mosquito tips from the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/  also, the National Pest Management Association has mosquito tips available at http://www.pestworld.org/multimedia-center/pest-tv/educational/mosquito-prevention-around-the-home/

If you have questions or concerns about mosquitoes around your home call or e-mail Griffin Pest Solutions at 888/547-4334 or callcenter@https://www.griffinpest.com/ for more information and a free estimate.