A lot of Orange County residents are wondering why they have been getting so many mosquito bites during our winter months. Is this normal? Don’t mosquitoes go into hibernation during the winter months?
This may surprise you, but not all mosquitoes die in the winter – especially in Southern California. The experts are telling us that our recent heavy rains, coupled with periods of warm weather, may be turning our backyards into year-round mosquito factories!
Mosquito facts
- Mosquitos need water to complete their life cycle. From egg to adult, their development will take about 7-10 days.
- A large portion of mosquitoes are produced in residential backyards, in small breeding sources.
- A small bottle cap can hold enough water to produce mosquitoes!
- Only the female bites.
- Mosquitoes do not develop in grass or shrubbery. However, they will sometimes rest in those areas during the day.
Key reasons for winter mosquitoes in OC
Mosquitoes are cold-blooded insects and they cannot regulate their body temperature. When the weather starts to turn cold, they become lethargic. Most will stop flying altogether when the temperature goes below 50 degrees. Here is what they do to save themselves during the winter:
- Female members of the Aedes genera, such as the Aedes aegypti, or the Aedes albopictus, will lay their last eggs before it gets too cold. These eggs will be laid in places where water can collect and become stagnant (along the sides of containers, such as buckets, drip trays for potted plants, tires, or even in a bottle cap).
Now, here’s what we have seen this winter:
- We had a lot of rain, leaving standing water for these eggs to develop in.
- The sun came out after the rains, and the weather warmed up to their liking.
- With our “spring-like” weather, these mosquito eggs began to hatch, and now you know why we have mosquito problems in the winter.
The other type of mosquito that we have a problem with is the Culex genera, which is also known as the “Southern House Mosquito”. When our weather gets too cold for them, the females of this species will Diapause (they slow their metabolisms and remain in a paused state of development until warmer temperatures return).
While the weather is cold, these mosquitoes will look for warm spots to overwinter. Some of their favorite places to rest are in underground sewer drains, sheds, garages, wood piles, and animal burrows.
During our winter we had:
- A lot of standing water left behind by our heavy rains.
- The sun came out after the rains, and the weather warmed up to their liking.
- With our “spring-like” weather, they got out of their resting places, and went back to work laying more eggs. Now you know why these mosquitoes have been a problem this winter.
It is interesting to note that you probably wouldn’t have this problem if you lived in a colder climate, where the temperature never gets over 50 degrees in the winter. You and I like the weather in Southern California. These mosquitoes love it, too!
Twelve Steps you can take to fight back against mosquitoes
- Dump and drain any containers that hold water at least once a week. Scrub outdoor containers with soapy water to kill the eggs.
- Cover empty containers, or turn them upside down so they won’t collect water.
- Drain bird baths and pet bowls on a weekly basis. Scrub them clean with soapy water to kill any eggs.
- Drain the water from plant saucers on a weekly basis.
- Clean your rain gutters and make sure they are draining properly.
- If you have rain barrels, cover them with tight screening to keep mosquitoes out.
- Dispose of old tires and debris that may collect water.
- If you have unused pools or spas that contain water, contact the Orange County Vector Control District. They will put mosquito fish in these, usually at no charge.
- Sump pumps should be covered with tight screening
- Close all unscreened doors and windows to help keep mosquitoes out. Repair or replace damaged screens.
- Use a mosquito repellant when going outdoors, and reapply as recommended.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Lighter colored clothing is best.
These twelve steps will go a long way in helping you fight back against these pests. If you still are having a problem with mosquitoes in your yard, call us at (949) 631-7348. We have new mosquito services that will help you to take your yard back, and make your life more enjoyable.
