Mosquito and Temperature: How Temperature Influences Mosquito Behavior
Mosquitoes have temperature preferences that dictate their activity levels, their breeding behaviors, and hence their survivability. Knowing how temperature behaves with mosquitoes can help in planning for measures that will help reduce their numbers. At what temperature do mosquitoes die? Discover how temperature affects mosquito survival, from freezing conditions that kill them to optimal ranges that boost activity.
Table of Contents
Effects of temperature on mosquitoes
Eighty percent of cool weather mosquito species are extinct. And most hot weather mosquito species are reproduced between 75 to 95 F (24 to 32 °C). This is because mosquitoes multiply quickly and look for blood meals in order to reproduce.
In addition, warm temperatures also favor the growth of larvae as the process from egg to adult mosquito is less time consuming in heat. This is why peak mosquito season is generally considered to be during the warm summer months because when the weather is hot and humid more breeding sites are usually available for breeding.
Optimal and Fatal Temperature Limits and Ranges Explained
At what temperature do mosquitoes disappear?
Mosquito activity and survival are not expected to happen in the cold. When ambient air temperatures reach below 50°F (10°C) populations of mosquitoes begin to falter on a significant scale. Some species become inactive while others survive the cold months by laying hardy eggs. The adults survive the cold while the eggs hatch when conditions turn warm and humid which is usually in spring season. At this temperature mosquitoes go away, as this cycle causes most of the mosquitoes to be inactive or “gone” throughout winter months.
At what temperature do mosquitoes die?
The temperature at which a mosquito dies is dependent on its species, however, they all definitely dies at the extreme cold temperatures. Mild temperatures of about 50°F (10°C) and below most mosquitoes either go into a dormant state known as diapause or completely die off.
However, temperatures below 32°F (0°C) are quite deadly and usually if maintained are deadly anyway. Sub-zero temperatures freeze the mosquito’s body fluids and then impede their ability to function and thereafter lead to death.
Favorable temperature for mosquito growth and maturation
Eggs are often topped off with sand, in the expectation that these measures will expedite their hatching. However, a warm temperature is crucial for the development of mosquitoes as well. If the temperature is below 50 degrees (10 °C), mosquito eggs can live but will not hatch until the temperature gets warmer again.
If water reaches between 81.4 and 86.0 F (27 to 30 oC), the maturation of larvae quickly completes within 4 to 7 days in water. Thus, suddenly increasing the mosquito population in the area.
With this such rapid population growth occurring in most favorable conditions, ideal environmental temperatures will become closer to the average rate. Mosquitoes might get killed during the winter months though extensive colder temperatures.
Is hot weather a favourite for mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes do love warmth and are found abundantly in the areas of high humidity and where the temperature is always above 75°F (24°C). At this temperature mosquitoes come out and look for their hosts and subsequently starts reproducing.
At this temperature mosquitoes are the most active and if the temperature rises above 100°F (38°C), they can get stressed or dehydrated, making it difficult for them to survive or reproduce.
Too high a temperature with low humidity might compel mosquitoes to seek shade and cooler spaces to hide where they can deal with the risk of dehydration and hence their activity during peak heat hours will drop significantly.
Comfortable temperature range for mosquitoes
Mosquitoes do not easily adapt and do not take sudden changes in the types of temperature ranges they prefer lightly. When there are dramatic changes in the temperature, mosquitoes will often hide to more covered areas. Mosquitoes living in tropical and subtropical areas are active all year round because they do not experience drastic temperature changes. Thus, at this favorable temperature range mosquitoes can easily survive.
However, mosquitoes in temperate areas have a greater range of seasonal temperature changes which regulates their activity and results in the formation of dormancy or die-offs during winter.
Strategies to be used to fight against mosquitoes?
Knowledge of the temperature dependent activity of mosquitoes can be useful planning control measures on such:
- Use of Repellents: Since mosquitoes are lazy during chilly moments, control methods such as spraying are best done in early summer and late spring when the temperature is conducive for mosquito breeding purposes.
- Mitigate Standing Water Accumulation Before Summer: If sources of standing water are removed prior to temperatures getting to optimal levels, it would be possible to prevent the hatching of mosquito eggs and minimize breeding areas.
- Installing Barriers in Scorching Temperatures: In areas where temperatures are above 100 °F (38 °C), providing shade and other barriers can cut the number of resting places for mosquitoes and also reduce their activities within your yard.
- Measures to Prepare for Winter Seasons: For areas which have winter, it is useful to wipe out and disinfect those regions with swamps in the autumn season, for the reason that eggs can be dormant through winter and spring.
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Conclusion: How temperature affects mosquitoes
The temperature is the one factor that equally affects the behavior, the activities, and even the survival of the mosquito. Mosquitoes tend to thrive well when warm and humid climates with average temperatures of 75°F and 95°F (24°C to 35°C), activity levels drop below 50°F (10°C), a temperature which is too cold for mosquitoes. While below freezing temperatures kill mosquitoes.
These patterns are very useful in informing the control measures for mosquitoes so as to have the minimum populations of the mosquitoes during the peak season.
By using these patterns, regions can implement measures in advance that affect the mosquito populations when they are at the weakest point.
