Winter In Florida Isn’t Mosquito-less
Many residents in southeast Florida might assume that mosquitos “go away” when the temperatures begin to drop in late fall and early winter. And while this time of year may not represent the annual peak mosquito season, the reality is that winters in Florida are mild enough that mosquito activity can remain throughout the year. Even if it seems like the frequency of bites is low, that doesn’t reduce the potential risks for disease, because mosquitos aren’t a species that require huge numbers to transmit illness. For many who have fallen ill to a mosquito-borne disease, they may not even recall being bitten or heightened levels of mosquito activity. In this blog post, we’ll cover what actually happens to mosquitos in the winter, review the different diseases they can carry and transmit, and give some general tips for protecting your homes and businesses throughout the year, including the cooler winter months.
Do Mosquitos Die in the Winter? (Hint: Not in South Florida)
In environments that are truly cold and have extended periods of time at or below freezing levels, mosquitos slowly die off or enter periods of extended dormancy. For many regions of the country, the mosquito population counts plummet once it gets cold enough, and only the return of warmer months will lead to them increasing again. But in climates such as that in southeast Florida, the temperatures don’t actually dip low enough – or for long enough periods – to truly kill off mosquitos. A few chilly nights simply isn’t going to do much damage to native mosquito population counts. They might not be as active as during warmer months, but they’re still there in the environment throughout the year, and only the natural lifecycle of the mosquito serves as a natural culling method. Without human intervention, the mosquito population levels in Florida are naturally similar to other tropical and subtropical environments – quite high indeed.
So, Where Do Mosquitoes Go in the Winter?
So, if the mosquitos in Florida don’t die off, you might be wondering – well, where do they go? What happens to them? The short answer is that adult mosquitos in the region will basically “lay low” in the winter, hiding and surviving in pockets of denser vegetation or brush piles, or within unmonitored standing structures – sheds, garages, bins, and the like. These cozy little hiding spots help provide them a little bit more thermal insulation, as well as protection against the elements and natural predators. They will bide their time for a few months, waiting for the return of spring, when they will seek out standing pockets of water to lay their eggs. From here, the eggs hatch into larvae, which then grow into adult mosquitos, continuing the overall mosquito lifecycle.
Why Mosquitos Still Matter in the Winter: Disease Transmission
Even during “off-season”, mosquitos still can carry a range of diseases.The potential diseases that mosquitos in this region have been known to transmit include:
- West Nile virus
- Zika virus
- Dengue fever
- Chikungunya
- And more
Even if their overall activity levels are a little lower in the winter, their actual biological capacity to transmit these diseases to humans isn’t in any way diminished. And because the milder climate in Florida never truly reaches cold enough temperatures, the overall “disease transmission window” for mosquitos is extended much longer in Florida than other regions of the country.
In fact, recent academic research on climate and mosquitos at the University of Florida shows how “climate changes influence the spread of mosquito-borne disease” and which “…contributed to a newly generated global map illustrating where shifting temperatures and rainfall patterns are making conditions increasingly suitable for disease transmission.” Simply put, the already warm and wet climate in Florida is only getting warmer and wetter, increasing the risk levels and transmission windows for these pesky little pests. This is why most local county governments in Florida, including Palm Beach County, continue mosquito control programs throughout the year, including during the winter.
A New Surprising Local Factor: The Ecological Implication of Invasive Lizards
As if climate change isn’t enough, another local factor is also having an impact on mosquito populations – lizards. That’s right, lizards. Lizards in the region eat mosquitos, so they’re a natural predator to them and help limit their populations. They are also common bite victims themselves – as mosquitoes will select them among their host species.
But a particular nonnative species of lizard, the Peter’s rock agama lizard, is becoming an invasive species in the area. They compete with and can even predate upon other native lizards This has resulted in lower populations of the native lizard species, including the brown anole. With less native lizard populations, the mosquitoes face less one predator AND one less option for host selection. They then turn to humans or other species like birds that can later transmit acquired diseases to humans. The introduction of this nonnative lizard species into the local ecology has had unexpected second and third order effects, particularly regarding mosquito populations and their disease transmission patterns.
Practical Mosquito Tips for the Winter
Although recent climate and ecology trends have led to increased risk for transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, there are still some common-sense and basic steps that homeowners and businesses can take to combat mosquito issues, even during the winter months.
- Maintain your landscaping. As mentioned earlier, mosquitos lay low during winter months and one favorite hiding spot is within dense vegetation or brush that collects in yards. Continue to trim bushes and shrubs during the winter and clear out any standing brush in the yard where mosquitoes might bunker down.
- Clear out standing water. Every week or so, make sure you are looking for and clearing out any collected or pooled water, particularly after it rains. Practice good old fashioned “tip and toss” protocols to rid your yard of moisture pockets that mosquitos need for survival and future breeding spots.
- Time outdoor activities during winter months. During the warmer days of the winter, the times of the day that mosquito populations most surge is at dawn and dusk. Try to avoid extended periods outdoors during these times in the winter if you can. If you have to spend time outside during these surge windows, use mosquito repellent spray to provide an extra layer of protection.
- Monitor local mosquito spraying alerts. Check in with local authorities that deal directly with mosquito populations. For example, Palm Beach County maintains a webpage for tracking fall aerial mosquito spraying in south Florida, as well as provides ways for residents to report mosquito activity and request assistance.
Taking some of these proactive measures will go a long way toward keeping mosquitoes away from your yard and home.
Why Professional Mosquito Control in the Winter Can Help
While homeowners and businesses can help do their part in managing mosquito populations, they are still by no means a complete failsafe. For the greatest overall risk reduction, a professional pest control company with ample experience in handling mosquito problems is often warranted. Professional mosquito control services in the fall and winter will help reduce and manage the baseline mosquito population, so that when the spring breeding season occurs, the populations don’t fully explode. Experienced technicians know all the little hiding spots where these pests like to hide and customize their programs for Florida conditions. Here at Nozzle Nolen, we have decades of experience in offering south Florida mosquito control services that residential homeowners can truly rely on. Of course, mosquito control is best handled as part of a complete pest control plan tailored for southeast Floridians.
Protecting Your Business from Winter Mosquito Risks
For businesses, they too can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with professional support. Remember, lower overall mosquito activity still doesn’t mean there’s zero-activity. Restaurants that have outdoor seating or patios, or event venues with outdoor spaces still deal with mosquito complaints and the risks to their customer base associated with them. Ongoing treatment during the winter helps maintain your customers’ comfort and protect your brand reputation and business. Getting in front of these pest issues during the winter proactively manages the threat from spring breeding cycles later on. That’s why at Nozzle Nolen, mosquito control is part of our overall commercial pest control plans as well.
Florida Winters: Fewer Mosquitos = Less Risk, Not Zero Risk
Due to its location, coupled with recent shifts in climate change and local ecology, the mosquito season never truly ends in south Florida, and disease transmission can still occur during the winter months. Due diligence in removing standing water and clearing out dense vegetation and debris can go a long way toward managing local mosquito populations, but when in doubt, get in contact with a professional company. If you suspect you’re having mosquito issues at any time of the year, never hesitate to get in contact with us to schedule an initial inspection and consultation.
