A mild winter can give mosquito season a head start, since more eggs and overwintering adults survive and emerge earlier. But winter matters less for mosquitoes than people assume. What really drives a season is spring and summer rainfall and warmth.
After a mild winter, you might wonder if you’re about to go right into a terrible mosquito summer. The honest answer is "maybe," with the important caveat that winter isn't the main factor.
Mild winters help mosquitoes. Some species overwinter as adults tucked into sheltered spots. Others are eggs that wait until spring to hatch. A warmer winter lets a greater number of them survive. If the temps run high in late-winter or early-spring, that can cause them to emerge early and get a jump start on reproduction.
But more important is rainfall. That gives mosquitoes the standing water they need to breed in. And then there’s heat, which can speed up their time to maturity. A mild winter followed by a hot, wet spring is the worst combo. You can contrast this to ticks, where mild winters alone make a massive difference to the population. Mosquitoes are more governed by what happens in the warm months.
But why roll the dice on the outcome of the weather? The better plan is to get rid of standing water early, and start barrier treatment as soon as you can. That will help you control mosquitoes on a population level no matter what the thermometer says.
If you're tired of being caught off guard by an early mosquito season, Mosquito Squad of Grand Rapids can help. Mosquito Squad can get a barrier in place before the season ramps up, helping protect your yard with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
