Mosquitoes survive at high altitude by adapting to shorter seasons and colder temperatures, and by breeding wherever water collects. There are fewer species up high than at sea level, but the ones that live there are well suited to the conditions.
A lot of people think that Denver is too high up and too dry for mosquitoes. This isn’t the case. Mosquitoes come in many different types, and the types that we see around here are the ones that have adapted to the environment.
High above sea level, temperatures are cooler. So there are fewer warm months. This is part of why the mountains and high plains have fewer mosquitoes. But the flip side is that those that do live here have compressed life cycles. The mosquitoes that call the Front Range home are able to emerge, breed, and build populations quickly in the available warm months. Many also overwinter successfully as cold-hardy eggs or dormant adults.
You might think that the drier environment removes the standing water mosquitoes need to breed, but this isn’t the case either. The sources simply change. Snowmelt fills low spots and pools in spring, summer thunderstorms leave standing water, and in a semi-arid climate like Colorado's, irrigation becomes a major supplier, keeping lawns, gardens, and low areas wet enough to breed. And, of course, any container left outside can collect water so gutters and saucers can easily keep water in them for weeks at a time with no rain to replenish them.
It's true that higher elevations tend to have fewer mosquito species than warm, humid lowlands, and the very highest peaks have few or none. But that doesn’t mean your yard is automatically exempt from mosquitoes. It’s still a good idea to get rid of standing water and mind your irrigation to make sure it doesn’t leave pools of water.
If you're tired of assuming the altitude would spare you the mosquitoes, Mosquito Squad of West Denver can help. Mosquito Squad treats the resting areas where mosquitoes shelter and helps you cut your breeding sources. This can help you to protect your yard with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
