What To Expect From Mosquitoes This Winter
The dropping temperatures are a signal to all nature to adjust to the coming winter conditions. Some trees, for example, shed all their leaves, to avoid the weight of snow on their branches. Also, animals as large as bears, and as small as chipmunks, retreat into their hideouts. They do this to stay away from the cold. But what about mosquitoes? Do these bugs follow the way of all nature?
Climate Change
Well, you would wish that mosquitoes could just give everyone a break and go into their caves. That used to happen when they’d go into “diapause”. But does that still happen even with changing climate conditions? Find out from the experts.
“We found that the mosquitoes in our study are what we call ‘plastic,’ meaning that, like a rubber band, the range of temperatures they can tolerate stretches and contracts at different times of year,” Scheffers said.
The researchers found that in the spring, when nighttime temperatures are still cold and daytime temperatures begin to warm up, mosquitoes can tolerate a larger range of temperatures. Come summer, when daily temperatures are warm, that range contracts. In autumn, when temperatures begin to cool off, the range stretches again, Scheffers explained.
“That tells us that as climate change makes our autumns and winters warmer, mosquitoes in more temperate regions are well prepared to be active during those times,” Scheffers said. Read more at Science Daily
Disappointing news right there! But, you can do something about these blood-sucking creatures.
Become Unattractive
What do you do when these pesky bugs refuse to go away? Just ensure you’re a turn-off for them. Consider using repellents.
A mosquito repellent doesn’t actually kill mosquitoes. Repellents work by making people less attractive to mosquitoes, so they’re less likely to bite you.
When deciding what type of mosquito repellent to use, you should consider:
How long you will be outside
How many mosquitoes are in your area
Risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases where you live
What you are putting on your skin
Many conventional mosquito repellents have the chemicals DEET or picaridin as active ingredients. But there are more natural mosquito repellents available that may also be effective. Read more at Web MD
You may not be able to keep all mosquitoes away from your home. But the few that find their way into your premises don’t have to make a meal out of you.
Be Unpredictable
So, scientists have noted that using the same repellent over time is not as effective as you hoped. So, you may need to get a different one this time around!
Mosquito-borne diseases kill about 700,000 people every year. Lives can be spared by applying insect repellents, including a chrysanthemum flower extract called pyrethrum that humans have used for thousands of years. A new study in Nature Communications finally shows how pyrethrum works, with two components acting synergistically to deter the pesky bloodsuckers.
Mosquitoes tend to develop resistance to a specific repellent over time, notes the study’s senior author Ke Dong, a Duke University neurotoxicologist. So “new, alternative ones need to be continuously developed to eventually replace current ones,” she says. Understanding repellent mechanisms could help. “We’re very excited because we are finally beginning to understand how a popular natural insect repellent, used worldwide, keeps mosquitoes from biting people.” Read more at Scientific American
Seems like you always need to find a way to outwit the disease-causing bugs. But there’s good news for you.
At Backyard Bug Patrol, we hate bugs! And we have mastered the art of keeping them away from your home. Our barrier spray program makes use of organic pest control methods that are both effective and efficient. So, why worry about mosquitoes in winter when we are here for you? Go ahead and call us today!