Oh boy, it’s that time of year again. Today we’re going to discuss possibly the worst part of winter ending. That’s right, we’re going to be talking about springtime Tampa mosquitos. If you’re like me, you probably spend a lot of time outside. And if you’re spending a lot of time outside, you’ve probably already noticed. Noticed what? Well, I’ll tell you.
The buzzing pests are back in force. And we’re going to go over a few basic things about what makes a mosquito a mosquito, why they go away during the winter, and what you can do about them.
Springtime Tampa Mosquitos: What are Aedes mosquitos?
In Florida, we have many species of mosquito. And one of the most talked about these days is the aedes genre. These mosquitos are the floodwater family of pests. That means that they like to lay their legs in moist soil or containers that catch rainfall. You can find these buzzing parasites laying their eggs and breeding in ditches, holes in trees, and old tires full of water.
The eggs of these mosquitos can survive drying up completely, only to hatch when they’re once again flooded by water. They have a four-stage process of development, like other mosquitos. They’re tropical and subtropical species of mosquitos, and breed in warm weather, though they can survive the colder times of the year in an almost hibernation-like state.
The adults in this group can feed day and night, and several species are some of the more notorious members of this family of pests. For example, the Aedes vexans in a mosquito known as the inland floodwater mosquito. But it’s known to be one of the fiercest and most painful biters.
Two members of this species are dangerous vectors of disease. These include dengue fever, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and even yellow fever. This is a very common family of springtime Tampa mosquitos.
Where do mosquitos go during the winter?
In Florida, winter is a pretty popular season with the folks that live here year round. Sure, the beaches and swimming for 3/4ths of the year is great and all. But if the weather is warm enough for a swim, it’s warm enough for mosquitos. And then begs the question, where do the springtime Tampa mosquitos go during that small window where it’s cold?
Well, unlike larger animals, mosquitos don’t migrate. The males just die. Yep, the male population of this parasite simply drops dead every winter. The males have shorter lifespans than the females and simply pass away after mating anyways. Females, though? Well, they hibernate. In a way, anyway.
They burrow into hollow logs or even cracks in the ground. Once there, this pest enters a stasis called “diapause. They can hibernate for months in freezing and dry conditions, and carry on when there’s enough water and heat to suit their needs. When it warms up again, the females will emerge from hibernation, during springtime—and now it’s time to start collecting blood. At this point, they’re getting ready to lay their eggs and they need as much blood as possible to help the eggs develop.
That’s why you see so many mosquitos explode out of seemingly nowhere during the spring. They’re ready to lay their eggs and need as much blood as possible to lay their eggs. And it’s a perfect time too since most people ditch their long sleeves and start to flock outdoors. Anything as low as fifty degrees sends them into their hibernating state. But when it’s consistently above that, though? You guess it. It’s feeding time for the pests.
Home Mosquito Control Tips
Out there in the state, there are a few government bodies trying to stem the tide. But, personally, I would rather people just start taking personal responsibility. Seeing as the other reality is things like flying helicopters raining pesticides on us or genetically engineered males being released in droves. So, what are some steps you can take to help the fight against this pest?
Well, your first and greatest enemy is always going to be standing water. Standing water and sources that collect this. Not only is standing water a breeding ground for bugs of all colors but diseases as well. Adult springtime Tampa mosquitos lay their eggs in stagnant or slow-moving water, or on moist soil or collections of wet leaf litter. Eliminating sources of standing water is your best bet to stop an infestation before it happens.
For example, that old tire in your backyard that fills up after every rainfall? Dump it. Why are you keeping that around anyway? Also, drill a small hole or two in the bottom of your trash cans and recycling bins. Water can pool in the bottom of those and allow mosquitos to breed right under your nose.
Unclog and clean your gutters on a regular basis as well. These can be hotspots for mosquito breeding, and more free-flowing water will stop leaving puddles in the drainage area. Dump anything that holds water at least twice a weak, and give it a wipe down with a washcloth. You’d be surprised at your bird feeders. Look at them on a Monday, and then look on Wednesday. Sure, the animals don’t mind slurping up a few mosquito larvae, but they’ll sure mind when they hatch and start to bite back. And when you go out, where some long sleeves. Unexposed skin would take a really large mosquito to bite, as they’d have to break through your clothing.
Springtime Tampa Mosquitos: What if I’m already infested?
Like most infestations, I’d suggest getting in contact with a professional pest control company. Most offer free consultations, if they’re worth their salt, and will be able to spot and fix problems that you as a layman may miss when walking your property.
And despite what popular word of mouth may say, many mosquito products you buy in stores are bogus. They’re not attracted to light, so zappers won’t work, and citronella oil will only go so far.
