You’re ready to head outdoors, but before you do, you make sure to spray your clothes with insect repellant and light a citronella candle. After all, you don’t want to come home covered in mosquito bites. But do you have to worry about mosquitoes all year long? If you’re itching to know what temperature kills mosquitoes, keep reading to find out.

There’s a reason you mainly experience mosquito bites during the warmer months: these buzzing insects can’t survive cold weather. Once summer passes, you notice fewer of them on your daily walks. You can finally go to the pond without these blood-suckers attacking you. But just how cold must it get to kill mosquitoes?

Mosquito season in the United States begins in early spring and ends with the first freeze. As temperatures start to drop, mosquitoes become more lethargic. They are cold-blooded beings, which means they are unable to regulate their body temperature. This is why cold weather is a mosquito’s worst enemy.

Like many other creatures, mosquitoes hibernate in the colder months. But at what temperature do mosquitoes die? According to WebMD, the magic number seems to be around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Or, that’s the temperature at which mosquitoes can no longer function.

It’s only logical to assume that if most mosquitoes die in cold weather, their eggs must also perish. Oh, if it were only that simple. Mosquito eggs seem to be quite resilient. Before diving in any deeper, it’s important to learn about a mosquito’s life cycle.

The average mosquito only lives about 2-3 months, and males die well before females. That’s not very much time to annoy humans, transmit disease, or reproduce, but these insects manage to get it all done. In the end, it’s not a lack of food or water that usually kills these insects. Most of the time, it’s due to their short lifespan or a sudden change in the weather.

Does freezing kill mosquitoes? Not necessarily. As long as the temperature remains above 50 degrees, the female should have enough energy to lay her eggs. And if she goes into hibernation before it freezes, a lucky female mosquito may live to see the next season.

Thankfully, however, not all mosquito species fare this well. Only mosquitoes from the genera Anopheles, Culex, and Culiseta hibernate in the winter. The rest just lay their eggs, say their goodbyes, and perish in the freezing weather.

What about her eggs? Mosquito eggs can withstand freezing temperatures. The eggs will survive the winter and emerge as temperatures rise. Even after a polar vortex, you can still expect baby mosquitoes to hatch during the spring.

Winter doesn’t last forever, and the decrease in mosquito bites you enjoy during the colder months is only temporary. As the weather begins to warm back up, new mosquitoes will hatch and you can expect them to have an insatiable hunger for your blood.

Warmer weather doesn’t mean you have to suffer through another itchy mosquito season. 247 Local Pest Control can help stop mosquitoes before they get out of control. We have effective mosquito solutions to keep your family protected. Visit our website or call (833) 220-1001 to learn how our barrier spray treatment will keep your yard mosquito-free all year long.