Winter Mosquito Myths—Busted.

Winter changes the pace of outdoor life—but it doesn’t mean mosquitoes disappear. At Thermacell, our mission is simple: help you enjoy the outdoors with confidence, no matter the season. Understanding how mosquitoes behave in cold weather is part of that protection.

Myth #1: “Winter kills mosquitoes.”

The truth: Mosquitoes don’t die off—they bunker down.
Many species enter diapause, a low energy dormant state triggered by cold and shorter days. Others overwinter as adults tucked away in cozy places like basements, storm drains, hollow logs, or under houses. Some even survive as eggs or larvae beneath ice, ready for spring.

Myth #2: “It’s too cold for mosquitoes to bite.”

The truth: Most mosquitoes slow down below 50°F (10°C), but some species take advantage of warm spells or indoor heat.
Cold tolerant species may become active during short winter warmups. Indoors, they can stay warm enough to take a blood meal if they sense heat or carbon dioxide.

Myth #3: “Mosquitoes can’t live indoors in winter.”

The truth: Indoor spaces can actually help mosquitoes survive.
Warm, humid environments like garages, sheds, storage rooms, and basements offer ideal overwintering conditions.

Myth #4: “Winter wipes out next spring’s mosquitoes.”

The truth: Many mosquito eggs are built to survive winter.
Cold resistant eggs from Aedes mosquitoes can last months in frozen or dried out conditions.

Myth #5: “A warm winter day doesn’t matter.”

The truth: Warm winter spikes absolutely matter.
Just a few days above 50–55°F can re activate dormant adults.

Myth #6: “If you’re not seeing mosquitoes, they’re gone.”

The truth: They’re still around—just in a different form.
Mosquitoes persist as eggs, larvae, pupae, or hibernating adults all winter long.

How to Stay Ahead of Winter Mosquito Behavior
•    Remove standing water indoors and outdoors.
•    Keep basements, garages, and sheds dry and ventilated.
•    Seal gaps around screens and doors.
•    Keep Thermacell gear ready for warm spells.

The Bottom Line
Winter doesn’t wipe out mosquitoes—it just changes how they operate. Understanding their cold weather behavior helps you stay protected now and be ready for the first warm day ahead.