"As adults, northern house mosquitoes survive winter by seeking refuge in urban underground structures. Think: the Metro, parking garages, open storm drains, and sewage pipes. Even during extreme weather, these spaces can trend as warm as 35 to 55 degrees. Underground spaces harbor wet environments for breeding as well as rats, a food source for the insects."
"Colder, shorter days cause the eggs to enter a dormant state called diapause that slows their metabolism, helping them survive severe weather. However, Raupp points to studies that suggest the eggs begin to freeze and die in sustained temperatures of 14 degrees and below. It has to remain at those temperatures for maybe more than 24 hours, maybe several days, for that to become lethal."
"The northern house mosquitos have adapted to survive winters even harsher than the one we experienced this year. Raupp says the DC area probably hasn't been cold enough, long enough to expect relief from the insects this summer."
The DC region faces two primary mosquito species: Culex pipiens (northern house mosquitoes) and Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquitoes). Northern house mosquitoes survive winter by sheltering in underground urban structures like the Metro, parking garages, and sewage pipes, where temperatures remain between 35-55 degrees. These spaces provide both breeding environments and food sources like rats. The Asian tiger mosquito survives through eggs that enter diapause, a dormant state triggered by cold weather. While sustained temperatures below 14 degrees for multiple days can kill these eggs, the DC area experienced only four consecutive days at that threshold in January and early February, insufficient to eliminate populations.
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