The Temperatures are Cooling, but is Mosquito Activity?

 

Plus, we’re going on a sleigh ride to look at mosquito activity in some of the country’s most festive towns

As mosquito abatement districts wrap up another unpredictable season, many teams are dealing with mosquito activity that lingers. While it is natural to expect populations to decline steadily into winter, cooler seasons are no longer a guaranteed break.

Understanding why populations behave this way is essential for districts planning year-end maintenance and early 2026 strategies. Read on to discover what warmer winters and longer seasons mean for mosquito abatement.

Then, in the spirit of the season, we’ll take a look at how MADs are preparing for winter in towns across the U.S. where it always feels like the holidays.

 

Warmer Winters, Longer Seasons and Droughts

Historically cold regions are beginning to see new mosquito pressures emerge as average temperatures trend upward. According to a recent report, Iceland, once considered inhospitable to mosquitoes, has now identified three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes for the first time. With temperatures rising nearly 2°F in the last two decades, mosquitoes may now have the ability to survive by sheltering in barns, basements, and other protected structures.

For U.S. districts, similar warming trends are extending mosquito seasons past traditional endpoints. Even brief warming events during an otherwise cold month can allow dormant populations to reactivate, resulting in unexpected late-season biting pressure or fresh egg-laying cycles.

Another driver of mosquito-borne diseases during cooler seasons is drought. Our West Central Region Territory Manager, Loren Cunnington, recently attended the Utah Mosquito Management and Northwest Mosquito & Vector Control Association conferences, where this topic was discussed.

“West Nile virus counts in Utah were significant in 2025, despite severe drought across much of the state,” said Cunnington. “This has prompted many districts to investigate why West Nile numbers seem to spike during drought years.”

Long-Lasting Control Strategies

To reduce the need for frequent treatments once the season picks up again, mosquito abatement districts should prioritize products with longer residual control. Central Life Sciences offers several extended-residual options that help applications last longer and streamline operations.

  • Altosid® XR-G Ultra provides up to 28 days of control in standing water and can be applied up to 14 days before flooding.
  • Altosid® P35 delivers up to 35 days of residual control with dual-encapsulation technology and allows pre-treatment 15 days prior to flood events.
  • For both rapid larval knockdown and long-term suppression, Duplex-G™ larvicide combines Bti with our pioneering (S)-methoprene to offer quick kill, reliable pre-flood performance, and environmental compatibility.

Together, these options can help districts stabilize mosquito pressure even when environmental conditions deviate from historic norms.

 

‘Skeeter’s Greetings from these Holiday Towns

To brighten up your holidays, we’re also taking a look at how MADs in five of our nation’s holiday-themed towns are preparing for the season:

  • Santa Claus, Indiana: This jolly old town is home to multiple species, including the Northern House Mosquito (Culex pipiens) and Eastern Tree Hole Mosquito (Aedes triseriatus). Mosquito abatement pros in this area are making a winter preparation list (and checking it twice) that includes surveillance, equipment maintenance, and planning for early spring hatch-offs.
  • North Pole, Alaska: Do you hear what I hear? While many may not associate mosquitoes with Alaska, the state is buzzing with nearly 30 species, including the thumbnail-sized Snow Mosquito (Culiseta alaskaensis). These aggressive biters overwinter in the forest floors, waiting to emerge in June and reclaim their title as the “State Bird of Alaska.”
  • Christmas, Michigan: Mosquito abatement in Michigan largely focuses on monitoring overwintering sites where eggs can persist in frozen soil. The Inland Floodwater Mosquito (Aedes vexans) thrives in flood-prone areas where it lays its eggs. Snowmelt and early rains can trigger substantial hatch-offs— not the most welcome gift where it is Christmas every day.
  • Rudolph, Wisconsin: Similar to Christmas and Santa Claus, the Inland Floodwater Mosquito and Northern House Mosquito reside in Rudolph near homes with stagnant water, typically breeding in large numbers. A recent study found that snow-covered tires might provide enough insulation to help mosquitoes survive harsh Wisconsin winters and “guide” them into spring.
  • Noel, Missouri: Missouri mosquito abatement slows during winter, but districts still track overwintering eggs and larvae that persist in wetlands, wooded floodplains, and soil. Especially when West Nile and Zika-carrying species like the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) are expected to hatch during early spring rains, bringing the first Noel activity of the season.

 

Don’t Miss Your Final Chance: 2025 Rebate Programs

And finally, as the year wraps up, districts planning their 2025 product needs still have time to take advantage of Central Life Sciences’ rebate programs. Get valuable savings on essential mosquito control solutions!

Details and eligibility information can be found here: https://www.centralmosquitocontrol.com/rebates