How weather affects flies and mosquitoes

Updated on August 22nd, 2024

As the seasons shift, so too does our battle with the relentless swarm of flying pests. Year after year, as the cold retreats and grills rekindle, these unwelcome guests reappear, buzzing celebrations into a frenzy of swats.

Ever wondered where these flying nuisances hibernate when winter chills the air? Do they migrate to warmer climates like feathery snowbirds, or do they slumber through the frost like hidden bears?

Let's dive into the curious dynamics of weather, temperature and their surprising impact on the lives of flies and mosquitoes, beginning with a brief review of the fly and mosquito.

Fly facts

Flies spoil your summertime barbecue and hang around your garbage cans. Intriguing facts about flies:

• Flies belong to the order of insects called Diptera.
• There are over 125,000 species of fly across the world.
• Most flies on average are about one-half inch long.
• Flies live on a liquid diet.
• A mosquito is a type of fly, as is a bee.
• A housefly can spread certain diseases such as E. coli and Salmonella.

Mosquito facts

Also a nuisance in the warmer months, mosquitoes add to the equation by biting those they come in contact with.  Key facts about mosquitoes:

• Only female mosquitoes bite.
• There are 3,500 species of mosquito.
• Mosquitoes are generally smaller than one-half inch long.
• Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide found in human breath.
• Mosquito bites contain an anticoagulant that allows females to eat easier.
• A mosquito doesn’t actually bite; it injects an elongated mouthpart called a proboscis.
• West Nile Virus is a disease known to be transmitted by mosquitoes.

Both flying insects are active as long as the temperature holds up. With the overall global temperature changing, the active months are becoming longer. However, weather and temperature do indeed affect how these Diptera function and live. 

The role of water: Drought vs flooding

Wind, rain, flooding, drought and other weather conditions affect how we live as humans. These weather conditions also affect insects. 

Lack of water

Drought casts a harsh reality for those whose livelihoods intertwine with the rhythms of nature. Farmers and ranchers, who draw life from the land for their crops and cattle, find that a simple garden hose falls short against the vast needs of parched fields. Often, this water is drawn not from vast city supplies but from humble wells. Just as we look to the skies for rain, so too do the flies and mosquitoes depend on these waters for survival.

Flies, after all, thrive on a liquid diet, mostly sourcing their hydration from the very meals they consume. However, the essence of their attraction lies in their fondness for decaying matter, a process that is significantly accelerated by the presence of water. Thus, moisture aids in the breakdown of their preferred feasts and attracts them to these vital resources.

A mosquito's entire life cycle is intricity tied to water. Without water, these pests couldn't continue their lineage. Female mosquitoes deposit their eggs in any stagnant water, though naturally collected rainwater proves particularly favorable for hatching their young. For mosquito larvae to mature into adults, this water must remain undisturbed for about 10 to 14 days, making every puddle a potential nursery.

Overabundance of water

Flooding can wreak havoc just as much as drought. For instance, the farmer's crops risk being washed away, and in severe cases, livestock could also be endangered. The impact on insect populations varies; while some may thrive due to increased breeding habitats, others might struggle with the disruption to their environments.

As water recedes, conditions become ideal for flies to thrive; they feed on the decaying matter left behind by floods, such as vegetation exposed to the elements. This decomposition supports fly populations, multiplying their numbers. In some regions, this post-flood surge in fly activity is significant enough that health warnings, such as boiling water to prevent illness, are issued to the public.

Mosquitoes rely on standing water to reproduce. When in motion, the female can not lay her eggs. However, as the water stills, an endless supply of puddles—and breeding grounds—appear, until it evaporates. The mosquito life cycle, taking 10 to 14 days, varies with weather conditions and temperature, topics we will explore next.

The impact of temperature 

Just as too much or too little rain affects insect populations, temperatures also determine insect survival. If the weather is too hot, insects behave a certain way; whereas when it is too cold, they react a different way.

Excessive heat

When you or I get too hot, we are in danger of suffering heat stroke and need to either cool our bodies down or suffer the consequences. When insects experience excessive heat, their exoskeletons behave in specific manners.

Flies tend to thrive in the heat, which often seems to boost their reproduction. However, their reproductive response to temperature can vary: some studies suggest that flies reproduce less in extremely hot conditions, laying fewer eggs, while others find that warm environments inside buildings encourage more rapid breeding, with temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit ideal for egg development.

Mosquitoes also enjoy themselves, especially if humidity accompanies the heat. However, excessive heat can lead to rapid evaporation of standing water, reducing their breeding spots and causing inactivity. Unfortunately, when reduced humidity combines with high temperatures, mosquitoes become less active in the sweltering weather, leading to more aggressive feeding when temperatures cool. Like us avoiding the hottest parts of the day, so do mosquitoes, feeding more voraciously during cooler periods, which can increase the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Extreme cold

Just like everything else, each creature has its breaking point with cold. Water solidifies at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and similarly, every bug has a threshold too. While some insects can hibernate and reemerge as temperatures warm, others aren’t so lucky.

Flies struggle with cold weather. As temperatures plummet, adult flies typically perish, but their eggs can endure if shielded from the harsh conditions. These eggs continue to develop through their life stages and overwinter as pupae. This cycle ensures the emergence of a new generation of flies with the arrival of spring.

Mosquitoes are remarkably resilient to cold. While some may perish as temperatures drop, many survive by hibernating. Remarkably, some mosquito larvae can hibernate in the water where their eggs were laid. These eggs hatch in the fall, and the larvae sink to the bottom, enduring the winter to emerge in the warmer months of spring or summer.

Year after year, the cycle continues, constantly renewing the threat of insect invasions in your home. With each new generation of flies and mosquitoes, the question isn't just why they return, but how you can effectively eliminate them from your living space.

Identifying fly and mosquito hotspots

To tackle an invasion of flies and mosquitoes, start by identifying and eliminating their attractions.

Flies are attracted to foul odors and decay, which can stem from a variety of sources both indoors and outdoors. Common indoor culprits include neglected garbage cans, unwashed sinks, piles of dirty laundry, and hidden plumbing leaks. Outdoors, flies may gather around trash bins, compost piles, pet waste, and recycling bins, drawn by similar smells of decay and decomposition.

"Mosquitoes, while they might occasionally wander indoors, primarily breed outside in any stagnant water. Beyond typical spots like birdbaths and puddles, they are drawn to less obvious locations such as children's toys, tires, grills, and even pool covers. These items can inadvertently collect water and serve as prime egg-laying sites. Vigilantly managing and eliminating standing water in these common and overlooked areas is crucial for controlling mosquito populations effectively.

Dr. Killigan’s solution for flies and mosquitoes

As you  eliminate your home of these sources, you can, ultimately, rid your home of flies and mosquitoes. Dr. Killigan’s non-toxic pest control products have you covered against both flying pests.

For flies, The Fly Inn is the best non-toxic trap on the market, boasting a stylish design that adheres to windows and glass doors via suction cups. Utilizing a natural and patented lure-and-trap technique, this device synergizes science with sunlight to decisively capture winged invaders, attracting and securing them to a glue strip. 

 

For additional fly-deterring-strategies, read:

• 4 natural ways to deter flies
  
• How to get rid of flies

When dealing with mosquitoes, Dr. Killigan’s offers Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray. Six Feet Under is an on-contact all-natural mosquito killer spray. It uses a blend of clove oil,cinnamon oil, soybean oil and plant-based sodium lauryl sulfate to help you dispose of mosquitoes from your home. It is toxin-free and 100% safe for use in your kitchen area and around pets as well as children.

For more mosquito insight, I recommend these articles: 

• Keeping mosquitoes away from your home
• Mosquitoes, their bites and the diseases they carry
• Mosquitoes: More than just pests - surprising ecological benefits revealed