Reducing the number of mosquitoes near your home or business means killing their larvae before they become adults. There are various ways to do this, but the temperature at which you do it is very important.
In general, however, it is safe to say that most mosquito larvae will die at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. At temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, most mosquito larvae will also die.
So if you are looking to kill mosquito larvae in your pool, pond, lake, or other body of water, aim for a temperature somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.
Factors That Can Kill Larvae
So what temperature kills mosquito larvae? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The temperatures that kill mosquito larvae vary depending on the type of water in which they are found.
For example, mosquito larvae can withstand colder temperatures in ponds than they can in puddles.
Cold Temperature
Mosquito larvae can indeed withstand colder temperatures in ponds than they can in puddles. The colder the temperature, the slower the mosquito larvae will develop.
This is because mosquitoes are ectothermic, which means their body temperature depends on the temperature of their environment.
Cold temperatures can kill mosquito larva, as well as prevent them from developing into adult mosquitoes.
When water temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be deadly for mosquito larva. The cold water shocks their system and they are unable to develop properly.
As a result, they die off before they have a chance to turn into the adults that we all know and dread. In addition to killing larva, cold temperatures can also prevent eggs from hatching.
When the temperature drops below 50 degrees, the eggs go into a state of dormancy and will not hatch until the weather warms up again.
As a result, exposing mosquito eggs to cold temperatures is an effective way of preventing them from ever reaching maturity.
However, there is a limit to how cold they can withstand. If the temperature gets too low, it will kill them. So what is the ideal temperature for mosquito larvae?
High Temperature
Higher water temperatures will kill mosquito larvae more quickly than lower water temperatures. This is because the larvae are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature changes according to the water temperature.
When the water is warmer, the larvae’s metabolism speeds up and uses up more oxygen. At a certain point, the larvae cannot get enough oxygen from the water and they die.
The exact temperature that kills mosquito larvae varies depending on the species of mosquito. For most species, the larvae can withstand temperatures up to about 95°F (35°C). However, some species can only tolerate temperatures as high as 86°F (30°C).
Mosquito Species
Well, it depends on the species of mosquito. For example, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like Zika virus, prefer warmer temperatures.
They can survive in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but they thrive in temperatures between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, Culex mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, prefer cooler temperatures. They can survive in temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but they thrive in temperatures between 59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Maintain High Temperature in Water
The most effective way to kill a mosquito larva is There are a few ways to achieve this high temperature – using a solar cover, making use of water heaters, or using chemicals
Adding Water Heater
There are a few ways to achieve this high temperature – using a solar cover, using water heaters, or using chemicals. Solar covers work by trapping the sun’s energy and transferring it to the water below, raising the water temperature.
Adding heaters can also raise the water temperature, and there are both electric and gas heaters available.
Finally, chemicals can also be used to raise the water temperature. These are usually added in the form of tablets or granules that dissolve in the water and release heat.
Whichever method you choose, make sure that you raise the water temperature to at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit – this is the temperature at which mosquito larvae will die.
You should also keep in mind that raising the water temperature will also affect any fish or other aquatic life in your pool, pond, or lake, so be sure to consider them when making your decision.
If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to speak with a professional before taking action.
Utilizing Commercial Products
If you’re not able to maintain a high enough temperature on your own, there are commercial products available that will do the job for you.
These products are usually added in the form of tablets or granules that dissolve in the water and release heat.
There are a few commercial products available that can be used to increase the high temperature in water and kill mosquito larvae.
Some of these products include Mosquito Dunks, Mosquito Bits, and Thermal-Larvicide. These products are added to the water in the form of tablets or granules that dissolve and release heat.
Mosquito Dunks are one of the most popular commercial products used to kill mosquito larvae.
They are made with a naturally occurring bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI), which is deadly to mosquito larvae but harmless to people, pets, wildlife, and plants.
Mosquito Bits are another popular commercial product used to kill mosquito larvae. They contain the same naturally occurring bacterium as Mosquito Dunks (BTI), but in a granular form that is easier to apply.
Thermal-Larvicide is a newer product on the market that uses heat to kill mosquito larvae. It is a white powder that is added to water, where it dissolves and releases heat.
Thermal-Larvicide is effective at killing mosquito larvae at all stages of development, including eggs.
Final Thoughts
There are many different products available to kill mosquito larvae, so be sure to do some research to find the best one for your needs.
Remember, the temperature is key! If you can maintain a high enough temperature, you will be able to kill mosquito larvae.
Commercial products are also available that will do the job for you. So, don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer fun – take action and get rid of them today!
