Cold Snap → Bite Surge: Why Bugs Hit Harder After Extreme Cold

If this winter felt unusually cold, you’re not imagining it. Large parts of the U.S. — including Florida — experienced sharp cold snaps that slowed outdoor activity and gave many people hope that mosquito and no-see-um season might be lighter this year.

Unfortunately, science tells a different story.

In many cases, bite and sting risk actually increases after an extreme cold spell, especially once temperatures rebound. Here’s why.

Cold Weather Pauses Bugs — It Rarely Eliminates Them

Most biting pests are remarkably good at surviving cold.

  • Mosquitoes overwinter as eggs or larvae in standing water, damp soil, or protected containers

  • No-see-ums (biting midges) survive as larvae in moist organic matter, marsh edges, and coastal soils

  • Ticks shelter in leaf litter, soil, or on animal hosts

A cold snap may kill some exposed adults, but the majority of the population survives in protected life stages. Cold weather mainly pauses activity — it doesn’t reset the season.

The “Compressed Season” Effect (Why Bites Feel Worse)

Here’s where things get interesting.

After an extreme cold spell, conditions often shift quickly:

  • Temperatures rebound

  • Humidity rises

  • Rain and runoff create standing water

  • People head back outdoors all at once

This creates what entomologists often call a compressed emergence window.

Instead of insects emerging gradually over weeks, eggs hatch and adults emerge at the same time. Hungry insects + sudden warmth + available hosts = intense biting pressure.

The result?

Not necessarily more bugs overall — but more bites per day.

What Happens After Cold by Pest Type

Mosquitoes

Cold weather slows adult activity, but eggs survive freezing temperatures surprisingly well. Once water warms, mass hatching begins. Female mosquitoes emerge needing blood meals immediately, leading to sudden, noticeable spikes in biting.

No-See-Ums (Biting Midges)

In coastal and marshy areas, no-see-ums rebound fast after cold snaps. Larvae survive underground, and once warmth and moisture return, emergence can be explosive, especially in calm, humid conditions.

Ticks

Ticks don’t disappear in cold weather — they go dormant. When temperatures rise above roughly 40–45°F, ticks become active again and quest aggressively for hosts, increasing early-season exposure.

Stinging Insects

Cold forces colonies deeper underground. Once conditions improve, insects become more active and defensive as they rebuild, increasing sting encounters during early spring activity.

Why This Effect Is Stronger in Florida

Florida’s climate amplifies the Cold Snap → Bite Surge effect:

  • Cold periods are brief, not sustained

  • Warmth returns quickly

  • Humidity remains high

  • Water is readily available

Instead of wiping out pests, Florida cold snaps usually create this cycle:

Pause → Sudden Warm-Up → Heavy Biting Pressure

That’s why many Floridians notice bites worsening shortly after a cold stretch ends.

What This Means Going Into Spring

If temperatures rise quickly and rainfall follows, expect:

  • Early mosquito activity

  • Strong no-see-um pressure in coastal and inland wet areas

  • Tick activity resuming sooner than expected

Waiting until bugs are already biting often means you’re reacting instead of preventing.

Be Ready Before the Surge Hits

Cold weather doesn’t end bug season — it loads it.

Understanding the Cold Snap → Bite Surge effect helps explain why protection matters before bugs are obvious. When insects emerge all at once, having a reliable, skin-friendly repellent on hand can make the difference between enjoying the outdoors and avoiding it.

PESKY® Products are designed for exactly these conditions — when biting pressure rises fast and you need protection that works without harsh chemicals.

Bottom Line

An extreme cold spell may feel like relief, but once warmth returns, bite risk often increases — especially in Florida. Preparing early is the smartest way to stay comfortable outdoors this season.