The Environmental Purpose Of Mosquitoes
Believe it or not, mosquitoes in Georgia have a purpose! Although people, birds, reptiles, and animals are food sources for mosquitoes, they are food sources for various kinds of fish! Gambusia Affinis love to eat mosquito larvae floating on ponds; other mosquito-eating fish are goldfish, catfish, bass, bluegill, and guppies. In addition to fish, bats are mammals that enjoy eating mosquitoes. Amphibians enjoy mosquito larvae and mature mosquitoes, like salamanders, toads, and frogs. Dragonflies are mosquito-eating insects, and reptiles like the red-eared slider turtle enjoy a mosquito dinner. Shockingly, there is a mosquito species that eats other mosquitoes!
Mosquitoes are not only food sources for various animals, reptiles, and insects, but another positive role they play is that of being pollinators. Only female mosquitoes bite humans, and they bite when they are ready to produce eggs. When they are not creating eggs, they get their energy from plant juices and nectar, like their male counterparts, becoming accidental pollinators.
Mosquitoes Are More Deadly Than Any Other Animal
Due to the massive amounts of mosquitoes and the variety of diseases mosquitoes spread, they are deadlier than other animals. On a worldwide basis, mosquitoes are the most deadly animal because they spread malaria, which according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), was responsible for over 600,000 deaths in 2020. In the United States, there were 2,000 cases of malaria reported in 2020, but as long as the person seeks treatment, we can stop the disease from causing death.
In addition to malaria (a disease caused by a parasite), dengue, chikungunya, tularemia, encephalitis, and West Nile are viruses spread by mosquitoes. Of these viruses, various versions of encephalitis can be deadly due to brain and spinal cord swelling. If you feel sick after receiving mosquito bites, seek medical attention immediately.
How To Identify And Remove Factors That Attract Mosquitoes
To get rid of mosquitoes, you need to know that the following attracts them to your Marietta property:
- Stagnant water in ponds, baby pools, large puddles, and clogged gutters
- Damp, shaded leaf piles in the yard
- Wood piles on the ground retain moisture
- Leaking outdoor faucets
- Overgrown grass and unkept areas of vegetation
- Poorly draining ditches
Natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes begin with providing proper drainage on the property, pruning shrubs and trees to allow for maximum sunlight and airflow, fixing leaking faucets, and maintaining a clean yard.
Professional Assistance Is The Best Mosquito Management Solution
The best way to control mosquitoes is to partner with our mosquito technicians from Tuxedo Mosquito Control. Our highly-trained technicians will locate breeding hot spots on your property and identify mosquito attractions. We will create a plan to create a barrier around your property based on the habits of the mosquitoes and your preferences and needs. We can do a one-time spray for immediate results or use our innovative misting systems to provide continuous relief year-round. Contact us today and get a free quote!