When it comes to mosquitoes, it’s not uncommon to have several questions about this pest, such as wondering how to keep mosquitoes away and if there are any natural ways to repel mosquitoes. To help you put your worries to rest, our article answers Atlanta’s most commonly asked questions about mosquitoes.
What's The Difference Between A Mosquito And A Fly In Atlanta?
It is common for certain types of flies to be confused for mosquitoes in the Atlanta area. There are several flies that look like mosquitoes, such as crane flies, mayflies, and midges. While most of these flies that look like mosquitoes are approximately the same size and appearance as mosquitoes, there are some differences to look out for.
First, only mosquitoes in Atlanta will bite humans and mammals to consume blood (and only the female mosquitoes do this). Mosquitoes have a long needle-shaped proboscis on their mouth for this purpose, whereas most flies do have a proboscis in this shape.
Flies will generally secrete digestive juices onto a food source and then consume it, while mosquitoes will not do this, as they penetrate with their proboscis to consume blood or flower nectar (their primary food source).
Additionally, mosquitoes require areas of standing water to lay their eggs in and reproduce. Certain flies can reproduce in dirty, stagnant water areas, but they may also use waste piles or areas filled with trash and organic matter to lay their eggs in.
How Far Can The Mosquitoes In Atlanta Travel?
In general, mosquitoes don't usually fly very far away from their breeding grounds. Most species will only move a few hundred feet away, something that makes an infestation on your property problematic. The mosquitoes will always be buzzing around your yard and perpetuating their lifecycle in the same area.
Certain mosquito species may fly up to seven miles from their breeding ground when conditions are right. Additionally, most mosquito species cannot fly more than one and a half miles per hour.
What Diseases Do Mosquitoes In Atlanta Spread?
Mosquitoes are well-known for their ability to transmit diseases through their bites. In some cases, the diseases you can get from mosquitoes may be serious and require medical attention; the more significant an infestation you have on your Atlanta property, the more risk of serious illness there is.
The diseases you can get from mosquitoes include:
- West Nile virus
- Zika
- Chikungunya virus
- Dengue virus
- Malaria
- Yellow fever
- Encephalitis
Suppose you or a family member experiences symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle, and joint pain, rash, vomiting, or diarrhea after being bitten by a mosquito. In that case, you should be seeking medical attention right away to address these issues.
How Do I Keep Mosquitoes Away From Atlanta Yard?
Learning how to keep mosquitoes away is essential for Atlanta property owners. There are several natural ways to repel mosquitoes, such as planting citronella grass or lavender in your yard, removing standing water, and investing in study window and door screens. Still, the best thing to get rid of mosquitoes is professional mosquito control.
The experts at Tuxedo Mosquito Control will be able to help you eliminate any mosquito infestation on your property and ensure that your yard and home stays protected from this pest. This makes it possible to enjoy your home free of mosquito bites and pesky buzzing insects.
Contact Tuxedo Mosquito Control today for more advice and assistance.