Thankfully, mosquitoes are mostly outdoor pests, but like any other insect, they can get inside through holes in window screens and other openings. Once they get inside, they can be quite a nuisance, disturbing your sleep and your peace of mind. In the Atlanta area, the most common species can be more than a nuisance.
The Dangers of Georgia Mosquitoes
A common species of mosquito present in Atlanta and all over the United States is the Asian tiger mosquito. This species poses extreme health threats, such as:
- Eastern equine encephalitis
- Zika virus
- West Nile virus
- Chikungunya
- Dengue fever
While these diseases are rarer in the United States, mosquitoes kill over a million people every year with these serious infections. You must take these pests seriously, and it’s best to guard your home against them actively. Protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes is as easy as conducting a little bit of home maintenance.
How To Prevent Mosquitoes From Coming Indoors
One of the primary methods of prevention is maintaining your home to make it unattractive to pests. Proximity to food, water, and shelter are the only reasons pests enter your home, so eliminating these options should do the trick. To prevent mosquitoes from hanging around your property and then getting inside, try these tips:
- Maintain door and window screens and don’t leave windows or doors open.
- Eliminate standing water around the house by fixing leaking pipes and landscape that collects water. Empty and scrub any receptacles that contain water once a week and keep pools treated and circulating.
- Cover containers that store water or use mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito can fit through to cover them. Check septic tanks for cracks and cover open vents or pipes.
- Seal any cracks in the foundation or around the home with silicon-based caulk.
If you’ve already got mosquitoes indoors and just need to get some sleep, wear bright-colored long sleeves and pants and apply an insect repellent that contains picaridin over the clothing, avoiding the face and open skin wounds. Using a mosquito net over the bed and turning on the fans should also grant you some peace.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes
If you want to try natural solutions before calling professionals, there are a few things to try. Some plants that repel mosquitoes include:
- Citronella
- Lavender
- Garlic
- Eucalyptus
In diluted solutions, cinnamon oil, tea tree oil, and soybean oils have also proven effective natural mosquito repellents. If repellents aren’t working or are not available, DIY mosquito traps are available online that you can usually make with materials already in the house.
DIY methods may prove effective, but sometimes the problem is too big, or the favorable conditions in your home are too good to ignore.
Contact Tuxedo Mosquito Control For The Best In Mosquito Protection
There is no better way to keep mosquitoes at bay on your Atlanta property than with Tuxedo Mosquito Control. Our automated misters can be installed around the perimeter of your yard that sprays two to three times a day automatically and can be controlled with the push of a button on your iMistAway app. If you need a fast-acting spray service to prepare for an event, we can accommodate you with an in-person visit. In Atlanta, regular mosquito protection is essential to your health and safety. Call Tuxedo Mosquito Control or visit us online for a free yard evaluation.