Mosquitoes in Atlanta are rather awful to deal with. You’ve probably bitten at least a time or two, and you know just how annoying these mosquitoes bites can be. Yes, they are itchy and often get red and swell up, but they are also dangerous.
However, when thinking about mosquitoes in Atlanta, you probably only think of the adult mosquitoes that do the biting. But, mosquito larva is key if you want to understand how mosquitoes become a problem. In this guide, you’ll learn about mosquito life cycles and why it’s important to control mosquitoes at all stages. You’ll also get tips on how to get effective Atlanta pest control for mosquitoes.
From Larvae To Dangerous: The Mosquito Life Cycle
To understand why mosquitoes are so prevalent, it’s essential to know about their life cycle. First, the females will lay their eggs after consuming a blood meal. She then lays the eggs on or near water, and usually, she will lay over 200 eggs.
Next, the eggs hatch, and the larvae live in the water for more than a week. They hang upside down just under the surface and breathe through a small tube, and the larvae are called “wrigglers.” They look like a mix between worms and tadpoles. The larvae eat things like algae and plankton.
Then, the mosquitoes turn into a pupa. These are sometimes known as “tumblers.” They are also found near the water’s surface, and they use a small casing to turn into adults. This process usually takes around one to four days.
Common Mosquito Breeding Places
To have effective mosquito control, it’s crucial to eradicate breeding places for mosquitoes. Targeting the areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs can be easier and more effective because mosquito adults fly around and are more challenging to pinpoint.
Overall, mosquitoes will look for areas with standing water to lay their eggs. They like ponds and lakes, but they can also lay their eggs near rivers and canals. This means that mosquitoes can be drawn to standing water and water features around your property, but they can also be expected in these specific areas if you live near a river or lake.
Practical Ways To Remove Mosquito Breeding Spots Around Your Property
While the best way to prevent mosquitoes is with help from the pest control experts at Tuxedo Mosquito Control, you can also take some steps on your own to deter them. You can focus on removing places where mosquitoes might reproduce around the property. Here are some specific steps you can take:
Make sure that rainwater can drain properly, so it doesn’t pool.
Remove any standing water.
If you have water features like hot tubs and pools, ensure they are kept clean and treated with the proper chemicals.
It’s also a good idea to keep your yard trimmed as mosquitoes will rest in the shade of trees and leaves during the day.
The Most Effective Mosquito Control For Atlanta Properties
If you’re dealing with mosquitoes, reach out to the residential pest control team at Tuxedo Mosquito Control for help. We can reduce mosquitoes populations by targeting these pests at all stages of their life cycle. We will assess your property and apply treatments to areas where mosquitoes often hang out and lay their eggs, as this is the best way to keep mosquitoes from staying around. Contact us today to learn more about mosquito control.