While the peak of mosquito season can last five to six months in Atlanta, your yard is susceptible to these annoying and dangerous pests all year long – but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what Atlanta homeowners should know about the lifecycle of the common mosquito, how mosquitoes are dangerous to you, what attracts mosquitoes to humans and yards, and why pest control in Atlanta is the best way to get rid of them.
The Life Cycle Of The Common Mosquito
Georgia tends to be one of the worst states for mosquitoes, and while these critters may live less than a month, their bodies go through four different stages of development during this time, including:
Egg
An adult female mosquito lays her eggs on the surface of standing water, which can be anything from a birdbath, pond, or even an old tire in your yard. If the conditions are right, the eggs will hatch into larvae within forty-eight hours of being laid.
Larvae
As larvae, mosquitoes live in the water as they develop. They’ll still need to return to the surface to breathe, but they feed on microorganisms and other organic matter in the standing water. Mosquito larvae will also molt and shed their skin four times until they become a pupa.
Pupa
Mosquitoes only spend about two days in the pupal stage, and while they still respond to light and other stimuli, their bodies are still resting and preparing to become adults.
Adult
Once their skin has split during the pupal stage, mosquitoes are adults with fully-formed wings. As adults, it will still take a few days before mosquitoes are ready to mate or start looking for a blood meal.
Mosquitoes Are Dangerous In Multiple Ways
Many people consider mosquitoes to be a nuisance, but did you know that they’re also dangerous? Mosquitoes can harm you in multiple ways, such as:
- Mosquitoes can carry and transmit dangerous diseases like Zika virus, West Nile virus, Yellow fever, Dengue fever, and more to humans.
- Some mosquitoes may also carry parasites, like heartworm, which they can transmit to dogs or livestock that they bite.
- Some people also have Skeeter syndrome, an allergy to mosquito bites that can cause full-body, sensitive reactions.
- Mosquitoes leave itchy, red bumps behind when they bite you. If you’re itching the bite and bacteria gets into the wound, there’s a chance you may develop a secondary skin infection.
Keep in mind that not all mosquitoes carry diseases or viruses, and getting bitten by a mosquito doesn’t guarantee you’ll end up with a mosquito-borne illness. However, the risk of catching a disease is always possible.
Factors That Attract Mosquitoes To Your Property
What attracts mosquitoes to people and Atlanta yards? Here are the factors that could be luring these pests to your property without you knowing:
- Standing water: Mosquitoes need a source of standing water to lay their eggs in, so they’re naturally attracted to properties with standing water sources. These areas can include anything from a decorative pond, birdbath, puddles, or any yard debris capable of holding water after rainstorms.
- Flowering plants: Besides blood, mosquitoes feed on nectar. Bright, flowering plants may appeal to mosquitoes, including water lilies, bamboo, and water lettuce.
- Tall grass and weeds: When they aren’t flying around, mosquitoes need a place to rest, and tall grass and weeds tend to be perfect.
What scents do mosquitoes hate? Some natural scents that may repel mosquitoes include peppermint, basil, lavender, catnip, and eucalyptus. Planting natural mosquito repellants, maintaining your lawn, and getting rid of standing water can help make your yard look less attractive to mosquitoes.
Call Tuxedo Mosquito Control For The Best Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes in Georgia can be a constant problem throughout the year. Although you can take steps to limit attraction to your yard or home, the best way to control mosquitoes is by working with Tuxedo Mosquito Control. Serving Atlanta, Nashville, and Charleston, we’ve been the trusted choice for mosquito control and management for more than twenty years. Not only are our treatments tough on mosquitoes, but they’re still gentle on the environment and your Atlanta yard.
Suppose you’re constantly fending off mosquitoes on your property or need to keep them away for a special event. In that case, we’re only a call away: contact us today at Tuxedo Mosquito Control to learn more about how our mosquito control works or to request a free quote for our services.
What Tuxedo Mosquito Customers Are Saying
I would highly recommend Tuxedo Mosquito. Very professional organization. Installation was quick and service has been great. My wife, who seems to be a "mosquito magnet" spent the entire summer in our backyard without getting bit. Money well spent
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