You probably know that mosquitoes are flying insects that make going outside miserable. These pesky pests in Atlanta, Georgia can ruin the enjoyment of your yard, and they are, unfortunately, a problem throughout many months of the year.
While in places with a colder climate, mosquitoes are only a real problem in the summer, the mild climate and humidity in Georgia make our state an ideal place for mosquitoes to thrive. The area is very susceptible to mosquitoes, and they can be a problem to some degree throughout the year.
While you likely already know what mosquitoes look like, it’s good to have a refresher on how to identify them as they can look similar to other flying insects. You can identify mosquitoes in Atlanta by their generally grayish color, long and thin legs, and by nose-like appendage that the female uses to drink the blood of humans or animals.
Where Do Mosquitoes Go During Atlanta Winters?
There are actually thousands of species of mosquitoes. They all look somewhat similar, but they can vary in size and have various markings and coloration. So, what happens to these pests in the winter depends a lot on the individual species.
For some species, the female mosquito will lay her eggs early in the winter before any freezing temperatures set in, and she will then die after her reproductive instinct has been met. For other species, the female will look for shelter during the colder months and enter a dormant state called diapause.
So, when temperatures get cool enough, you will see a drop-off in mosquito activity even in Atlanta. However, this pause period isn’t as long here as it is in places with a longer, colder winter.
How To Prevent Mosquitoes Year-Round
Because the female mosquitoes either lay eggs before they die or just go dormant, it’s important to take steps to prevent these dangerous pests throughout the year. Even though you might not see these mosquitoes when it’s colder, they haven’t gone away for good. They will either come back in full force in the spring or the eggs they laid will begin to hatch.
Mosquitoes are also not a nuisance pest. They are one of the deadliest animals in the world as they can spread a whole host of mosquito-borne illnesses including the West Nile virus, encephalitis, Zika virus, and malaria. While not all of these illnesses are common in Atlanta, some of them are.
To protect your Atlanta property from mosquitoes, there are a couple of prevention steps you can take no matter what time of year it is. The first is to remove standing water from your property. Water is one of the biggest factors that attract mosquitoes. You can reduce this attraction by covering pools and hot tubs, ensuring drainage of rainwater, and removing things like water fountains. The second is keeping your yard maintained. Mosquitoes will often hide in vegetation, so make sure to regularly trim bushes, shrubs, and trees around your property.
What’s The Best Way To Protect Your Property From Mosquitoes?
While you can try to prevent mosquitoes, they are particularly difficult to control because of their large numbers and because they are so prevalent in the area. The only way to effectively reduce the number of mosquitoes around your Atlanta property is with help from the professional pest control experts at Tuxedo Mosquito Control.
We even offer free yard evaluations, so just give us a call at (678) 726-1825 to get started!