When you think of annoying insects, one of the first species that comes to mind is likely the mosquito. These flying insects get their blood meals from human and animal hosts, and this gives them a horrible reputation because they leave behind extremely itchy bites that can leave you scratching your skin for days.
However, mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance. They are also a dangerous pest because of their ability to spread disease. Because of the risks and just plain annoyance of mosquitoes, it’s important to know how to identify them and understand their behavior in order to protect your Atlanta, Georgia property.
Mosquito Appearance And Behavior
Mosquitoes have long, narrow bodies and thin legs that are rather long in proportion to their bodies. They are usually a gray color, but their markings can vary. While they look similar to other flying insects, one of the best ways to identify mosquitoes is by the skinny, needle-like appendage they have known as a proboscis. This is what they use to consume both nectar and blood. However, it’s actually only the female mosquito that consumes blood to get the protein she needs to lay her eggs.
Overall, mosquitoes search for two main factors. First, they need standing water as this is where they lay their eggs. Mosquitoes tend to gather around areas near lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, or even pools of water or hot tubs. Second, they prefer areas with shady vegetation as they will rest on leaves during the day before coming out at dusk.
Are Mosquitoes Really That Dangerous?
Most people are aware that mosquitoes can spread illnesses, but the number of diseases and fatalities they cause is rather staggering. They are considered the deadliest animal on the planet because they cause an estimated one million deaths per year. And, while some parts of the world deal with more cases of mosquito-borne illnesses than others, mosquitoes are a health risk no matter where you live.
Because they can spread diseases from animals to humans, they are particularly dangerous. Some of the many potentially deadly sicknesses mosquitoes can transmit include the West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, Zika virus, and others.
Five Mosquito Control Tips
In order to keep yourself and others safe, there are steps you can take to make your property less appealing to mosquitoes. Mainly, you should focus on removing standing water and keeping your yard maintained.
Here are five mosquito prevention steps to follow:
- Remove standing water from your property.
- Clean gutters to ensure that rainwater can drain.
- If you have water features like hot tubs or pools, keep them clean with cycled water to remove algae and another build-up.
- Plant things that deter mosquitoes, such as citronella and spearmint.
- Keep your shrubs, trees, and hedges trimmed.
These steps are a good first line of defense against being overrun with mosquitoes, however, even one mosquito on your property can be one too many.
The Sixth And Best Mosquito Control Tip
The final and most effective way to keep mosquitoes away from your Atlanta property is to get assistance from the experts at Tuxedo Mosquito Control. We have over 20 years of experience, and keeping mosquitos away from area homes and businesses is our specialty.
We provide ongoing mosquito misting systems as well as residential and commercial mosquito spray options. Just contact us today to request your free quote and keep your home or business protected from these dangerous pests.