- Body and wing veins are covered with scales.
- Measure around 1/8 - 3/8 inches long.
- Piercing lengthened mouthpart called a proboscis.
- Slender, elongated body with feathery antennae.
- Some species have green, blue, or white markings.
- They have six legs (long, thin legs).
- Vary in color from grey to black.
Now that we know what we’re looking for, why should mosquitoes cause concern exactly? We’re all familiar with the itchy bites that mosquitoes give off, but do we know what’s going on underneath the surface?
The fact is that mosquitoes are vector pests, meaning they can pick up and transmit disease between hosts. If you get bitten by an infected mosquito, you’re exposed to all kinds of vector-borne illnesses. Some of the most common mosquito-borne conditions include:
- Chikungunya
- Dengue
- Encephalitis
- Malaria
- Tularemia
- West Nile virus
- Yellow fever
- Zika virus
Factors That Might Attract Mosquitoes In Atlanta
To avoid these conditions, it’s vital to be proactive in your mosquito control efforts. So, what is it that attracts mosquitoes to your property in the first place? Mosquitoes are attracted to the skin of their potential food source. Humans, for instance, produce carbon dioxide through their body heat and exhalation, so this is a way for mosquitoes to track down their meals.
Human skin produces chemicals that draw mosquitoes in. Some people produce more of this chemical than others, making some of us more vulnerable to mosquito bites. Lactic acid, for example, is a big mosquito attractant. Also, people with the O blood type are said to be more attractive to mosquitoes than those with type A or type B.
Conducive Conditions
Many conditions throughout your yard may be conducive to mosquito activity. Here are some of the most common and ways to keep them in check:
- Standing water is one of the most common attractants to be wary of. If there is excess moisture throughout your yard and water begins to accumulate, you are more likely to experience mosquito activity. You should clear away all sources of standing or stagnant water. Say there’s an overturned tire in your yard, or an old bowl of pet water, or plant pots that have gathered water after a rainfall – these are all places where water collects. Most of a mosquito’s lifecycle occurs in water, so they find water sources and lay their eggs in them.
- Mosquitoes use water as a breeding site; they can’t reproduce without it. They reproduce very quickly, so once they lay their eggs, it won’t be long before you have an infestation on your hands. So, it’s crucial to eliminate all sources of standing water. Be mindful of water collection in sandboxes, wagons, toys, downspouts, and gutters. Remove overturned toys and tires where pools of water have formed, and be sure to clean out birdbaths and fountains. Also, make sure your gutters stay clear so that water can drain properly and avoid building up.
- Another conducive condition throughout your yard is overgrown vegetation. Mosquitoes prefer cool, damp areas, so the foliage on your property is the perfect location. They hang out around shrubs and bushes, feeding on plant nectar (when they’re not feeding on blood, of course). They like tall grass and garden plants, making your yard very enticing to them. Keep trees and hedges trimmed, and make sure there is no yard debris around your property. When bushes have overgrown and piles of debris have accumulated, you give mosquitoes more of an opportunity to breed and nest throughout your yard.
For the best mosquito protection in the Atlanta area, the best thing to do is reach out to the pros at Tuxedo Mosquito Control. Our mosquito control and prevention services give local property owners ongoing protection from these vector pests. We offer a complete line of mosquito misting and spray services that can be scheduled regularly or on a one-time basis for special events. Call today to learn more.
