Running into the occasional mosquito is no surprise. Still, if you find that these pests are constantly hanging around your Atlanta property, something could be attracting them there – even if you don’t realize it. Here’s what Atlanta residents should know about mosquitoes, what attracts them to some people and properties more than others, and how you can protect your home from these dangerous pests.
Are Atlanta Mosquitoes An Insect?
Like other insects, mosquitoes have an exoskeleton, three-part body, three pairs of legs, compound eyes, and a pair of antennae. While mosquitoes share their insect classification with some nuisance pests, that doesn’t mean mosquitoes are not dangerous. These pests feed on the blood of both people and animals, and what makes them so dangerous is diseases they can transmit to humans.
Not every single mosquito carries disease, but some do. Some of the mosquito-borne diseases that these insects can transmit include:
- West Nile virus
- Malaria
- Dengue fever
- Zika virus
- Chikungunya virus
With this list of potential infections, mosquitoes are small but far from harmless.
What Attracts Atlanta Mosquitoes To Some People More Than Others?
Ever feel like you’re constantly ending up with mosquito bites, even if the people around you seem unaffected? Well, it’s not a coincidence – mosquitoes can be selective about who they bite, and certain factors make them more attracted to some people than others.
You may be likely to draw mosquitoes in for the following reasons:
- Exercising: If you’re jogging or doing physical labor outside, a mosquito’s sensitive nose can sniff out the excess sweat.
- Wearing dark clothing: Mosquitoes also use their eyes to find potential targets, and darker clothing, like grays, blacks, and reds, can stick out like a sore thumb against the horizon. To avoid this, opt for whites, pastels, and other lighter clothing.
- Blood type: Mosquitoes like certain blood types more than others. If you’re Type O, you may be a mosquito magnet.
- Overweight: Carbon dioxide helps mosquitoes identify people, and larger individuals tend to exhale more carbon dioxide.
- Pregnant: People who are pregnant not only exhale more carbon dioxide but may also exude more body heat for mosquitoes to pick up too.
Big Factors That Attract Mosquitoes To Atlanta Properties
You may not be able to control every factor that makes you a mosquito magnet, but you can help reduce their presence around your property. Here are the major factors that attract mosquitoes to Atlanta properties:
- Standing water: Mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in standing water, so if your property has lots of puddles, birdbaths, or other sources of standing water, these pests may hang around more frequently.
- Flowering plants: Along with human blood, mosquitoes also love to eat nectar and may be drawn to brightly-colored flowers and plants.
- Tall weeds and bushes: Mosquitoes need a break from that scorching Atlanta sun, and they prefer to shelter in tall weeds and grass. Regularly keeping up with your landscaping can help you avoid giving mosquitoes a shady place to shelter.
The Best Mosquito Protection For Atlanta Properties
Your summer plans shouldn’t have to be derailed because you or your property is a magnet for mosquitoes. And, if you enlist the professional help of Tuxedo Mosquito Control, they won’t have to be.
We’ve been reducing mosquito populations around Atlanta properties for more than twenty years. If you’re constantly dealing with mosquitoes near your home, call us today at Tuxedo Mosquito Control to learn more about our mosquito control services.