Atlanta's warm, bright summers may be perfect for cookouts and afternoons by the pool, but what about the mosquitoes? Nobody wants to spend their vacation riddled in bug bites or swatting at mosquitoes, and you don't have to – here are four surprising facts that will help you know a little bit more about mosquitoes in Atlanta.
Fact #1: Mosquitoes Love Carbon Dioxide
Some pests may pick their targets by sight or sound, but the carbon dioxide you emit when breathing is what draws Atlanta mosquitoes to you. While this isn't the only way mosquitoes identify people, it is a major one.
People who emit more carbon dioxide than others – like people exercising and breathing heavily or someone who's overweight – tend to be magnets for mosquito bites.
Fact #2: Mosquitoes Are Among The World's Deadliest Animals
Picture the world's deadliest animal, and you might think of lions or grizzly bears, but it's actually the tiny mosquito. These pests may not have big teeth or razor-sharp claws, but they do carry and transmit a variety of diseases. For this reason, disease-ridden mosquito bites cause more deaths across the world than any other animal.
Not all mosquitoes carry diseases, but the risk is always there. Some of the most common mosquito-borne diseases that you may contract from these insects include:
- Zika virus
- West Nile virus
- Dengue fever
- Yellow fever
- Malaria
- Chikungunya virus
If you begin to experience symptoms like fever, nausea or vomiting, or muscle pain after a mosquito bite, you should seek medical attention promptly.
Fact #3: There Are A lot of Different Mosquito Species
With 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, these pests dominate almost every continent – including the United States' very own Atlanta, Georgia. Not all of these species live in Atlanta, but for local residents, you're likely to encounter these three types:
- Asian tiger mosquitoes: Also called Aedes mosquitoes, these insects are associated with the dangerous Zika virus and are most common in southern cities like Atlanta.
- Anopheles mosquitoes: You can find these mosquitoes in every state, and that includes Georgia. While they're at risk of transmitting heartworms to dogs, they can also carry malaria as well.
- Culex mosquitoes: Carrying the West Nile virus, Culex mosquitoes are most common during the evening hours.
Though not all mosquitoes in Atlanta carry disease, some do. If you put yourself in a situation where you suffer many mosquito bites, you're at a higher risk of contracting an unwanted illness. Fortunately, the experts at Tuxedo Mosquito Control can help.
Fact #4: Professional Mosquito Control Keeps The Mosquitoes Away In Atlanta
You may think the only thing capable of warding mosquitoes off is a powerful bug spray, but this isn't true. The most effective way to rid your property of mosquitoes is with professional help from Tuxedo Mosquito Control.
Not only are we the trusted choice for mosquito control in Atlanta and surrounding areas, but we've also been serving Atlanta's residents for more than two decades. If you're finding that mosquitoes are a big problem on your property, there's only one true solution – contact us at Tuxedo Mosquito Control. We offer both one-time and recurring mosquito control services to significantly reduce the mosquito population on your property. Contact us today to learn more or to request a free quote.