There are a number of reasons why mosquitoes thrive around East Cobb properties. For one, they can stay active almost year-round in the hot, humid climate Georgia provides, and they’re seemingly everywhere. There’s only so much you can manipulate on that front. For two, being in the air makes them hard to catch and kill. For three, you might just end up getting more bites if you try to go after them yourself.
When mosquitoes nibble on people, their bites leave bumps that are red and itchy. Unfortunately, that’s the least of the issues with these bugs. Since they suck blood from both people and animals, they can transmit a number of diseases as they move from one to the other.
Given the annoyance mosquitoes cause and the potential health hazards they pose, having mosquito control in East Cobb is paramount. Since managing these insects is so challenging, it’s always beneficial for homeowners to learn how best to repel mosquitoes. In this blog, we’ll take a look at how to identify mosquitoes on your East Cobb property, threats they could pose, and how to put a stop to them for good.
How To Identify A Mosquito
If you’ve lived in East Cobb for very long, you probably know what a mosquito looks like. On average they are very small, six-legged flying insects, with their most notable feature being their long proboscis they use to suck blood.
There are three types of mosquitoes commonly found in our region:
- Aedes “tiger” mosquitoes
- Anopheles mosquitoes
- Culex mosquitoes
Aedes “tiger” mosquitoes are floodwater mosquitoes that are distinguished by their black and white striped coloration, resembling that of a tiger. They are most often found around the damp soil left after flooding, or around containers in the yard that have been left out, allowing them to collect rainwater.
Anopheles mosquitoes are slightly smaller than Aedes mosquitoes, and light brown in coloration. Unlike most types of mosquitoes, Anopheles mosquitoes actually prefer to lay their eggs in clean water rather than stagnant water. For this reason, this type of mosquito is common to properties that are located nearby marshes, swamps, ponds, and even slow-flowing rivers.
Finally, Culex mosquitoes are gray in coloration with scales that can range in color from white, silver, green, or even iridescent blue. These types of mosquitoes are notable for their tendency to make makeshift “rafts” on the surface of stagnant water that they use to lay their eggs inside.
Any mosquitoes that try to bite you are female; the reason they bite you is because they need your blood for egg production. The itching and inflammation that follows result from an insect saliva allergy most humans have. Swarms on your property are likely to be seen near standing pools or greenery because water helps mosquitoes survive and procreate. Once they hatch, larvae feed on micoorganisms in the water
Why Mosquitoes Are Considered So Dangerous
The problem with mosquitoes is that they don’t avoid people and animals that have diseases. If they drink the blood of a diseased person or animal, they could easily pass the condition onto you or your family. Some of the many diseases they can transmit include malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile virus, dengue fever, Zika virus, and more.
While mosquitoes are not as big a threat in Georgia as in other parts of the world, they can still present health hazards to you, your family, and your pets, making them a pest that’s best avoided if at all possible.
Factors That Attract Mosquitoes To Your Yard
Mosquitoes are attracted to properties for two primary reasons: the presence of stagnant water they can use to breed, and the presence of animals they can feed on. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or have outdoor pets, don’t be surprised if their presence attracts mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes will be attracted to any objects or structures around your yard that have been left out to collect rainwater, such as:
- Buckets
- Trash cans
- Flowerpots
- Birdbaths
- Toys
- Pet bowls
- Old tires
- Wheelbarrows
- Grills or grill covers
If you’ve had one or more of the above objects sitting out in your yard for an extended period of time, don’t be surprised if mosquitoes make it their new home.
The Most Successful Mosquito Control For Your Yard
At Tuxedo Mosquito Control, we have specially designed solutions for mosquitoes. Our automated and tankless misting system, the MistAway Gen III+, is entirely safe and effective. The insecticide permeates your yard in intervals, and after a few days, mosquitoes will be eliminated. You can also have repetitive sprays or a single application. Get a free quote with a call today!