Another humid summer here in Georgia has us all trying to move as little as possible. But right when we get comfortable, the mosquitoes swarm in to nip away at us. Wouldn’t it be nice to know the secrets to Roswell mosquito control? Fortunately, we at Tuxedo Mosquito Control know all about these pests, and we're here to help you enjoy a mosquito-free summer.
The Life Cycle of Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are busiest at 50°F, which can be as early as March. Their proliferation can persist even into November, with each new generation living for less than a month. These pests have four stages in their life cycle:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Adult
Adults lay their eggs on the surface of water or on damp soil. Within 48 hours, larvae will hatch from these eggs, molting and growing larger over the course of seven to 14 days. At the pupa stage, the larva takes two days to turn into a pesky buzzing adult.
Why Mosquito Population Control Is So Important
Mosquito bites can be extremely irritating. They can itch profusely, bleed, and take seven days to finally go away, not to mention the number of bites a group of them can accomplish in just a few minutes.
Aside from being the most prominent annoyance in the middle of the year, these pests also spread disease. The list of diseases caused by mosquitoes includes dengue, malaria, encephalitis viruses, and West Nile virus. But in Georgia, there are four main diseases to watch out for:
- West Nile virus
- Eastern equine encephalitis
- La Crosse virus
- Saint Louis encephalitis
These viral infections are carried inside the mosquito and then transmitted through only one bite. Symptoms of these diseases include fever, headache, nausea, and fatigue that can last for months. Luckily, researchers have never found a case of COVID-19 carrying over from a mosquito bite.
Mosquito population control relies on homeowners themselves to get rid of mosquitoes. If everyone makes an effort to protect their personal environment, the population will decrease immensely.
Ways To Make Your Yard Less Appealing To Breeding Mosquitoes
The main thing to remember about mosquitoes is how much they rely on water to make new offspring. We at Tuxedo Mosquito Control can offer some suggestions to protect your yard or garden:
- Remove standing water.
- Clean up debris and trim plants or grass.
- Find and fix leaking pipes.
- Empty and refill necessary water such as pet bowls.
- Clean your gutters.
- Maintain your pool.
- Fill in any spots that can collect water with sand.
- Grow plants that keep mosquitoes away.
Eggs will hatch in 48 hours, and larvae develop over a week. This gives you plenty of time to stop them by emptying or drying up all standing water. Small nooks can be all larva need to grow, so make sure you sop up even the smallest divots.
For pools, chlorine and freshwater filters will deter mosquitos from laying their eggs. If you’re a gardener, there are plants that naturally repel these insects. Lavender and basil are effective herbs, and marigolds and geraniums are flowers that keep mosquitoes away. Lastly, even the best bug zapper for mosquitoes isn’t going to stop the problem completely. These may catch a few adult mosquitoes but won’t stop them from breeding new generations.
The Secret To Total Mosquito Control For Roswell Homeowners
The main secret for personal mosquito control is to think about it as two efforts: fighting larvae and fighting the adults. As far as the unseen larvae go, be sure to eliminate all sources of water, or empty and refill them as needed. Adult mosquitoes, however, need more targeted control.
Ultimately, the secret to getting rid of any overwhelming mosquito problem is to hire professionals. Here at Tuxedo Mosquito Control, we have extensive specialized experience eliminating mosquitoes in the local environment. Our mosquito control services can restore your enjoyment of your yard again, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us.