Experts suggest that more than 3,000 mosquito species exist worldwide, and more than 60 various species exist here in Georgia. Mosquitoes are flying pests found primarily in outdoor areas with standing freshwater such as ponds, lakes, or swamps. Because of their potential for spreading disease, mosquitoes are a significant public health concern in most countries.
Why do mosquitoes bite you? Only the female mosquitoes bite because they need the protein found in the blood to generate healthy eggs. Mosquitoes use a unique mouthpart called a proboscis for penetrating the skin and extracting blood. Studies indicate that mosquitoes are particularly attracted to pregnant women, apparently because they have an increased body temperature and emit more carbon dioxide.
What season do mosquitoes come out? Mosquitoes thrive during the warmest summer months of the year. In Georgia, mosquitoes may emerge during the months of March or April, as long as the temperature exceeds 60 degrees or so.
Are you struggling with too many mosquitoes in your yard area? The recommended course of action involves speaking with a Lawrenceville pest control professional. They will have the proper qualifications and equipment for handling problems with mosquitoes in Georgia. In the pest control industry today, many newer products and treatment options are recently delivering excellent results.
Why Do We Need Mosquitoes?
Are mosquitoes important creatures in nature? Despite their bad reputations as leading vectors that spread harmful diseases, mosquitoes do play a role in the overall ecosystem. Male mosquitoes consume nectar, meaning that they assist with pollinating various plant species. Mosquitoes also place a role in the food chain, as fish consume them in larvae form and adult mosquitoes are food sources for birds, frogs, lizards, and spiders.
Is Every Mosquito Bite Dangerous?
When the female mosquito bites, a human is exposed to her saliva, which usually generates some form of mildly adverse reaction that creates a bump, redness, itchy, or irritated patch of skin. Although these represent relatively minor symptoms, excessively scratching the itchy area of the skin may open a wound, creating opportunities for a secondary infection.
Some people, including children, might have more serious allergic reactions such as a fever or hives that require some medical assistance. Mosquitoes may also cause much more serious health concerns such as the West Nile virus, malaria, tularemia, and others.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites?
People will most likely encounter mosquitoes during the hot and humid summer months when engaging in outdoor activities. Some of the best preventative measures include:
- Avoid outdoor activities during the hours of the day, around dusk and dawn, when these pests are most active.
- Wear full-length pants and long-sleeved shirts when hiking or camping, which prevents mosquitoes from having direct access to the skin.
- Apply one of the various topical products that contain EPA-approved repellants, including DEET or picaridin.
- Remove objects from yard areas that hold water, such as tarps, kiddie pools, pots, buckets, old tires, etc.
- Keep gutter systems clean so that rainwater flows away from the structure.
- Change the water in birdbaths regularly, as they might contain developing mosquito eggs.
Remember the importance of educating children and others about the best practices for preventing mosquito bites and avoiding the potentially dangerous health concerns that may result.
What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes Around Your Yard?
Local professional pest control companies now have a variety of possible treatment options available for safely limiting the mosquito population in a given area. For example, the specialists with ProCare Pest Services use the In2Care Mosquito Trap system, which uses a larvicide that impacts the development of newly developing mosquitoes. Contact our office today for a consultation.