Everyone has encountered those little flying pests that invade beautiful summer evenings just as the sun sets and the day starts to cool in Atlanta Georgia. While mosquitoes are not threatening, they can be a nuisance and a health risk if not managed. Before reaching for the bug spray, consider the following information on your quest to win the summer mosquito battle.

Why Invest in Mosquito Control?

Even though certain diseases are no longer prevalent within the borders of the United States, there are still two very good reasons to control mosquito populations.

1. Reduce irritation – For allergic victims, severe reactions may have to be treated through emergency medical attention because the airway can close as part of the reaction to the mosquito bites. Even if the mosquito bite victim is not allergic to the chemicals within the mosquito’s saliva, infection can develop in sores that are left on the skin from a mosquito stinger.

• Outdoor businesses in Atlanta Georgia– If mosquitoes are left to multiply unchecked, people will avoid the area. Businesses in Atlanta Georgia that depend on outdoor activity to generate income can be impacted by large mosquito swarms that overwhelm the immediate area.
• Recreation areas in Atlanta Georgia– Public parks and trails in Atlanta Georgia can become unusable when mosquito swarms are allowed to multiply without any effort to correct the conditions that encourage breeding. These same areas can become disease ridden when mosquitoes are not challenged.

2. Control spread of disease – Around the world, mosquitoes are responsible for spreading malaria, yellow-fever and dengue-hemorrhagic fever. Since these diseases are rarely treated in developing countries, many people suffer and die from these diseases each year. In the United States, there are some diseases that are spread by mosquito bites during the warm months. Mosquito control reduces the expense of treating disease and can save the lives of valuable livestock and favorite pets. Encephalitis, dog heartworm, dengue, and West Nile virus are all transmitted through mosquito bites. Each of these diseases can cause death if left untreated.

What Facts are Needed to Control Mosquitoes in Atlanta Georgia

Adequate mosquito control is more than just spraying chemicals in the air. When appropriate information is gathered concerning the mosquito population, specific measures can be taken to address the adult population and remove the factors that encourage growth in the mosquito swarm.

1. Mosquito life stages – All mosquitoes live through the same four life-cycle stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The larval and pupal stages are lived in water. To control the mosquito population in a given area, all four stages must be addressed. The location of mosquitoes in each state must be noted.

2. Mosquito species present – Approximately 167 mosquito species belonging to 13 genera are living in the United States at the present time. While not every species is considered a health threat to people, each one is addressed with unique methods that must be used at the right time of year to have the greatest impact.

3. Breeding sites – Every natural feature in the area must be analyzed for possible mosquito infestation. Standing water from rainfall, drainage, or leaks from pipes must be addressed to gain control over the growth of the mosquito swarm in Atlanta Georgia.

Conditions that Promote Mosquito Proliferation

Mosquito eggs are laid in large groups, called rafts, in standing water. The most important element during the life of a mosquito is a water source where the second and third two stages of life, after hatching, can be completed. Warm weather will encourage eggs to hatch more quickly and undisturbed water allows mosquitoes to grow into adulthood and then fly away. Within days of emerging from the water environment, the adult mosquito will breed, and the cycle will begin again very rapidly.

Every rainstorm in Atlanta Georgia creates small puddles of water in every imaginable container and low-lying area. When homeowners and business owners in Atlanta Georgia spend time in the spring to remove debris from their property, the mosquitoes have more difficulty finding a place to lay eggs. Simply killing adult mosquitoes will never provide the upper hand over mosquito proliferation.

Methods of Mosquito Control in Atlanta Georgia

Most effort to control the growth of the mosquito population is focused on controlling mosquitoes in the larval stage of life. Since the larvae are unable to fly, the water where the mosquito larvae are found can be treated without impact on the surrounding environment. Various methods are used to stop the growth of the mosquito larvae prior to the pupal stage.

• Biological control – This method introduces natural enemies that will prey on, parasitize, or act against the mosquito’s hormonal systems, which will prevent adult development.
• Predator introduction – In areas of standing water that are present during warm months, small fish are introduced annually to these areas. Since these minnow species of fish multiply rapidly, multiple generations grow into adult fish, which can consume 100 mosquito larvae each on a daily basis.
• Source reduction – For public wetlands that border residential areas in Atlanta Georgia, the most effective way to control a mosquito population would be to modify the terrain to reduce the occurrence of standing water. This approach is not acceptable because of the impact on other species that depend on the water within the wetlands.
• Chemical control – Many people immediately think of aerosol sprays that kill adult mosquitoes, but many forms of mild chemicals are used to kill mosquito larvae in standing water without any environmental damage. When efforts to treat standing water are timed correctly, most larvae can be prevented from reaching the pupal stage of development.
• Adult mosquito control – Most municipalities strive to limit the efforts applied to control adult mosquito populations because of the cost. If the adult mosquito population reaches unacceptable levels around public parks and tourist areas, chemical sprays will be used during the late evening hours when mosquitoes are most active and winds are calm.

Actions Everyone Must Take to Control Mosquitoes

Even though a professional consultation is best for learning to control mosquitoes in Atlanta Georgia, there are some specific steps that can be taken to reduce the impact mosquitoes have on life.

1. Eliminate all standing water – Walk around the exterior of the home or business after a rainstorm and evaluate everywhere water is standing. Debris removal must be performed often enough to mitigate areas for water to settle. Notice where water stands in features that are meant to add beauty to the area. Even water features can contribute to the mosquito population if the water is not moving and there are no fish present to consume the larvae. Make notes of all the items that must be removed before the next storm.

2. Hire a mosquito control professional in Atlanta Georgia– Qualified professionals can address mosquito population control much more effectively because of their knowledge of the latest methods and products. Milder approaches will be used by a professional than someone who does not know the most effective control techniques.

3. Repair or replace screens – Prevent adult mosquitoes from entering living areas by inspecting every screen that covers a window or door opening into the home. Mark each tear with a colorful piece of tape and measure the amount of replacement screen that will be required to perform repairs. Set a date on the calendar when the repairs must be complete.

4. Limit exposure to adult mosquitoes – Certain summer evenings in Atlanta Georgia will present perfect conditions to be outdoors enjoying the weather, but those same evenings are most comfortable for adult mosquito swarms. If the mosquitoes greet you at the door as you step outdoors, go back indoors and avoid being exposed to these hungry pests.

5. Protect people from bites – If you will be visiting parks, tourist attractions, or any outdoor venue in Atlanta Georgia when adult mosquitoes will be present, wear long pants and sleeves. Apply a DEET-based mosquito repellant, but remove the DEET from all exposed immediately after returning indoors. If a swarm engulfs you, try to remain calm and stand very still, and the mosquitoes should leave the area in just a couple of minutes.