Mosquitoes in Georgia
Mosquitoes pose a greater threat to human health and existence than any other animal. They are an annoyance because of the itchy bites they leave behind. However, they also transmit many dangerous diseases, like malaria, West Nile, and Zika Virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquito bites result in the deaths of more than 1 million people every year, with the majority of these deaths due to malaria. There are about 200 different species of mosquitoes found throughout the United States, with habitats ranging from deserts at or below sea level to mountain meadows with elevations of 10,000+ feet.
Mosquito Habitat
Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant or slow-moving water, so they are commonly found around marshes and lakes. As they only need a half-inch of standing water to breed, mosquitoes are often found around homes, in kiddie pools, metal buckets, flower pots, and any object that collects rainwater or excess water from irrigation systems. This underscores the importance of homeowners regularly checking their property for containers that could be collecting water, which provides a safe harbor for mosquito populations to breed and grow.
Mosquito Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Most mosquito species require a blood meal before they can reproduce a batch of eggs. Many people and animals are bitten by mosquitoes with no side effects except the typical itchy welt. Most people will see their mosquito bites heal up with time, but the diseases these insects can transmit can be serious. Most people infected with mosquito-transmitted viruses show no symptoms or only mild, flu-like symptoms that may not result in a visit to the doctor. However, severe symptoms following infection occur in a small percentage of people. Mosquitoes are also responsible for transmitting heartworm in dogs.
Mosquitoes are dangerous pests and an infestation needs to be handled by an expert. If you need help with a mosquito problem, always contact a professional mosquito exterminator.