Atlanta Mosquitoes: Best Control Tips for Homeowners

Atlanta, with its lush greenery and humid climate, is no stranger to pesky insects, especially atlanta mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can turn a pleasant evening outdoors into an itchy nightmare. While you can’t completely eradicate atlanta mosquitoes, knowing about their habits, the diseases they can carry, and how to keep them at bay is vital for residents in metro Atlanta, Buford, Cumming, Hoschton, and beyond.

Why Are Atlanta Mosquitoes Such a Problem?

Several factors contribute to Atlanta’s mosquito problem.

First, dry climates provide generally poor conditions for mosquitoes. Georgia’s warm and humid climate provides the ideal breeding ground for female mosquitoes.

Second, with plenty of rainfall throughout the year, there’s typically an abundance of standing water – from puddles to birdbaths – where mosquitoes lay their eggs. You may even notice that when the metro Atlanta area experiences drought, you see a few less mosquitoes. Or, when you’re closer to standing bodies of water or shaded areas in the forests of northeast Georgia – mosquitoes are more prominent.

This leads into the third reason – the city’s extensive tree cover offers shaded areas where adult mosquitoes rest during the heat of the day.

What Attracts Mosquitoes to People?

Several factors play a role in attracting mosquitoes, but these tiny vampires primarily locate their victims through our breath and body odor. Mosquitoes have specialized receptors that can detect carbon dioxide from exhaled breath.

Some compounds in sweat, like lactic acid and ammonia, act as attractants, too. So, if we’re outside sweating, working out, or just working, some become more appealing. Body temperature and skin bacteria can also influence their preference. Certain people become mosquito magnets more than others simply due to their body chemistry.

Mosquito-Borne Illnesses to Be Aware Of

Unfortunately, Atlanta mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance – they can pose a public health threat by carrying diseases. Now, fortunately in Georgia we see few cases of these types of illnesses, they do occur. Internationally, mosquitoes are known to carry a variety of diseases (and can even carry malaria) turning those traditionally itchy bites into major health concerns. And, here in the US, these issues are becoming more and more prominent.

While infrequent, the most prevalent virus mosquitoes carry in Atlanta is West Nile virus, spread primarily by Culex mosquitoes. Over a five year period, Georgia has seen fewer than 100 cases of West Nile, and most people with West Nile don’t even develop symptoms. However, a few individuals, usually older adults, experience serious health complications such as encephalitis (brain inflammation) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord).

Although less prevalent than West Nile, other mosquito-borne illnesses are a risk, as evidenced by Georgia resident disease reports between 2018-2022:

Although Atlanta hasn’t seen widespread Zika or West Nile outbreaks like some other areas, it does happen. Atlanta mosquitoes can potentially spread Zika, especially as warmer temperatures allow this virus to thrive in new places. Plus, there are a number of future concerns if other viruses or diseases eventually become transmissible through mosquitoes. Simply put, mosquitoes bite humans and spread disease, so it’s best to prevent them as much as possible.

Travel-associated illnesses are also a concern for Georgians returning from areas where certain mosquito-borne illnesses are common. If you plan to travel internationally, it’s essential to check the CDC’s Travelers’ Health page. Get advice from your doctor regarding any travel medications you might need for your destination.

Atlanta’s Infamous Asian Tiger Mosquito

Aside from those that carry West Nile virus, one common and annoying type of atlanta mosquito is the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Its distinctive black and white striped markings give it its name. These invasive mosquitoes originated from Asia but found their way to the US from imported bamboo as well as tire casings.

We bring up this particular mosquito in discussions of disease because they are potential vectors for encephalitis, dengue fever, yellow fever, and heartworms in dogs as well as other viruses that affect horses and other animals.. They also have been known to carry West Nile virus.

These mosquitoes bite people typically bite people and animals during the day. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is even known to bite birds! They often attack aggressively, so it’s not uncommon to be targeted while doing yard work or enjoying a midday picnic.

Tips to Keep Atlanta Mosquitoes Under Control

You might feel powerless against mosquitoes with our southern climates. Mosquito control may even feel out of reach. But there’s plenty you can do to reclaim your outdoor space and minimize your risk of mosquito bites. A multi-faceted approach is best to minimize these pesky biters and their mosquito’s lifespan.

Eliminate Breeding Sites

Standing water is the nemesis of every homeowner trying to reduce the mosquito population and shorten the lifespan of the mosquitoes around your home. Those females need just a tiny amount of standing water, a bottle cap’s worth, to lay hundreds of eggs.

Walk around your yard regularly and empty anything holding standing water, such as:

1. Birdbaths
2. Flowerpot saucers
3. Children’s toys
4. Gutters
5. Buckets
6. Tarps

Don’t forget those hidden spots like clogged drains, outdoor trash cans or low-lying areas where rainwater can collect. Remove or cover anything that might hold water, or drill drainage holes. Mosquito dunks, containing a natural bacteria harmless to other organisms, can effectively eliminate mosquito larvae in standing water sources that can’t be dumped.

Use Repellents Effectively

When heading outside, particularly during dawn and dusk hours (prime mosquito feeding time), wearing an EPA-approved insect repellent is a must for Atlanta residents. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are all effective.

Repellents containing at least 20-30% DEET generally offer several hours of protection. But even lower concentrations can be helpful when reapplied every 90 minutes.

Zone Pest Solutions also offers outdoor treatment that provides a liquid barrier around your home and yard to help prevent mosquitoes around your home.

Other Defensive Strategies Against Atlanta Mosquitoes

It may seem like common sense, but there are other things Atlanta homeowners and residents throughout Georgia can do to protect themselves. When mosquitoes are most active, cover up with long sleeves, pants, and socks, particularly when going into wooded areas.

Screen your windows and doors or make sure existing screens have no tears. Install fans – even a gentle breeze can disrupt those weak fliers and discourage their approach. You may consider attracting natural mosquito predators to your yard, such as purple martins, bats, dragonflies, or even mosquito-eating fish (Gambusia) for your pond if you have one.

Professional Mosquito Control Is Often Necessary

If you are really struggling to get a handle on those relentless atlanta mosquitoes, consider a professional pest control company like Zone Home Solutions. Atlanta homeowners will be glad to know a professional service knows all the common areas mosquitoes hide and will eliminate those pests hanging around.

With targeted control solutions, a pest control service can help get those buzzing bugs under control so that Atlanta residents can get back to enjoying the outdoors. You’ll be able to host those barbeques without unwelcome guests. Professional mosquito control services typically use EPA-registered products to create a barrier around your home and employ methods that provide longer-lasting protection compared to DIY methods.

Conclusion

While mosquitoes are part of the warm, humid Georgia landscape, they don’t need to ruin your enjoyment of it. Understanding their life cycle and employing a combination of prevention and mosquito control measures is key.

From eliminating standing water breeding sites to using repellents, covering up, installing screens and even hiring professionals, you have several weapons in your arsenal. With proactive strategies, you can keep mosquitoes at bay, reducing those pesky bites and the risks of mosquito-borne illness.

FAQs about Atlanta Mosquitoes

Does Atlanta have a mosquito problem?

Yes, Atlanta is known to have a mosquito problem because its hot, humid climate makes it ideal for breeding. Mosquitos love the abundant rainfall and many sources of standing water as well as Atlanta’s green spaces where adult mosquitos take shelter.

What month do mosquitoes come out in Georgia?

Typically, mosquito season in Georgia runs from March to October, but warm spells outside that range can make the season feel longer. Temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit bring these biters out of hibernation. Late spring is when people really start to notice them.

Does Atlanta have a bug problem?

Like many southeastern cities, Atlanta does experience its share of insect issues. Because Atlanta has such warm weather and high humidity, many kinds of insects find this climate ideal, not just mosquitoes.

What states have the worst mosquito problems?

States along the Gulf Coast such as Florida, Louisiana, and Texas often top the charts for the worst mosquito problems due to their abundance of coastal areas, swamps, and humidity. In 2023, Terminix reported the highest concentration of mosquitoes was in Los Angeles, California followed by New York and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Coming in 4th was Atlanta, just above Philadelphia on the list.