Mosquito Information

General Information

Mosquitoes are flying insects that feed on human and animal blood.
Only female mosquitoes bite to get blood meal to produce her eggs.
Not all kinds of mosquitoes bite humans.
Mosquitoes are pests, but they can also transmit diseases that make humans or animals sick.

The use of pesticides to control adult mosquito populations (called "adulticiding") is not the most effective or the most cost-efficient method of mosquito control.
- Think about how difficult it would be to kill every single mosquito, especially when some mosquitoes are active during the day, some are active at dusk, and still others are active at night.
The best way to control mosquitoes is to prevent them from breeding or to eliminate them before they become adults (called "larviciding"). Because the mosquitoes that transmit diseases typically like to breed in human-made containers, you can have a significant affect on local mosquito populations if you reduce mosquito breeding areas on your property.
If some areas of standing water still exist, you might consider using a larvicidal product that is available at some hardware stores. Mosquito control varies greatly across Georgia and is partly dependent upon local mosquito populations and habitats.

Most mosquito species don't fly very far and all mosquitoes need water to breed. It doesn't take much water and it doesn't take much time.
Almost anything that will hold water for one week can produce these pests. Many places around your home may be causing mosquito problems. Don't give mosquitoes a chance. Eliminate all standing water from your property.

Properly throw away or destroy old tires.
Recycle or Dispose of tin cans, jars, plant pots, and any other containers that hold water.
Check and clear roof gutters to ensure they drain properly.

Store wheelbarrows, tubs, buckets, barrels, and boats upside down so that water cannot accumulate in them.
Screen or cover rain barrels.
Change the water in bird baths, small wading pools, and pet dishes at least once a week.
Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
Properly chlorinate backyard swimming pools.
- Cover any pool that is not in use so rainwater and leaves do not accumulate in it. Be sure the cover does not hold pockets of water.