Our phones have been ringing off the hook the past 3 weeks for calls about termites, silverfish, carpenter bees, ticks and more due to the mild winter we experience this year bringing an early spring and a multitude of insects. While we knew the warm winter would cause some changes in the traditional pest management calendar one pest we did not expect to see so soon was the mosquito.
Almost all of Georgia is already experiencing these biting pests, making this year one of the earliest sitings of the bug in recent history. Also because we experienced very little hard freezes this winter expect more mosquitoes to be seen throughout the rest of the warm seasons. Cold and freezing temperatures are required to kill off mosquito larvae, keeping populations somewhat low.
With mosquito season already upon us we suggest a few precautions to keep your family and pets safe from these biting pests.
- Dispose of items that can collect water from around your home. Mosquitoes need only a little water to breed, so be sure to check after rain to ensure any water is removed.
- Keep gutters clear of debris and trash.
- Fill in or drain places in your yard that can collect water, i.e. puddles, ruts, etc.
- Keep ditches and drains free of trash so they will drain properly.
- Keep grass and shrubbery well trimmed so adult mosquitoes will not hide in them.
- If you have an ornamental pond, stock it with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
- When outdoors wear an insect repellent that contains DEET, following instructions carefully.
- Inspect windows and screens for cracks to keep mosquitoes out of the home.
While mosquitoes are already a problem in the Southeast by taking a proactive approach you can help to decrease their impact on your home. Also, establish a mosquito prevention service with a reputable pest management company to ensure maximum mosquito protection.
