Mosquitoes

Why mosquitoes show up

Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, and it takes surprisingly little. A bottle cap holds enough for larvae. Clogged gutters, flowerpot saucers, birdbaths, kiddie pools, tarps, tires and low spots in the yard all collect rainwater, and in the warm, wet South a single batch of eggs can become a swarm in about a week.

Shade and humidity keep adults close to home. During the heat of the day they rest in shrubs, tall grass, under decks and along fence lines, then come out to feed around dusk and dawn. That is why a yard with no visible standing water can still be full of mosquitoes: the water is often next door or in a nearby ditch or creek.

Common species in Alabama and Georgia

Southern house mosquitoes breed in dirty, stagnant water such as storm drains and neglected containers, and they are active at night. Asian tiger mosquitoes are the common container breeder: small, striped and aggressive, they bite during the day and breed in tiny containers close to homes. Floodwater species hatch in large numbers after heavy rain in low areas, and they often bite hard around wooded or marshy ground. Mosquitoes can carry diseases, including West Nile virus, so reducing them is a health matter as well as a comfort one.

How we treat mosquitoes

We walk the property first, looking for breeding spots and for the shrubs, fence lines and shaded areas where adults rest. Those resting areas get treated, and where standing water cannot be removed we talk through options with you.

Treatment reduces the mosquitoes on your property, but they fly in from neighboring yards, so results vary with the surroundings. Recurring visits through the warm months keep pressure down, and we adjust the schedule to the weather.

Prevention tips

• Empty standing water from buckets, toys, saucers and tarps at least weekly.
• Rinse birdbaths and pet bowls regularly.
• Clean gutters and make sure downspouts drain away from the house.
• Fill low spots in the yard where water collects.
• Keep grass mowed and trim dense shrubs.
• Repair window and door screens.
• Use fans on porches and patios, since mosquitoes are weak fliers.