Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are pesky little flying insects that can ruin your outdoor activities. There are approximately 26 different species found in Georgia and South Carolina. Most of them are only found in certain regions with the Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) being found throughout both states. Only female mosquitos bite/feed on a host to receive protein from blood in order for egg develop.

Mosquitoes have 4 life stages: egg, larva, pupae and adult. Females lay their eggs in water and hatch within 1-3 days depending on species. The emerging larvae will go through 4 molts (instars), which takes 7 days to several weeks to enter the pupal stage. The pupal stage, "tumbler stage", takes from 2 days to several weeks before emerging into the adult. Female mosquitoes live 1-2 months during warm weather and up 6 months in cooler environments.

All standing water and prolonged high moisture ground cover on property aid in the population growth of mosquitoes.

• Make sure there is no container on the property that holds water for prolonged periods. Even a bottle cap filled with water can breed mosquitoes * toys, pet water bowls, buckets, trash cans, bird baths, tarps, wheel barrels, etc. These items need to be removed, water dumped out often (at least weekly) or holes drilled on bottom of container to keep from holding water
• Fix leaking outdoor faucets
• Clean/clear roof gutter debris and angle downspouts away from structure
• Eliminate puddling outside from A/C return.
• Make sure rain barrels have tight fitting lid or small screen covering the top to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs inside barrel.

• Install screens over windows and doors.
• Keep shrubs trimmed, organic matter and moisture around structure to a minimum
• Keep lawn mowed

Treatment needs to be performed around structure, treating all shrubs, property wood line, under wood decks and grassy areas with backpack blower mister, paying close attention to shady areas with high moisture and organic matter when treating.