Mosquito Control in Georgia and Alabama

Mosquitoes are one of the worst things about nice weather. In the warm, humid Chattahoochee Valley, they show up early in spring and stay well into fall. Getting rid of them completely is not easy, but there are steps that greatly improve your outdoor space.

This guide covers what to know about mosquitoes, what you can do around your home, the warning signs of mosquito-borne illness and how a yard treatment helps.

Mosquito Facts

Just about everyone knows what a mosquito looks like, but there are some facts you may not know:

• Mosquitoes find people and animals by sensing the carbon dioxide in our breath. They can detect it from many feet away.
• Only female mosquitoes bite. Males feed on nectar.
• Mosquitoes are most active in warm weather, and many species feed most at dawn and dusk.
• The raised bump you get from a bite is a reaction to the mosquito’s saliva.
• Worldwide, mosquitoes cause more human deaths than any other animal, because of the diseases they spread.
• Your dog is at risk too, because mosquitoes carry heartworm.

How Can You Prevent Mosquitoes Around Your Home?

The best way to get rid of mosquitoes is to not have them in the first place. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, and it takes very little. A bottle cap of water is enough. These steps can greatly reduce mosquitoes in and around your yard:

• Drill holes in the bottom of tire swings so water will not collect.
• Drain kiddie pools often.
• Clear leaves and other debris from gutters.
• Make sure gutters are angled so they drain properly.
• Keep empty flower pots and planters from collecting standing water.
• Keep lids on trash cans.
• Make sure ponds and pools are treated.
• Remove anything that collects water, like bottles and cans.
• Change the water in bird baths often.

What Are the Warning Signs of Mosquito-Borne Illness?

If you develop a fever or become dizzy and confused after a mosquito bite, see your doctor right away. Serious mosquito-borne illness is rare, but it is not impossible.

West Nile Virus

Most people infected with West Nile virus do not get sick or have any symptoms. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever. The illness causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, body aches, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, weakness or rash.

Zika Virus

Fever, red eyes, joint pain and rash are symptoms of Zika virus, and they usually last less than a week. Some people have no symptoms at all. The real danger of Zika is that it can cause birth defects when a pregnant woman is infected. There is no vaccine for Zika.

Dengue Fever

Symptoms of dengue fever include:

• A very high fever.
• A severe headache.
• Pain behind the eyes.
• Severe pain in the joints and muscles.
• Constant stomach pain.
• Nausea and vomiting.

How Does a Mosquito Yard Treatment Help?

Prevention cuts the number of mosquitoes. A yard treatment deals with the ones that are left. Jarrod’s technicians treat the shady, damp places mosquitoes rest during the day, such as shrubs, ivy, fence lines and the undersides of decks, with family and pet-safe products.

Nobody wants guests chased inside during a cookout or a summer party. Call Jarrod’s at (706) 841-9912 for a free estimate on mosquito control for your yard.