After a winter full of El Nino-related problems, Georgians
are facing yet another
effect: mosquitoes. A University of Georgia entomologist
said there will likely be more of the insects biting this
spring.
“It wasn’t so much the warm winter that will affect
mosquito populations,”
said Beverly
Sparks, an
with the UGA
Environmental Sciences.
“The wet spring is providing plenty of places for the insect
larvae.”
Sparks said mosquitoes lay their eggs in pools of
standing water, where they mature
into larvae and eventually adults. Mosquitoes can lay eggs
anywhere water accumulates, she
said.
That includes children’s wading pools, potted plant
saucers, clogged gutters, bird
baths, tree holes, ditches and discarded tires.
“If you make sure water doesn’t accumulate in these
places, you can keep them from
breeding and staying close to your home,” Sparks said.
Most mosquito species don’t fly more than a mile from the
spot they matured. So keeping
them from breeding near your home will keep them from
feeding near your home.
arks said besides pouring out standing water from
containers, you can chemically treat
natural water collectors like tree holes and ditches.
“There are safe and effective insecticides that kill the
mosquito larvae in ponds
or drainage ditches,” she said. “Or you can eliminate
breeding sites by filling
tree holes and improving the drainage in ditches.”
In larger ponds, wind can provide enough waves to
literally drown mosquito larvae. Some
pond owners add gambusia fish that eat mosquito larvae.
Short of that, though, you have to realize that
mosquitoes are flying insects that,
despite your best efforts, can fly into your yard.
“Obviously, you can prevent bites by staying indoors when
mosquitoes are most
active, in early evening,” Sparks said. “And wear long
pants, long-sleeved
shirts and use an insect repellent.”
She said repellents containing 20 percent to 30 percent
DEET are the most effective
against mosquitoes.
“Small children can be sensitive to DEET,” she said. “So
make sure the
repellent you use on young children, toddlers and infants
are specially formulated for
them.”
Some people use ultraviolet light traps to kill
mosquitoes and other night insects. But
Sparks said those actually attract insects to the area.
“If you use an electronic bug trap, hang it away from the
house or activity
area,” she said. “At least that will attract insects away
from your family and
friends.”
She also cautions that UV lights attract and kill
beneficial insects that can help
control harmful insects. “No point in killing the good guys
if you can help it,”
she said.
If you’re planning an evening party, Sparks said you can
apply insecticides to the area
that will control mosquitoes for several hours. However,
these break down quickly, and the
mosquitoes will return.
Many people choose more natural controls, and Sparks said
they work quite well. Purple
martins — small black birds — eat lots of mosquitoes, she
said, as do bats. Providing
homes for martins and bats can help control mosquitoes
without insecticides.
Besides biting and causing itching, mosquitoes can
occasionally transmit diseases.
“But that’s very rare,” Sparks said. “For the most part,
mosquitoes are
just a nuisance. And there are likely to be more of them
this spring.”
