By Elmer Gray
University of Georgia
With summer just around the corner, nuisance populations of Asian
tiger mosquitoes are soon to follow. One of Georgia’s most common
mosquito pests, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes
albopictus), thrives as temperatures rise.
Asian tiger mosquitoes were introduced into this country in
Houston, Tex., in the mid-1980s. Since then, they’ve spread
through much of the eastern United States. They’re not thought to
be major disease carriers yet in this country. But they are
aggressive daytime biters, so considerable efforts are spent
trying to reduce their larval habitats.
These mosquitoes are black and white, with a characteristic
median, white stripe on the thorax, lateral stripes on the
abdomen and striped legs. These markings and their aggressive
daytime biting make them fairly easy to identify.
Mosquito havens
They prefer to breed in any kind of container that will hold
water. The container breeding and daytime activities make them
hard to control through conventional practices such as
large-scale treating with larvicides and adulticides.
The best way to prevent nuisance populations is simply to
eliminate all forms of standing water around our homes and
neighborhoods. Target buckets, pet dishes, tarps, toys, used
tires and any debris that will hold water.
And don’t just check once. Getting rid of standing water around
our homes and neighborhoods should be a way of life, not a
one-time or even a once-a-month routine.
Asian tiger mosquitoes aren’t strong fliers. They often don’t
move more than 100 yards from where they hatch. So, if you have a
lot of them around your home, you won’t have to look far to find
their larval habitat.
Swarms of skeeters
That is far different from what many Georgia residents face in
the lower portion of the state. There, large lowland areas
provide ideal breeding sites for many native mosquito species.
South Georgians don’t want to think of Asian tiger mosquitoes.
They’ve been dealing with heavy populations of other mosquitoes
for more than two months as a result of the heavy rains in early
spring and wet conditions stretching back to last year’s
hurricane season.
Native flood-water mosquitoes have been particularly troublesome
where most low-lying areas have been inundated with water for
long periods over the past eight months.
Fortunately, no significant mosquito-borne disease outbreaks have
been reported, although two cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis
have been reported this spring.
Diseases
These have involved a horse from Bacon County and a flock of
quail in Lanier County. Both are indicators that there is viral
activity in the local mosquito populations. People who live in
these areas should be particularly cautious.
On the West Nile virus front, news has been quiet so far this
season. As of May 16, no WNV-positive birds, horses, mosquitoes
or humans have been reported this year.
That’s not completely unexpected, since the peak period for WNV
in Georgia continues to be August and September. The peak period
coincides with hurricane season, and last year’s active season
may have suppressed West Nile activity.
In Georgia, the primary carrier of West Nile virus is the
Southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). This
mosquito breeds regularly in storm drains and sewer systems,
which are flushed of stagnant water by periods of heavy rain.
In 2004, Georgia had 22 verified cases in humans, with one death.
Three horses and 105 birds tested positive for the virus.
Nationwide, 2470 human cases and 88 deaths were reported in 41
states.
(Elmer Gray is an Extension Service entomologist for the
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences.)
