There are few worse warm weather annoyances than the whining hum of a mosquito in your ear when you’re trying to enjoy your kid’s soccer game or your backyard barbeque. But did you know mosquitoes pose a threat to a lot more than just your outdoor fun? They’re actually the most dangerous animal in the world because they spread so many deadly diseases! Let’s talk about why mosquitoes bite, the dangers they pose, and what you can do about these perilous pests.
Mosquito Species And The Illnesses They Spread
Georgia has over 70 mosquito species, but most of them don’t bite humans. In fact, no male mosquitoes bite at all; only females need to feed on blood to get enough protein to lay their eggs. The most common biting mosquito in our area, the Culex pipiens or northern house mosquito, tends to be most active around dawn and dusk. The females of this species are known to transmit the West Nile Virus.
Another species common in Savannah, the Asian tiger mosquito, tends to bite more frequently and aggressively than the northern house mosquito. The Asian tiger likes to feed not just at dawn and dusk, but all day long in urban and suburban areas throughout the state of Georgia. These dangerous mosquitoes spread several diseases, including West Nile, Zika, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Essential Oils As Mosquito Repellants – Do They Work?
Most everyone knows mosquitoes hate the smell of citronella, but there are a lot of other scents they don’t like, including many herbs and spices such as lavender, peppermint, clove, rosemary, and lemongrass. Some people burn essential oils in these scents to ward off mosquitoes, but do they work? That’s unclear!
On the one hand, essential oils often smell a lot stronger than the plants they come from when you diffuse or burn them, meaning if mosquitoes can’t stand citronella plants, they probably really can’t stand the citronella oil candle burning on your patio.
On the other hand, the effectiveness of essential oil repellants is uncertain, and the fact that the EPA doesn’t regulate essential oil-based repellants means you can never be sure what’s in the bottle like you can with DEET. So essential oils might be a great way to repel mosquitoes, but repellants made of them are equally likely to just be a waste of money.
If you plan to use essential oils as a mosquito repellant, it’s important to do so safely. Many essential oils need to be mixed with water before being applied to the skin or diffused, and some aren’t safe for skin application at all. So make sure to do your research and follow the instructions on the bottle to ensure your essential oil use is safe.
Additional Prevention To Keep Mosquitoes Away
For those looking for other natural ways to repel mosquitoes, one of the best methods is to eliminate their breeding sites. You can do this by getting rid of any standing water on your property, including birdbaths, kiddie pools, pet bowls, clogged gutters, rain buckets, stopped-up drains, etc. If you don’t want to eliminate water in something like a birdbath, just make sure to change it every day or two throughout the mosquito season. You can also take measures to protect yourself from mosquitoes by doing the following:
- Wear long pants and long sleeves
- Avoid wearing dark colors
- Spray your clothing with a CDC approved insect repellant
- Avoid going outdoors during hours where mosquitoes are most active
- Avoid wearing floral perfumes or deodorants that may attract mosquitoes
- Wear a bug net to prevent them from biting your face and neck
Despite your efforts to mitigate mosquitoes in your yard, you still may find yourself avoiding the outdoors for fear of suffering a mosquito bite or experiencing the annoyance associated with their tenacity. In the end, you may want to consider reaching out to the professionals.
Prestige Pest Control Can Help Reduce Mosquitoes On Your Savannah Property
If you have a mosquito problem on your property that you can’t seem to get rid of, Prestige Pest Control has you covered. We have the tools and experience to get the job done. Whether you're planning a special event in your yard or looking for recurring mosquito control, we have the solutions for you. Reach out to us today to learn more!