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Community Corner

How to Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes

A pest control company offers tips for combating those nasty insects.

The warm winter and wet spring may have been a welcome change for us, but it was especially nice for mosquitoes.

They're already out in full force. Mosquitoes breed best in humid and wet climates, like Georgia. And they do particularly well when there's plenty of standing water.

If that's bad news to you, it's only going to get worse. As temperatures rise, and it gets more humid, we can expect to see a dramatic increase in the mosquito population. 

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But there are some things you can do to prevent those itchy bites.

Massey Services, the nation’s fifth largest pest prevention company, offers these tips to help you prepare for and avoid mosquitoes this season:

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  • Make sure all windows and doors in your home are closed tightly and that screens are well sealed to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside.
  • Avoid working or playing outdoors at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
  • When you are outdoors, wear insect repellant that includes DEET as an active product.
  • Discard water on a weekly basis from any items in your back yard such as toys, bird baths, pools and potted plants.
  • Clear gutters and drains to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water.

“When enough rainwater floods an area, mosquito eggs hatch and larvae develop into adults rapidly, taking flight in a matter of days,” said Adam Jones, VP of Quality Assurance at Massey Services. “It’s best to prepare your home and backyard now to prevent mosquito infestations.”

There are more than 50 species of mosquitoes in Georgia alone, several of which are capable of transmitting diseases in animals. Although mosquito-borne diseases don’t currently pose a threat to humans in Georgia, the risk of infection is always apparent. If you suspect you have a mosquito infestation at your home or want to protect it from future attacks, call a professional service for effective control methods. 

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