Conservation Corner: Summer Storms Bring Mosquitos

If April showers bring May flowers, then summer storms bring mosquitos! The almost daily afternoon rain this year has caused mosquito populations to rise higher than average. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Entomologist Elmer Gray says that given these conditions, Georgia residents must be extra diligent in emptying the rainwater from outdoor containers. Mosquitos can lay eggs in any standing water, which means that watering cans, children’s toys, clogged or improperly draining downspouts, or even dishes placed under potted plants can become a breeding ground. The southern house mosquito (the most common mosquito in our area) is most active from mid-August through mid-September. These mosquitos tend to feed in the evening, just when it’s cool enough for humans to want to enjoy their beautiful outdoor areas. Gray recommends wearing long sleeves and pants when outside during this time to help prevent mosquito bites. For more information about mosquito control, see the UGA Extension publication “Stinging and Biting Pests” at https://t.uga.edu/4kC or http://ent.uga.edu/extension/controlling-mosquitoes.html.