Ever wonder why you find yourself swatting your arm while you’re outside on a beautiful Atlanta afternoon doing some gardening or cooling on the patio?
It’s because Atlanta is one of the top cities in the United States when it comes to mosquitoes. In fact, Georgia’s largest city ranks #2 for the pests.
That’s according to pest control company Orkin, which just released its list of top pest control cities.
How Long Do Mosquitoes Live?
Mosquitoes live roughly about 21 to 28 days. During that time, it can spread disease, suck blood and give birth in short order.
A mosquito that is outdoors can expect to live out its entire lifespan. An indoor mosquito probably will get squashed before it causes much damage, but if not, it can live inside a home or building for more than three weeks.
It’s important to stop mosquitos, which we’ll talk about later, because it only takes about a week for their eggs to hatch.
Atlanta, Georgia has been particularly hit hard by the mosquito scourge. Here is Orkin’s Top Mosquito Cities list, which ranks U.S. metro areas by the number of mosquito customers served from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
Here Are The Worst Cities For Mosquitoes In 2021
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1. Los Angeles (+1) |
14. Grand Rapids (+5) |
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2. Atlanta (-1) |
15. Orlando (+5) |
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3. Washington, DC |
16. Nashville (+1) |
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4. Dallas (+2) |
17. Minneapolis (-2) |
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5. Chicago |
18. Indianapolis (+4) |
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6. New York (-2) |
19. Baltimore (-1) |
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7. Detroit (0) |
20. Memphis (-7) |
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8. Miami (+2) |
21. Richmond, VA (-7) |
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9. Charlotte (-1) |
22. Phoenix (+2) |
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10. Raleigh-Durham (+1) |
23. Boston (-2) |
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11. Houston (+1) |
24. Norfolk, VA (-1) |
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12. Philadelphia (-3) |
25. Cleveland |
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13. Tampa (+3) |
26. New Orleans (+4) |
Atlanta’s mosquito season runs roughly from May to September, which is the warmest part of the year.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes In Atlanta
But don’t think you’re helpless when it comes to stopping these pests.
1. Get rid of any standing water
If you have standing water around your home, that’s the #1 breeding ground for mosquitoes. Dump that water out!
Make sure all flower pots or old tires are empty of water because once those mosquitoes are born, you’ve got trouble.
Dump out any standing water near your home.
2. Use Mosquito Repellent That Works
Some of the top repellents in stopping mosquitos are:
Mosquito Dunks
Electronic Bug Zapper
Thermacell Patio Mosquito Repellent
Dynatrap 1-Acre Mosquito & Insect Trap
Sprays
- Babyganics DEET Bug Spray
- Badger DEET-Free Natural Buy Spray
- Cutter Backyard Fogger
- Cutter Backwoods Insect Repellent
3. Wear Long-Sleeved Shirts And Long Pants
Unfortunately, you may find yourself out in about in the city and where you are may not have strict control on the bugs. One way to protect yourself is to wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants.
If may be a bit warm for long clothing in the summertime, but your skin will thank you later.
Last Word
Mosquitoes are going to be around forever. They play an important role in the ecosystem. The key is to not lose a pint of blood to them every night.
Some of you may choose to stay indoors during the hotter days and come out only at night or early in the morning. That’s not bad advice.
Here are some things to get into at night in Atlanta.
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