Alabama’s humid climate is perfect for mosquitos. More than 60 species of the pesky bugs live in Alabama, thriving in the state’s abundant swamps, woods, wetlands, and neighborhoods.
Mosquitos in Alabama can be more than annoying; they are also a threat to your comfort and health. Breeding in the smallest puddles and cracks, mosquitos find water and thrive in nearly any environment.
Homeowners and families looking to protect their homes and loved ones from mosquitos in Alabama need to understand how mosquitos live, spread, and can be controlled.
Mosquito Habitats and Life Cycles
Mosquitos are incredibly resilient and can live in any habitat from wetlands and swamps to towns and cities. In populated areas, there is no shortage of potential breeding grounds for mosquitos. Clogged gutters, flower pots, old tires, buckets, and other small water-holding containers create an ideal environment for mosquitos after a heavy rain.
The Mosquito Life Cycle
Adult mosquitos lay their eggs in and around bodies of water, such as puddles, ponds, and swampy areas. Mosquito eggs hatch into larvae, which swim around, feeding off the microorganisms found in the water.
Mosquito eggs, larvae, and pupae all depend on water for survival, and each step in the mosquito life cycle can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the temperature and conditions. The entire life cycle, from egg to adult, can be as short as a week or as long as several months. However, each life cycle stage lasts at least four days.
Adult mosquitos drink flower nectar and sugary juices from plants for energy. However, females also need blood meals in order to develop eggs. When biting a host, mosquitos inject an anticoagulant that allows blood to flow freely from the bite wound.
The 4 Stages of a Mosquito’s Life Cycle
- Egg – Female mosquitos lay their eggs on the surface of or just above water. Female mosquitos can lay 100–200 eggs at a time, or even up to 600 eggs in batches, every few days.
- Larva – Mosquito larvae feed off of microorganisms in water and must come up for air every few minutes, breathing through tubes at the end of their abdomens.
- Pupa – Mosquitoes do not eat as pupae but do not need food as they develop in protective casings.
- Adult – Mosquitoes emerge from their pupae and rest until their wings dry. Adult mosquitos then mate, and females take their first blood meal in order to develop eggs.
Mosquitoes reproduce quickly, with a single teaspoon of stagnant water potentially creating more than 100 mosquitos in 8–12 days.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Alabama
Mosquito bites can be itchy and irritating, but the real danger from mosquitos comes from the diseases they carry and spread. Alabama’s hot temperatures and water sources also make the state particularly vulnerable to mosquitos that carry infectious diseases.
Mosquitos Can Carry Diseases That Can Cause Life-Threatening Conditions in Humans Such As:
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in Alabama. Symptoms of WNV include fever, body aches, and in rare cases, swelling of the brain.
Zika Virus
Zika virus is less common in Alabama than in some other areas of the country, but the mosquito-borne virus can still have a serious impact, especially in pregnant women. The virus has been linked to microcephaly and other severe birth defects.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
EEE is a serious and sometimes fatal illness for people and horses in Alabama. Caused by mosquitos, EEE leads to swelling of the brain and long-term neurological damage or death.
Alabama Mosquito Risks
Alabama residents are at risk for mosquito-borne illnesses and exposure all year because of the state’s relatively mild winter temperatures, long summers, and frequent rainfall. While many states with cold winters see seasonal decreases in mosquitos, the insects are active year-round in Alabama.
Homeowners can help control mosquitos by understanding their habitats and sources of standing water in yards and neighborhoods. Eliminating stagnant water and taking other control measures can greatly reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness for Alabama families.
Mosquito Control Methods for Homeowners
Preventing mosquitos from taking over your home and yard starts with eliminating or at least minimizing their breeding grounds and making the area less attractive to them. Homeowners can take a number of steps to control mosquitoes, but a combination of personal work, products, and professional services will be needed for the best results.
1. Eliminate Standing Water
The first step to mosquito control is reducing or eliminating areas of standing water. Mosquitoes breed in water, so removing or emptying water from even the smallest sources can significantly reduce mosquito activity on your property. After every rain, be sure to check your yard and remove water from common sources such as:
- Children’s toys
- Buckets
- Wheelbarrows
- Clogged gutters
- Loose boat or furniture covers that sag and collect water
- Flower pots without drainage holes
- Open boats
- Ground dips or other yard depressions
As little as a bottle cap of water can hatch dozens of mosquitos. Because of this, homeowners should be extra vigilant when inspecting and treating their yards.
2. Trap Mosquitos and Use Repellents
Yard maintenance can be supplemented by the use of mosquito repellents and traps. Tools like Thermacell mosquito repellers can create a perimeter of protection, while mosquito traps both kill adult mosquitos and destroy larvae. Many traps kill mosquitos on contact and use a “domino effect” to transfer biocides to other breeding sites the mosquito visits after coming into contact with a trap.
3. Use Safe Mosquito Sprays
Commercial mosquito spray services are the most effective way to reduce mosquito populations, with some services cutting mosquito numbers by 80% when performed on a regular schedule. Steel City Pest offers a variety of mosquito spray services using both pesticidal and natural mosquito control products. At Steel City Pest, we use safe, targeted mosquito sprays that reach the areas where mosquitos eat, rest, and breed. Our regular service plans keep your yard treated and protected throughout mosquito season.
4. Personal Protection
In addition to controlling mosquitos around your yard and property, be sure to take personal precautions such as:
- Wearing light-colored clothing outdoors
- Covering skin with EPA-approved repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Installing and maintaining window and door screens
- Avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk hours when mosquitos are most active
Professional Mosquito Control Services
DIY mosquito control is helpful, but nothing is quite as effective as professional mosquito control services. Steel City Pest uses the most advanced equipment and technology to eliminate breeding grounds and control adult mosquito populations around your property.
Steel City Pest’s trained technicians use customized treatment plans and environmentally safe application methods. Our mosquito services are highly effective at removing mosquitos so Alabama homeowners and families can enjoy their yards and outdoor spaces without fear of disease or constant bites.
Conclusion
Mosquitos are more than an annoyance in Alabama. They are a health risk and a frustrating hindrance to families and homeowners who want to enjoy their yards and outdoor spaces. The best way to fight mosquitos is by preventing them with knowledge and action. Protecting yourself, your family, and your property from mosquitos in Alabama starts with understanding how they live and reproduce.
Mosquitos will always be an issue in Alabama, but homeowners have effective weapons to keep them at bay. Steel City Pest takes mosquitos seriously and provides homeowners with the tools and solutions they need to keep their yards and families protected.
Steel City Pest understands that mosquitos are a problem all year round in Alabama. We have solutions designed for Alabama’s unique climate and your unique situation. Whether you are dealing with constant mosquito bites or worried about mosquito-borne disease, call Steel City Pest to schedule a mosquito inspection and customized treatment plan today.
