Life in Georgia is pretty sweet. The nights are warm and lovely, the summers are long and hot and even in the winter the temperatures rarely dip below the comfort zone. If you live in the state of Georgia, you already know how great the weather is and how many great things there are to see and do here.
What you may not appreciate is the dangers posed by what many people call the Georgia state bird. The very things that make life in Georgia so wonderful, from the temperate winters to the wonderfully warm days and nights, also make mosquito problems more difficult to deal with, and potentially more dangerous. If you call the state of Georgia your home, you need to understand, and prepare for, the dangers of all those mosquitoes.
Zika – An Emerging Threat
The Zika virus is a relatively new threat, at least in North America. While this dangerous and debilitating disease has been causing birth defects and devastating families throughout South America for several years, it was relatively unknown in the continental United States until last year.
Since then, a number of areas, including many in nearby Florida, have been affected by Zika outbreaks. Pregnant women were warned not to vacation in the affected areas, and those who were planning to start families were often advised to put off their plans until the threat of Zika had passed.
Zika is also a threat in the state of Georgia, which has a similar climate and many of the same mosquito problems. The Zika virus rarely causes serious symptoms in adults, but it can create serious and even deadly birth defects in developing fetuses. Babies infected with the Zika virus are often born with abnormally small heads, and they face a lifetime of illness, learning challenges and other problems as a result of prenatal infection.
West Nile Virus – Not Going Away
The West Nile virus is an older threat, but it is not going away anytime soon. The mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus are common throughout the state of Georgia, and anyone can be affected.
The symptoms of West Nile virus are often mild and nondescript, but the illness can linger and cause chronic infections that are difficult to treat. And while people are at greatest risk, the West Nile virus can also affect pets and livestock, including dogs and horses.
The dangers posed by mosquitoes are both serious and widespread, and it is important to do everything you can to prevent these bothersome pests from setting up shop in your backyard. From removing standing water to having your home inspected by a professional, there are plenty of things Georgia homeowners can do to protect themselves, their families, and their properties from the ever-present threat of mosquitoes.
