Warming climate could bring more mosquitoes to Georgia
A warming climate could increase mosquito populations in Georgia, with scientists warning that changing weather patterns are driving mosquito breeds typically found south of the equator northward. Mosquitoes in Georgia that could be problematic include the Southern house mosquito, Eastern tree hole mosquito, and the Gallinipper.
Extreme weather events linked to climate change can increase mosquito populations in Georgia. Scientists warn that warming temperatures are driving north mosquito breeds typically associated with environments south of the equator. Elmer Gray, an entomologist at the University of Georgia, said mosquito larvae and pupae require standing water to develop, which can be found in storm drain systems during droughts. Georgia has 63 species of mosquitoes, with at least 20 in the Augusta area, and five or six species are a cause for concern from a disease standpoint. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend eliminating standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding. Mindy Kruty-Crothers, director of mosquito and vector surveillance at the Georgia Department of Public Health, said some mosquitoes are migrating north as the climate warms, and can lay eggs that remain dormant for long periods.
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