Mosquitos are the deadliest life form on the planet, killing an estimated 750,000 people a year globally, according to National Geographic. The tiny biters can transmit thousands of diseases including malaria and West Nile virus.
Experts say Augusta could be in for a heavier than normal summer population of mosquitos, and people should be taking precautions.
“It is hard to track, there are so many variables. It could be the same as previous years, or it could be among the worst. We just don’t know,” UGA Richmond County Extension Agent Campbell Vaughn said.
Augusta experienced a relatively mild winter, and depending on who you ask, rainfall amounts can either hinder or facilitate mosquito reproduction. Vaughn says that a good gully washer can flush out standing water but will leave more standing water behind, and the high temperatures combine to provide the perfect atmosphere to create swarms.
“An unattended five-gallon bucket with standing water can produce 10,000 mosquitos,” Vaughn said.
According to a report by Climate Central, Augusta is expected to have an extra five breeding days based on weather forecasts; however, that number could rise depending on temperatures.
Mosquitos that inhabit the CSRA do not carry malaria, but plenty of the insects routinely test positive for West Nile virus.
The Centers For Disease Control has only recorded two deaths in Georgia from West Nile virus in 2023, but Vaughn says he knows that several people have tested positive for the virus this year in Augusta.
“It is just not something they routinely test for. In the past few years, people with the symptoms might likely have Covid-19 listed as their cause of death,” Vaughn said.
Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever and other flu-like manifestations. Like COVID, many people who contract the virus never have symptoms; however, especially with older people, if the virus is not treated, it can turn into fatal encephalitis.
Vaughn recommends wearing long clothing when possible and using mosquito repellent with Deet. He advises reading the label closely before applying the product.
“Some of the products are not meant to be sprayed directly on skin but on clothing and then rubbed in,” Vaughn said.
Thermacell also makes outdoor products that use heat to release a small amount of insecticide into the air and creates a bug free zone of up to 10 feet.
Of course, residents should walk around their yards periodically and check for any standing water as even a fallen magnolia leaf can hold enough water to breed mosquitoes.
If a clogged ditch or drain is discovered, residents are urged to call 311.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
