Warm, Wet Early Spring Unleashes Mosquitoes In Georgia, Florida

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ALBANY, Ga. - "Heavy rain and warmer temperatures have unleashed swarms of hungry mosquitos in parts of south Georgia and northern Florida, and mosquito-control crews are gearing up for an onslaught of the bloodsucking pests in other parts of the South. Besides tormenting humans and animals with their painful, itching bites, mosquitos raise health concerns because some transmit West Nile virus and the other deadly diseases.

Elmer Gray, a University of Georgia entomologist in Athens, said some mosquito eggs can remain dormant in the soil for months until conditions are right for hatching. "The heavy rains have set them up for large populations of mosquitos," he said.

While people in south Georgia and northern Florida spray repellents, swat and possibly curse, residents of north Georgia and South Carolina have been spared early outbreaks. Donell Mathis, environmental control manager for southwest Georgia's Dougherty County, said his crews began fighting mosquitos a month earlier than usual because of heavy rain last month that created ideal breeding conditions.

"We've been getting a lot of calls," said Mathis, while driving through subdivisions on the edge of forests that have turned into swamps. "We have our work cut out for us." Mathis and the county's four other mosquito control specialists have been working six days a week since April 1."

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http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/local/11454068.htm