Guide to Common Insects Found in Georgia - Pests, Stingers & Beneficial

Overview of Common Insects in Georgia

The state of Georgia is home to a diverse range of insect species. With its varied climates and ecosystems including coastal plains, piedmont forests, mountain regions and swamplands, Georgia provides abundant habitat for bugs. Some are harmless, while others can bite and sting. Here’s an overview of some of the most common insects you’ll encounter in Georgia and how to identify them.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes thrive in Georgia’s warm humid climate. Most active dusk to dawn, over 30 species are found statewide. Females bite to obtain blood to develop eggs. Bites are itchy and can transmit diseases like West Nile virus. Reduce mosquito populations by eliminating standing water breeding grounds.

House Flies

House flies are ubiquitous pests that inhabit human dwellings. They breed in decaying matter like garbage and manure. House flies don’t bite, but can spread bacteria by landing on food. Install screens, dispose of waste promptly, and use traps to control populations.

Fire Ants

Originally from South America, fire ants arrived in the US via 1940s cargo ships. They thrive in Georgia and can be aggressive when nests are disturbed. Their painful stings cause blisters. Treat stings with ice and antihistamines. Eliminate colonies using bait insecticides.

Carpenter Bees

Georgians often encounter large, buzzing carpenter bees around wooden structures where they bore holes for nesting. Only males are aggressive but don’t sting. Use insecticidal dust in galleries, seal holes and paint/stain exteriors to deter nesting. Call a beekeeper to safely relocate hives.

Stinging Insects in Georgia

Some insects prevalent in Georgia can give a painful and potentially dangerous sting if accidentally encountered or provoked. Here’s how to identify and avoid them.

Honey Bees

Honey bees pollinate crops statewide. Nesting in colonies, they become defensive if their hive is disturbed. Multiple stings can be life threatening to those allergic. Give any hive a wide berth, avoid swatting bees and seek shelter if attacked.

Yellow Jackets

Aggressive yellow jackets thrive statewide and build nests in wall voids, trees and underground. They scavenge for food at picnics and trash cans. Yellow jacket stings are painful and cause local swelling. Use wasp spray to kill them from a distance.

Paper Wasps

Recognizable by their papery umbrella-shaped nests in building eaves and trees, paper wasps generally won’t sting unless their nest is threatened. Stings are painful but less venomous than those of yellow jackets. Knock down nests with a broom at night when wasps are less active.

Bald-Faced Hornets

Related to yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets build large aerial nests and deliver fierce stings when disturbed. They frequent picnic areas in late summer seeking sweets. Steer clear of nests and call a professional to remove them. Their stings can be medical emergencies for those allergic.

Venomous Spiders in Georgia

A few select spider species in Georgia pack a medically significant venomous bite. Learn how to identify them and avoid bites.

Black Widow Spiders

The legendary black widow with its ominous red hourglass is found across Georgia in dark corners of woodpiles, sheds and crawlspaces. The neurotoxic venom can cause muscle spasms and breathing difficulties. Their bites are rare. Seek medical care if bitten.

Brown Recluse Spiders

While not native, brown recluse spiders do occur in Georgia usually via transported goods. Their hemotoxic venom destroys red blood cells and skin tissue, creating an enlarging necrotic lesion. Seek immediate medical care if bitten to limit damage.

Hobo Spiders

European hobo spiders are not native but have become established in Georgia homes, often entering from garages and basements. They have a milder venom than recluses, but bites still warrant medical evaluation. Redness and blistering may occur.

Nuisance Biting Pests in Georgia

Beyond insects, Georgia is also home to a few other biting arthropods that while not medically threatening, can still be bothersome pests.

Chiggers

The juvenile mites called chiggers thrive in grassy and overgrown areas in Georgia. They attach to the skin and inject enzymes that digest cells, causing intensely itchy welts. Treat lawns to control chiggers. Apply calamine lotion to reduce itching from bites.

Ticks

Growing deer populations in Georgia sustain high tick numbers, with peak activity during spring and summer. Ticks transmit various debilitating diseases. Check for and remove ticks promptly after being in tick habitat. Use repellents when outdoors.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are increasingly problematic pests even in clean homes. Their bites cluster in lines. Eliminate bed bugs through professional heat treatments. Replace infested mattresses and use bed bug proof encasements to prevent reinfestation.

Beneficial Insects in Georgia

Not all insects in Georgia are pests. Many beneficial species provide vital ecological services like pollination and pest control that support agriculture and natural ecosystems statewide.

Honey Bees

Domesticated honey bees are hugely important crop pollinators in Georgia, responsible for over $100 million in added crop value annually. Their wild cousins also pollinate native plants important for wildlife habitat and soil conservation.

Butterflies

Georgia is home to over 100 species of beautiful butterflies that along with moths and skippers, provide essential pollination services. Popular ones include monarchs, swallowtails, fritillaries and buckeyes. Support butterflies by planting nectar sources.

Lady Beetles

Commonly known as ladybugs, the many species of lady beetles are valuable natural predators of aphids, scale insects, mites and other garden pests. Attract them to your yard by planting pollen and nectar sources.

Lacewings

Delicate green or brown lacewings with net-veined wings are seen fluttering at night in Georgia gardens where they prey on soft-bodied insects like aphids, caterpillars, thrips and mites. Support them by avoiding pesticides.

Understanding the most common insect species, both harmful and helpful, is key to effective pest management and fostering a healthy garden ecosystem in Georgia. Always practice tolerance of non-threatening insects in your landscape.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.