Why We Hate Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes: The insects that everyone wishes they could do without. How often do you imagine what the world we be like if we simply got rid of mosquitoes? After all, what good are they? Although these buggers are no good to us as humans, many animals live in harmony with these real-life vampires. For instance, some of the well-known critters that feast on mosquito adults and larvae include dragonflies, fish, red-eared slider turtles, and bats.

So, no matter how much we may want to turn these flying pests to dust, they have to stick around to nourish other, less intrusive, wildlife. That said, there is a lot we must remain aware of to keep ourselves protected from the infamous mosquito bite. Mosquitoes continue to set and break world records among non-human living organisms – but not in a good way. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has referred to the insect as one of the deadliest creatures in the world.

Each year, mosquitoes account for approximately 725,000 deaths – making up for 17% of the global burden of infectious diseases. This is more than 5x the number of fatalities attributed to venomous snake bites and several thousand times more than shark attacks! Some of the most well-known illnesses spread by mosquitoes to humans include malaria, West Nile virus, Zika virus, yellow fever, and dengue fever. 

These diseases aren’t necessarily the fault of the mosquito, though. They are just vessels doing the dirty work of much smaller organisms living inside of them. It is for this reason that mosquitoes and other insects that transmit such diseases are known as “vectors.” Before a mosquito feeds on you, it most likely feeds on the blood of another organism – perhaps a mammal or a bird. If this bird is infected with the West Nile virus, for example, the mosquito will contract the virus from the bird’s blood and subsequently function as a host body where the virus can mature before the next bloodmeal. Once the virus has matured, it enters the salivary glands that are connected to the mouthparts that pierce your skin when the mosquito bites you. This results in the mosquito transmitting the virus to you, resulting in you contracting the West Nile virus.

So how do you protect yourself against a process such as this? One that, frankly, doesn’t seem to be under anyone’s control, even the mosquitoes? On one end, pest control professionals have several methods of controlling mosquito populations and activity. One example is “Integrated Pest Management (IPM):” This is when environmental, chemical and biological methods are used in combination to reduce or eliminate the risk of negative impacts of mosquitoes on human populations. This is the most effective way to control this insect since it’s not exclusive to one species at a time. Since the US is home to about 200 different species of mosquitoes, this is your best option for reliable, long-term defense.

But your defense tactics don’t have to stop there. You can take measures to shield yourself from these notorious biters by applying these three practices to your daily life:

• Cover up any bare skin. Exposed skin is a vulnerable target to hungry mosquitoes (which, by the way, are exclusively females, since males do not feed on blood, but nectar only). Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants are reliable methods of protection when outside for short periods.
• Apply insect repellent. You can do this in combination with protective clothing by either spraying the repellent either directly on your skin or onto your clothing. 
• Regular yard maintenance. Many people do not know it, but this is one way to assist your pest control professionals in their work to protect your home. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, so regularly draining potted plants, for example, can severely reduce the number of insects hanging around your house. 

No matter what you do, without professional help, your home will remain vulnerable to mosquitoes in your area. For reliable protection against this infamous insect, you need the help of At Ease Pest Control. We are a veteran-owned and operated company serving the residents of North Carolina with customized plans according to unique needs from household to household. If you are ready for some peace of mind in your defense against mosquitoes, call for your free estimate today!