When you think about the world’s deadliest creatures, you might picture one of the big cats or even something that lives deep in the ocean. What you probably don’t picture is the tiny mosquito. However, officials now believe that the mosquito is probably one of the most dangerous and deadly creatures in existence. It is estimated that mosquitoes kill as many 725,000 people annually. What can you do to protect yourself from these tiny but potentially harmful insects? Read below to learn some helpful tips to keep your mosquito population under control.
Facts about Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are some of the most familiar insects in the world. Most people are aware of these tiny flying creatures and have had to deal with their itchy bites many times.
Mosquitoes are considered predatory insects because they seek out humans in order to feed on their blood. There are literally billions of mosquitoes over the surface of the earth at any given time. The sheer number of mosquitoes that exist means that they are potentially able to create more disease and illness than anything else in the world. Male mosquitoes prefer to feed on the nectar of flowers while female mosquitoes prefer human blood as their food source.
Why are Mosquitoes so Harmful?
Mosquitoes are capable of carrying many types of pathogens and diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Recently, there has been a lot of concern over the Zika virus and its potential to be transmitted through mosquito bites. Aside from Zika, however, mosquitoes have been transmitting serious diseases for many decades. In fact, mosquitoes remain the most common method by which malaria is spread. They are also capable of carrying dengue fever, yellow fever, and viruses that can result in encephalitis. Mosquitoes bite animals as well, and they can spread the sometimes lethal disease heartworm to dogs.
How You Can Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes
There are several ways in which you can protect yourself from mosquito bites and reduce the number of mosquitoes that congregate around your home. If you’re going to be outside while mosquitoes are active, you can use a bug repellant spray. Citronella candles can also help deter mosquitoes, but they must be used outdoors only. If it isn’t too hot outside, it’s advisable to wear long sleeved tops and long pants to reduce the amount of skin exposed to mosquitoes.
To reduce the number of mosquitoes that gather on your property, it is best to get rid of any collections of stagnant water you may have. This can include bodies of water as small as a puddle or water that accumulates in the saucer used under a potted plant. Mosquitoes are drawn to stagnant water more than anything else since they use this water as an egg laying area.
The MosquitoNix Pledge
MosquitoNix is proud to offer our customers many options that can reduce their mosquito population and effectively remove existing infestations. If you are having issues with mosquitoes or other pests, please contact MosquitoNix in Austin for a variety of treatment options. We want to keep your family safe from these annoying and potentially hazardous insects.
