Mosquitoes aren’t just a problem in swamps or tropical climates, they are common pests the world over. Not only are they annoying and gross to look at, but mosquitoes are also some of the most dangerous pests to encounter because of the pathogens they spread. Learning the answers to the biggest questions about these parasites is smart for everyone to do.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite You?
Mosquitoes are parasites that feed on the blood of large mammals. This includes everything from cattle to people, which is part of the reason why mosquitoes are such problematic disease transmitters. But most people don’t realize that only female mosquitoes bite. It’s true, males instead eat pollen from plants and are therefore not known as “vectors” or spreaders of diseases. Females, on the other hand, need the nutrients found in our blood to produce and fertilize their eggs. This is why mosquitoes will seek out people to feed on for miles around, and it’s what makes them such common yard pests. While other pests might be attracted in search of food, mosquitoes are looking to feed off of us directly.
Is It Bad If A Mosquito Bites You?
The vast majority of mosquito bites don’t cause anything more than an itchy mark on the skin. While these are certainly uncomfortable -- and the thought of a bug drawing out your blood is disturbing -- the bites aren’t dangerous in and of themselves. But it’s the chance that mosquitoes could carry diseases that they plant directly into your bloodstream that should be taken seriously. As mosquito populations grow and migrate, they can bring with them diseases like West Nile virus, Ebola, and dengue fever. While people can often recover from these illnesses with proper medical care, the symptoms can be severe and no one likes a trip to the hospital. It’s these dangers that make mosquitoes such serious pests, and it’s why everyone should take proper pest control seriously.
How Many Times Will One Mosquito Bite You?
Unlike bees, which often die from using their rear stingers to pierce our skin, mosquitoes can keep on biting and feeding on the same organism until it’s full. While it’s tempting to smack a mosquito when it lands on you, this can push their needle-like nose deeper into your skin, causing worse pain and bruising. Having to fish a mosquito proboscis out of your arm with a pair of tweezers isn’t pleasant, either. That’s why the best way to stop mosquito bites is to prevent their populations from moving into your yard in the first place, and by turning to expert solutions to get rid of existing populations.
What Is The Best Way To Keep Mosquitoes Away?
People will try all kinds of homemade concoctions or fancy products to try and get rid of mosquitoes or keep them out of their yard. While certain essential oils and sprays can temporarily ward off mosquitoes -- through treated garments or sprays that can be safely worn on the skin -- these aren’t outright solutions. Instead, turn to American Pest Solutions for our proven treatments. We break our mosquito treatments into three simple steps:
- Thorough inspection: First, a technician will come to your property and thoroughly inspect it for signs of mosquitoes or other pests. We’ll not only identify populations, but we’ll also help you identify things that might be attracting them.
- Yard treatments: Using a back-mounted mister, your technician will then thoroughly treat your exterior and yard with an effective and safe solution, which gets rid of existing mosquitoes and wards off future ones from invading.
- Mosquito breeding treatments: The most important areas to treat are the ones where mosquitoes nest. Only experts can find all of them, which is why you should contact American Pest Solutions right away.