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11 Things You Need to Know About Mosquitoes

Key Points

  • Out of the 3,500 species of mosquitoes, only about 200 drink human blood, and all of them are female. The swelling and itching from a mosquito bite is caused by an anti-coagulant in the mosquito's saliva.
  • Mosquitoes can breed in tiny pools of water, so keeping your yard clear of debris and receptacles can help reduce the mosquito population. They are least active during the heat of the day.
  • The CDC approves four products to deter mosquitoes: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (or its synthetic version, PMD), and IR3535 insect repellent. Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide in our breath, lactic acid in our sweat, and other chemicals our bodies emit.
  • While some scientists believe mosquitoes could become extinct without harming the environment, others worry about the impact on the food chain. Mosquitoes transmit several diseases including malaria, yellow fever, West Nile Virus, and Chikungunya.
  • It's important to seek medical attention if you experience unusual symptoms after a mosquito bite, as complications from mosquito-transmitted illnesses can be serious if not treated promptly.

Some folks can sit outside for hours in the summer evenings without a nibble, while their companions sit a few feet away and get gnawed to ribbons. Mosquitos - particularly mosquito bites - are odd and annoying, and sometimes even deadly. What do you and your family need to know about these tiny yet fearsome beasts?

11 Things You Need to Know About Mosquitoes

Key Points

  • Out of the 3,500 species of mosquitoes, only about 200 drink human blood, and all of them are female. The swelling and itching from a mosquito bite is caused by an anti-coagulant in the mosquito's saliva.
  • Mosquitoes can breed in tiny pools of water, so keeping your yard clear of debris and receptacles can help reduce the mosquito population. They are least active during the heat of the day.
  • The CDC approves four products to deter mosquitoes: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (or its synthetic version, PMD), and IR3535 insect repellent. Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide in our breath, lactic acid in our sweat, and other chemicals our bodies emit.
  • While some scientists believe mosquitoes could become extinct without harming the environment, others worry about the impact on the food chain. Mosquitoes transmit several diseases including malaria, yellow fever, West Nile Virus, and Chikungunya.
  • It's important to seek medical attention if you experience unusual symptoms after a mosquito bite, as complications from mosquito-transmitted illnesses can be serious if not treated promptly.

Some folks can sit outside for hours in the summer evenings without a nibble, while their companions sit a few feet away and get gnawed to ribbons. Mosquitos - particularly mosquito bites - are odd and annoying, and sometimes even deadly. What do you and your family need to know about these tiny yet fearsome beasts?

1. Not All Mosquitoes Drink Your Blood 

There are about 3,500 species of mosquitos, but only about 200 actually drink human blood. All of those that do are female. They only need the human blood to reproduce. Their gentle male counterparts fare well on a vegetable diet alone. When you get a bite, it's better to treat with an antibacterial ointment. Care now prevents infection later.

2. Mosquito Saliva Causes the Bump and Itching

The mosquito bite doesn't cause the swelling and itching. It's actually caused by an anti-coagulant produced in the mosquito's saliva. Though for the bitten person, it makes no difference. The saliva causes an allergic reaction, which produces the annoying itch.

3. Mosquitoes Can Grow in the Tiniest Pools of Water

Experts have found mosquitos growing in a tiny drop of water left in a plastic soda bottle cap after a rain. It takes very little sitting water to produce mosquitos, and keeping the yard clear of debris and receptacles is a good way to reduce the mosquito population in your neighborhood. Clean bird baths regularly, as these are a safe harbor for baby mosquitos.

4. Mosquitoes are Least Active in the Afternoon

To avoid mosquito bites, do your outdoor activities during the heat of the day in the middle of the afternoon. This is a two-sided issue though, because it's also the most likely time to get heat stroke and sunburn.

5. There Are Only 4 Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Instead of braving the 90 degree heat at 2 p.m. in July, try one of the four products approved by the CDC to deter mosquitos:

  • Products containing DEET
  • Products containing Picaridin
  • Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (or its synthetic version, PMD)
  • IR3535 insect repellent 

6. Sweat and Breath Attract Mosquitoes

Carbon dioxide in our breath, lactic acid in our sweat, and other chemicals our bodies emit attract nasty mosquitos. Some research also suggests that drinking beer may up your chances of getting bitten.

7. Some Scientists Think Mosquito Extinction Would Be Okay

Proposing species extinction of any kind is a touchy subject, but some scientists say the environment could go on fine without these pests. Others, however, worry about how to feed spiders, frogs, fish, and other insects in their absence.

8. Mosquitoes Carry Malaria

Mosquitos transmit deadly malaria, which infects 250 million people each year, and kills 1 million of its victims. Most of these cases are in Africa. The disease causes fever, chills, shakes, and anemia, and often presents like the common flu.

9. Mosquitoes Carry Yellow Fever

Though the U.S. hasn't had an outbreak of Yellow Fever since 1905, the disease can be blamed on a banana boat that slipped by authorities and infected Italian dock workers who unloaded the ship. It causes irregular heartbeat, bleeding, delirium, coma, fever, headache, jaundice, muscle aches, seizures, vomiting, and possibly death.

10. Mosquitoes Carry West Nile Virus

This disease was once blamed on birds, but scientists now know it is transmitted by mosquitos. Causing fever, rash, headaches, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea, and swollen lymph glands, West Nile Virus usually appears within 3-14 days after the bite, and can last 3-6 days. In extreme cases, it can lead to paralysis, confusion, tremors and convulsions, and a coma.

11. Mosquitos Carry Chikungunya

Causing a fever, rash, joint pain or arthritis, headache, loss of taste, and other potential symptoms, this disease first appeared in Kenya after the drought in 2004. It has not yet hit the United States, but experts feel this is a possibility at any given time. If you get any strange symptoms following a mosquito bite, visit an urgent care facility, emergency room, or contact your family physician as soon as possible.

The worst complications due to a mosquito bite can usually be identified and treated with success. However, patients who don't seek treatment in time face the highest risks of serious complications after contracting a mosquito transmitted illness.

Be safe. When in doubt, see your doctor or visit an urgent care center!

Frequently asked questions

  • Do all mosquitoes drink human blood?

    No, out of the approximately 3,500 species of mosquitoes, only about 200 actually drink human blood. Furthermore, only female mosquitoes need human blood, which they use to reproduce.
  • What causes the swelling and itching from a mosquito bite?

    The swelling and itching from a mosquito bite is not caused by the bite itself, but by an anti-coagulant found in the mosquito's saliva. This saliva causes an allergic reaction, which results in the itchiness.
  • What conditions are conducive for mosquitoes to grow?

    Mosquitoes can grow in very small pools of water. Even a tiny drop of water left in a plastic soda bottle cap can breed mosquitoes. Therefore, keeping your yard clear of debris and receptacles that can collect water can help reduce the mosquito population.
  • When are mosquitoes least active?

    Mosquitoes are least active during the heat of the day in the middle of the afternoon. However, this is also the time when the risk of heat stroke and sunburn is highest.
  • What are the CDC approved products to deter mosquitoes?

    The CDC has approved four products to deter mosquitoes. These are products containing DEET, products containing Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (or its synthetic version, PMD), and IR3535 insect repellent.
  • What attracts mosquitoes to humans?

    Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide in our breath, the lactic acid in our sweat, and other chemicals that our bodies emit. Some research also suggests that drinking beer may increase your chances of getting bitten.
  • What is the impact of mosquitoes on human health?

    Mosquitoes can transmit several diseases to humans, including malaria, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and Chikungunya. These diseases can cause a range of symptoms, from fever and rash to more serious conditions like seizures, coma, and even death.
  • What should I do if I have strange symptoms following a mosquito bite?

    If you experience any unusual symptoms following a mosquito bite, you should seek medical attention immediately. This could be at an urgent care facility, an emergency room, or through your family physician.

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