Mosquitoes and their Diseases

The Mosquito
You know what it’s like to have your share of annoying mosquito encounters or to be chased inside by the attacking insects from what was expected to be a relaxing stroll in the neighborhood or a book on the porch. More pressingly, you might be familiar with the sight of your child intently scratching and reddening their signature bite welts.

Most mosquito species are a blood-sucking nuisance to humans and pets, and some individuals can transmit severe diseases while they bite. Mosquitoes have been linked to major historical outbreaks, including malaria. In fact, mosquitoes have been responsible for more deaths than any other living creature on Earth! It has therefore been suggested by some experts that mosquitos are the most dangerous animals on the planet. Even those mosquitoes that will not transmit disease can still leave uncomfortable bites and nasty welts that can be quite miserable or even painful, especially in large numbers.

Mosquitoes exist in three life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Their development from egg to larva can take place in 4 days to a week, and mosquitoes in the adult stage can survive for 4 to 8 weeks. A mosquito egg can actually survive for over 6 years before hatching. Mosquitoes require water in order to lay eggs, so stagnant water in your lawn is prime breeding ground for them.

The diet of male mosquitos in fact consists of plant glucose – not blood. It is interesting to note that it is actually only female mosquitoes that bite. There are over 150 species of mosquitos in the United States, and most of those do not transmit diseases, but of the ones that do, the diseases can be quite severe.

Members of the majority of mosquito species do not like to be out in intense heat and prefer to stay in cooler shaded areas under leaves and similar foliage during the hottest hours of the day. Therefore, they are much more active at dawn and towards dusk. A significant exception is our archenemy – the tiger mosquito, which has a black and white striped body and is active during the day. However, if provoked or disturbed, even members of the nocturnally-active species will come out and bite at any time. It is noteworthy that mosquitoes are attracted by carbon dioxide, which is one of the main gasses we – and all mammals – exhale when we breathe. The SWAT Team does not recommend ceasing one’s breathing in order to avoid mosquitoes. We have healthier techniques.

Diseases
Mosquitos have been proven to transmit various diseases, such as malaria and the West Nile Virus, by delivering bacteria through its bite. There have been over 30,000 cases of the West Nile Virus reported in the United States since it first appeared in the country in 1999, and nearly 10% of national deaths from the disease have occurred in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Mosquitoes can prove highly dangerous for pets as well, as some of them can transmit deadly heartworm to dogs and cats alike.

Mosquitos have been proven to transmit various diseases, such as malaria and the West Nile virus, by delivering bacteria or viral entities through its bite. There have been over 30,000 cases of the West Nile virus reported in the United States since it first appeared in the country in 1999, and nearly 10% of national deaths from the disease have occurred in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Symptoms of the West Nile virus can last up to several weeks and in some cases can resemble the flu by including a fever as well as headaches, chills, drowsiness, excessive sweating, and fatigue. Other cases can be marked by meningitis or muscular weakness. There have been well over 30,000 reported cases of the virus in America, and well over 1,000 of those have proved fatal, however, cases largely go unreported, partially due to some symptoms being similar to the flu.

Mosquitoes are not only a danger to your human family but can prove highly dangerous for pets as well, as some of them can transmit not only the West Nile virus but also deadly heartworm to dogs and cats alike.

Arsenal
Though we provide a mosquito control service here in Maryland, prevention starts with you. Are you a part-time mosquito breeder? If you leave holes in the ground unfilled or outdoor containers open where rainwater can collect, you may inadvertently be providing mosquitos with optimal breeding grounds. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, and they do so in staggering numbers. A single mosquito can potentially be responsible for having up to one billion offspring in one month (assuming all the hatchlings survive)! That is a mind-boggling number at a mind-boggling rate. The first thing one should do to prevent a severe mosquito infestation is dump out any outdoor containers holding water, such as uncovered garbage cans or children’s playground toys, and fill any water-containing depressions in the ground near one’s home with soil. Afterwards, if you are still experiencing an annoying mosquito problem or you want to more thoroughly prevent one, it is a recommended that you employ the expertise of experienced and professionals.

The war for peace on the porch rages every year, as the two sides are balanced out with reason, ingenuity, tact, and weapons on your side and sheer numbers on the mosquitoes’ side. Fortunately for you, the SWAT Team has a formidable arsenal of proven mosquito yard control tactics, and reliable experience to help you reconquer your hammock. That experience comes from decades of properly treating and eliminating mosquito infestations using responsible, environmentally conscious, and effective procedures via a team of well-trained and knowledgeable technicians. We make child and pet safety our number one priority. Call today, and let us make your mosquito problem history.