Mosquitoes are pesky insects that attack
mammals and birds in order to feed off their
blood. The female mosquito will bite the
skin of animals and people, leaving its saliva
in the wound. The mosquito's saliva triggers
an immune response in the victim and so causes
swelling and itching until the body’s immune
system breaks down the saliva. Mosquitoes
use the carbon dioxide and lactic acid given
off by mammals to hone in on them from up
to 100 feet away. They are also attracted
to certain chemicals in sweat and can detect
body heat.
Mosquitoes are dangerous pests because their
bites can cause more than just temporary
discomfort. Mosquitoes are carriers of such
serious diseases as malaria, yellow fever,
and Dengue fever. They can also cause encephalitis
and West Nile virus. All of these can result
in permanent damage to the body and even
death.
If you would like to reduce your
changes
of being bitten by mosquitoes,
consider the
following:
- Mosquitoes hatch from eggs that the females
lay in standing bodies of water, so you should
eliminate any possibilities of water collecting
on your property. Steps include: emptying
gardening watering cans, throwing away old
tires, frequently changing the water in bird
baths, and covering barrels that collect
rainwater. You can add specially manufactured
chemicals to water gardens to make them safe.
Adding a water feature to a pond or water
garden that disrupts the surface of the water
is another option.
- Cover as much of your body with clothing
as possible when you are outside. Apply mosquito
repellants that contain the chemical solution
commonly known as DEET to any exposed areas
of skin.
- Burning citronella candles can keep mosquitoes
away from very limited areas around dining
and seating spaces. Propane mosquito traps can clear areas up to one and one half acres.
Be aware that bug zappers that use ultraviolet
light to attract bugs are not effective against
mosquitoes and may instead eliminate many
beneficial bugs. |
