Why do mosquitos carry diseases?

This is a question that Santa Rosa Exterminators often fields when we are working with a customer in need of mosquito eradication; why mosquitoes carry disease. I would first like to point out that not all mosquitoes carry disease, otherwise we would all be sick with who knows what. But they are all an annoyance that we would be better off without. Recently, there has been a lot of concern since the media reported on a West Nile Virus case in the county of Sacramento. If these disease harboring vectors are in Sacramento, they can be in the city of Santa Rosa too because the cities are not that far apart. This notion is cause for concern and if you have a lot of mosquitoes around your home, it would be a good idea to contact a pest control Santa Rosa Professional (link) sooner rather than later.
The biology and habits of mosquitoes are well understood. We know they breed and produce offspring in standing water. The mosquito larvae remain in the standing water feeding on tiny organisms until they mature, become an adult, and fly off to bite someone or something. It is when they bite humans or animals that a potential infection may occur. Serious infections from mosquito bites include West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Rift Valley Fever, Malaria, and much more. If you would like to learn more about the diseases mosquitoes spread, check out this site. Fortunately for us here on the west coast we really do not need to worry about most of the diseases mentioned at this point. But, with the climate warming up, an opportunity is presenting itself for the geographic spread of different diseases. And, with the recent diagnosis of West Nile Virus in Sacramento, the spread of these dangerous diseases to the United States may become a reality. That is why it is important to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by calling a Pest Control Santa Rosa Professional.

​Why do Mosquitoes bite? 

Much like other animals and insects, mosquitoes require sustenance to survive. In their case, they feed off the protein in blood. Female mosquitoes bite, the males do not. I am sure you often wonder how these mosquitoes track you down in the vast expanses of our world. Well, there are several things that help mosquitoes locate you, which include the carbon dioxide we exhale, the heat our bodies produce, and the body odor we emit. When you are with a group of friends, have you ever noticed that one person in the group get bit more often than others? We currently do not have a reason of exactly why this happens. There is some evidence that blood type plays a role. For example, in a recent study the mosquitoes landed on people with type O blood twice as much as people with type A or B. This could be due to the secretions we produce that tells the mosquito it is time for supper. It is quite possible as well that people who exercise frequently may be a more sought-after target. The reason being we secrete lactic acid through our skin, which is a byproduct of exercise. Lactic acid can serve as another feeding cue. Even the clothes we wear can have an impact on the amount of times we get bit. Mosquitoes have quite good vision. They can see contrasting colors. It might make sense to wear camouflage believe it or not. With all this said, mosquitoes will find you and they will bite. The key is to minimize your chance of getting bit. 

​How do we prevent mosquito bites? 

Lucky for you, this Santa Rosa Pest Control expert has some excellent tips.

• First off, avoid times when you know mosquitoes will be active. Peak activity for mosquitoes is in the morning before the sun rises and the evening before the sun sets. If you exercise, it might be appropriate to change the time to the afternoon if at all possible.
• Try to cover as much skin as possible. Mosquitoes can definitely bite through some clothes so it is important to wear clothing that is a little thicker if at all possible or clothing that cannot be penetrated.
• Wearing a good insect repellent is a great for added protection. You want to choose a repellent that has a good protection time. For example, 5% deet will give you about an hour and a half of protection. Despite a lot of negative news around deet, a recent study demonstrated the ingredient does not pose a risk to your health.
• Hanging out in an area where the winds blows through or keeping outside fans on to circulate the air is a good way to avoid getting bit. Mosquitoes are not the best at moving around and wind greatly hinders their ability to fly.
• Candles like citronella have not been proven to repel mosquitoes.

​What do you do to minimize the effect of a mosquito bite?

Each person on this planet is a little different physiologically. That said, each of us will react differently to a mosquito bite and the chemicals in the saliva from the mosquito. The absolute worst thing you can do is scratch the affected area. In doing so, your body will release more histamine, which is an immune reaction and the result of toxins introduced in to your system. Instead of scratching, try putting an ice cube on the bite area. The itch and the cold ice will be felt along the same nerve in your body but the ice and cold sensation it produces will outweigh the itching and the signal of the itchiness will be dulled if not completely removed. Anti-itch cream can also be helpful. The last piece of advice to ameliorate itching from this Santa Rosa Pest Control expert is to take an antihistamine like Benadryl. We only recommend Benadryl as a last resort if the itching is just too much to handle.

​How do you prevent getting bit by a mosquito?

• Eliminate any areas with standing water. This can include bird baths and potted plants. Be sure to do a perimeter check around your home and search out any areas with standing water.

• Make sure you have screens on all your doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Avoid peak times when mosquitoes are active.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when you are outside.
• Utilize an appropriate insect repellent.

If you have a large population of mosquitoes around your home or business, we definitely recommend you contact a Pest Control Santa Rosa Professional right away. Allow the pest control professionals to do their job. For more information, you can visit our website at http://santarosaexterminators.com. We hope you have found this information useful and that the next time you are out and about, with the tips and tricks we have provided, that you will have far less or no mosquito bites. Give this Pest Control Santa Rosa professional a call today for a free consultation.