Zika
This is a viral infection that can lead to serious consequences. Studies have shown that this virus can cause microcephaly in unborn children and lead to birth defects that can have lifelong implications. While Zika is not yet endemic to the U.S. there is fear that it may soon be. It is important that we all take time to learn how to prevent the spread of Zika.
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Malaria
This is an illness caused by a protozoan parasite that invades the red blood cells of the body. It produces flu-like symptoms, including shaking chills and severe fever. Malaria can be fatal and it is considered the deadliest mosquito-borne virus in the world. It was once endemic to the United States but now it only occurs in small and sporadic outbreaks.
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Yellow Fever
This a viral infection that can be transmitted by mosquitoes. Its yellow fever name is linked to the fact that it affects the liver and can cause a yellowing of the skin. While rare in the United States, when outbreaks occur, they are tracked closely by health agencies due to the seriousness of the sickness that can arise.
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Dengue Fever
This is a viral disease that is often referred to as bone-break fever due to the intense pain associated with it. It produces flu-like symptoms that can sometimes lead to lethal complications. This virus is a serious threat in areas where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes maintain populations.
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West Nile Virus
This is a flavivirus that uses mosquitoes to move from animals to humans, usually between birds and humans, though horses are a notable reservoir. It is estimated that as many as 80 percent of people who are infected do not show any symptoms. When symptoms occur, fever, lethargy, and encephalitis are most common. Severe symptoms include disorientation, tremors, convulsions, coma, paralysis, and death. Of all the mosquito-borne viruses in the U.S., West Nile virus claims the most lives each year. Â Â
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Chikungunya
This is a viral disease that can become serious. Like many other mosquito-borne viruses, Chikungunya produces flu-like symptoms. It is also associated with joint swelling, rash, muscle pain and headaches. This virus is primarily spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
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Encephalitis
There are many cataloged forms of encephalitis but the word encephalitis simply means an inflammation of the brain. This disease can be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic. Despite medical improvements and intensive care support, this illness still has a high mortality rate in the United States.
Why Mosquitoes Invade Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. YardsÂ
We all know mosquito bite. So it is easy to think that they come into our yards to bite us. But that is actually not the case. Mosquitoes can come into your yard long before they even know you exist.
What draws them is vegetation. There are a few reasons for this. Mosquitoes require a lot of moisture to survive. When you water the plants around your home, you create the perfect hiding place for mosquitoes.
Those mosquitoes also feed on the sap of plants to get carbohydrates. That gives them even more reason to want to hang out in your landscaping. But the attractant that you should be most concerned about is stagnant water. If water sits stagnant for more than a week, mosquitoes can breed in your yard—and it only takes a half a cup of water or an inch deep puddle for most mosquitoes to do it.
Therefore, removing these stagnant water breeding sites can have a big impact on mosquito populations in your yard.
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Why Mosquitoes Are Attracted to Certain People
Do you know that some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others? It's true. There are certain characteristics that can make you more interesting to mosquitoes. Understanding them could help you avoid being bitten.
Dark colors. Mosquitoes can't see very well and they often use a dark silhouette of a person against the brighter color of the sky to lock in on them. If you wear dark colors, you'll be easier for mosquitoes to bite.
Sweat. If you like to go for a jog outside, you could make yourself attractive to mosquitoes. They are drawn to moist skin.
Temperature. When you exercise outside you also increase your body temperature. Mosquitoes love warm bodies because it means there is more blood flowing.
CO2. Do you breathe? Most people do. But each breath you exhale can attract mosquitoes to you. Those mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide.
Skin. Do you like to wear shorts and T-shirts? If you do, you'll give those mosquitoes more skin to bite and more reason to target you over your friend wearing pants and long sleeves.
Alcohol. A Japanese study concluded that drinking one beer can increase mosquito attraction, though the researchers were not sure what led to this attraction. It might be that consuming alcohol increases body temperature and can cause sweating.
Chemicals. There are an estimated 400 chemical compounds on human skin that could lead to greater mosquito attraction. Some scientists have concluded that a chemical known at nonanal (pronounced NAWN-uh-nawl) is most responsible for this attraction. If your skin has more mosquito-attracting chemicals, you're going to have more trouble with mosquitoes.
