Why The Mosquito Is More Than Just Another Annoying Bug in Arlington, VA
For sure, mosquitoes are annoying little creatures. They can single-handedly ruin your outdoor experience during summer and fall. They can also infest your yard and turn it into a jungle. As if these are not bad enough, mosquitoes can transmit disease. We could all do without their annoying buzz sounds, their bites, and the diseases they transmit.
If all they did was buzz around, we would probably not be so troubled about mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the real problems begin once they bite:
Nearly everyone is sensitive to mosquito bites. But for those with severe allergies, symptoms can be more than just annoying: They can be serious. Most bites occur at either dusk or dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. While male mosquitoes are harmless — feeding only on nectar and water — female mosquitoes are out for blood.
A female mosquito locks onto her victim using a combination of scent, exhaled carbon dioxide, and chemicals in the person’s sweat. When she finds a suitable meal, she lands on an area of exposed skin and inserts her proboscis to draw the victim’s blood. The proboscis is the long, flexible tube extruding from her head, and it’s capable of piercing human skin. The common symptoms — a red bump and itching — aren’t caused by the bite itself, but by the reaction of your body’s immune system to proteins in the mosquito’s saliva. This reaction is also known as Skeeter syndrome. Read more at Healthline…
Apparently, female mosquitoes have preferences. Although they are bloodsuckers, they have a liking for men, pregnant women, people with blood type O, or those who are just from exercising.
If you fall into any of the aforementioned categories, you may want to be extra cautious. How do you keep yourself from the bites? Or what do you do when you have a mosquito bite? Here are some tips:
Avoid scratching: Scratching provides only temporary relief and scratching too much can result in breaking the skin. Once you break the skin you may start bleeding and run the risk of infection.
Use lotion: There are a few over-the-counter anti-itch lotions that might help alleviate the itching of the common mosquito bite. The most effective lotions contain one or more of these ingredients: calamine, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or hydrocortisone.
Cold compresses: Ice packs may help alleviate itching. The ice constricts blood vessels in the area, which blocks blood flow to and from the bite. Whenever you use ice for any injury or ailment, keep the ice on for only about 15 minutes and don’t put ice or bags containing ice directly on the skin. Putting ice on the skin for too long can result in frostbite. Read more at Verywell Health…
During warmer months, you will do well to put on proper clothing at the very least. Also, getting rid of other factors that promote the breeding of mosquitoes will be helpful. These include draining any standing water and cutting any long grass around your yard.
Beyond avoiding the itchy mosquito bites, these measures can keep you safe. You also won’t contract any mosquito-borne illnesses. One of them that is quite fatal is dengue fever.
Dengue Fever is a very serious mosquito-borne disease comprised of four different strains.
If not treated promptly, or if another strain of the disease is contracted, a more severe disease, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever will almost always follow, resulting in death or permanent disabilities of the victim. Proper protection against Dengue Fever can prevent the unfortunate from happening…
Dengue fever is a serious mosquito-borne disease. It is most common in subtropical and tropical climates, especially in the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. However, it can be found almost anywhere where the Aedes mosquito lives. According to the CDC, up to 400 million people are infected by dengue fever each year. An additional 100 million people are at risk of being infected. Read more at Mosquito Magnet…
Who would want to take any chances with mosquitoes? So, your best decision would be to ensure your yard is mosquito-free.
Backyard Bug Patrol offers you an effective mosquito control and eradication plan. Our job is to help you take back your yard. You won’t have to worry about mosquito bites or mosquito-borne illnesses, and your family members will be safe. Call us today!