If you’re spending time outdoors, or even just trying to enjoy your yard, few things are more annoying than dealing with mosquitoes in Atlanta flying around. These flying insects are some of the most hated pests because of their tendency to drink blood and leave behind itchy marks that can last for days. Dealing with these extremely itchy bites is frustrating, but mosquitoes aren’t just nuisance pests. They are also quite dangerous as they can spread many illnesses.
Because of the risk of mosquitoes, we’ve put together this guide to help you understand mosquito bites, learn how to keep mosquitoes away from your yard, and avoid mosquito bites.
What Do Mosquitoes Look Like?
To start with, mosquitoes are small flying insects with long, narrow bodies and thin legs. They have translucent wings and a rather humped appearance when not flying.
One of the key identifying characteristics of the mosquito is the thin, nose-like appendage that they use to consume blood or nectar. This needle-like mouth part is called a proboscis. While their coloring and markings can vary, mosquitoes are usually a grayish color.
However, it’s actually only the females of the species that bite animals or humans to get a blood meal. This is because they need the extra protein in their blood to lay their eggs. The males, on the other hand, only drink nectar from plants.
What Happens When You’re Bitten By A Mosquito?
Mosquito bites differ from those of other biting or stinging insects. While a wasp sting, for example, is extremely painful almost immediately, mosquito bites often aren’t even noticed while they’re happening. Usually, people don’t notice a bite until long after the mosquito has flown away.
The reason why mosquitoes bites itch so much is that the mosquito will inject its saliva while it feeds on you. Most people are allergic to saliva, and this is what causes the bump and itchy feeling. Some people have much more mild reactions to this saliva than others.
Keep in mind some factors could also make you a more likely victim of bites than somebody else. For example, people with type O blood and people who are pregnant are more targets of mosquitoes. But, there are other things, such as drinking alcohol or sweating, that can also attract mosquitoes.
Just How Dangerous Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes spread many diseases, and not everyone knows just how dangerous these pests really are. Mosquitoes are actually considered the most dangerous animal in the world because of their ability to transmit many illnesses, many of which are quite serious and potentially fatal.
Some of the specific diseases mosquitoes can spread include dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, malaria, and Zika virus. Mosquitoes are estimated to cause around one million deaths globally each year, and the number of cases of illness is much higher than this.
Luckily, the majority of mosquito bites won’t lead to illness, and most mosquitoes aren’t infected. However, while mosquito-borne illnesses are more common in some places than others, it’s always best to avoid bites because of their inherent risk.
A Few Mosquito Prevention Tips
To protect yourself from bites and to help keep mosquitoes from coming around your yard, you can follow these steps:
- Avoid going outside around dusk and wear light-colored clothing as dark colors can attract mosquitoes.
- Don’t drink or eat sweet-smelling foods outdoors especially alcohol.
- Remove standing water from your property and ensure rainwater can drain well.
- Keep hot tubs and pools cleaned and use the correct chemicals.
- Regularly trim bushes, shrubs, and trees.
Lastly, the most effective way to both prevent and remove mosquitoes in Atlanta from your home or business is with assistance from the professionals at Tuxedo Mosquito Control. We even provide free quotes, so call us today to learn more.