I live in Mississippi and with summer coming
up this is good advice.
Mosquitoes - Controlling These Unwelcome
Summer Pests
Ah, the pleasures of summer time! The sun
setting over a beautiful lake, graduation parties, outdoor weddings,
picnics with out-of-town family and friends, a ball game complete with
peanuts and cracker jacks...does life get any better? Perhaps we are all
forgetting one thing: the joys of summer also bear the baggage of
unwelcome visitors: mosquitoes! Mosquitoes can potentially drive any of
these fun activities indoors.
Mosquitoes Carry Disease
Several problems arrive along with the invasion of
mosquitoes. These bloodthirsty nuisances are not only annoying and
disruptive but also potentially very dangerous. According to North
Carolina State's Department of Entomology, "Mosquitoes are important pests
because their biting activity often interferes with outdoor activities and
can transmit disease organisms to people and domestic
animals."¯1
According to the American Mosquito Control Association,
"Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism -- over one
million people die from mosquito-borne diseases every year."3 Mosquitoes
spread diseases to humans and animals alike. The AMCA continues to explain
that the diseases that afflict particularly dogs "include dog heartworm,
West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)."¯3 Diseases
more commonly affecting humans include malaria, West Nile Virus, dengue,
encephalitis, and yellow fever. Additionally, the mosquitoes' saliva
causes skin irritation resulting in those uncomfortable red bumps that
form after a bite.
Tips for Treating Mosquito Bites
The first thing that should be done upon receipt of a
mosquito bite is to wash the affected area with warm water and soap to rid
the area of any bacteria and provide temporary itching relief. The
application of Calamine lotion is helpful in relieving the itching or
burning sensation resulting from mosquito bites. Cool compresses,
antihistamines, and other anti-inflammatory medications are often
successful in alleviating symptoms of mosquito bites as well. The
temptation to scratch the affected area should be resisted, and if the
bite victim feels dizzy or nauseated, they should seek medical attention
immediately as these could be signs of an allergic reaction.5
How Mosquitoes Multiply
Water is necessary to the lifecycle of a mosquito.
Therefore, habitats that are prone to hurricanes or heavy rainfall are
often invaded largely by these pests. Mosquitoes are less likely to abide
in areas with ponds or creeks if they contain fish and are free of weeds
or other traps where they can hide. Generally mosquitoes remain within a
mile of their birthplace, but mosquitoes also can travel far from breeding
sites, abounding even in much drier surroundings. Though mosquitoes
generally only live 2-3 weeks, they multiply rapidly because less than a
half-cup of water is sufficient for their reproduction. Females produce
100 to 300 eggs with each pregnancy, often laying several thousand eggs in
a single short lifetime.
Mosquito Prevention Measures
You may ask: why are mosquitoes drawn to humans?
Mosquitoes are enticed to humans first by the carbon dioxide that is
exhaled. Once the mosquitoes sense this, they are further drawn to their
victim by other factors such as sweat and body odor. Wearing perfume,
drinking beer, and certain foods add extra advertisements for a mosquito
to use your body as a feeding spot.
Certain areas of property attract mosquitoes more strongly
because of their ability to retain water. Common objects to monitor
include drainage ditches, trash, old tires, rain barrels, unused or poorly
maintained pools, birdbaths, barbecue grills, and other items that provide
easy access to water. To prevent unnecessary excess swarms of mosquitoes,
be sure to clean and maintain your property well. Remove obstructions in
drainage ditches, clear gutters, and remove any unnecessary water
gatherings.
Repellents are useful for keeping mosquitoes from directly
contacting your skin. However, they are less effective at keeping them
from swarming in the air near the body, and these repellents can be
harmful if used too often. Citronella candles are often used as another
effort to keep mosquitoes away. They benefit the most during times of
little wind so the chemical does not spread too quickly or the flame does
not blow out.
Such measures as ensuring that your home is properly
sealed with tight screens and properly fitted windows and doors will help
protect your home from uninvited company. Since bats and purple martins
feed on mosquitoes, installing boxes near the house will also encourage
their residence and help keep mosquitoes away.
For those who are reluctant to provide for such creatures
as bats, the use of a mosquito net may be just what the doctor ordered.
Mosquito nets can provide protection for outdoor picnic areas, gazebos,
patios, dog pens, or stables. Additionally, mosquito netting can be
fortified with chemicals that kill mosquitoes once they land on
them.
Since mosquitoes depend on flower nectar and fruit juices
for energy, keeping flowers farther from picnic areas or other popular
outdoor gathering spots may help ward off their presence. Additionally,
being mindful of keeping lids on fruit salads or consuming such foods
first may prevent further problems.
Finally, to experience maximum pleasure from outdoor
activities, select clothing should be worn. Light-colored, loosely fitting
clothing is the least attractive to mosquitoes since they are drawn to
dark colors that form tightly to the body allowing easy access to the
skin.
To summarize the options for preventing and getting rid of
mosquitoes:
- Use mosquito repellents
- Use citronella candles
- Seal your home with tight screens, windows, and
doors
- Surround your activity with mosquito netting
- Wear light colors
- Eliminate standing water
- Attract bats and purple martins
Paul Galla
- http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/mosquito.htm
- http://www.co.jackson.ms.us/DS/MosquitoControl.html
- http://www.mosquito.org/mosquito-information/mosquito-borne.aspx
- http://www.ivyhall.district96.k12.il.us/4TH/KKHP/1INSECTS/mosquito.html
- http://www.tinymosquito.com/bitetreatment.html
