During outside activities, seeing or feeling the presence of mosquitos isn’t entirely unexpected even if it is unpleasant. While these pests shouldn’t deter anyone from outdoor fun, property owners should take precautions against potentially dangerous mosquito bites and the diseases associated with them. To reduce the risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases, take advantage of professional mosquito treatment plans to protect you and your loved ones. To help, learn why mosquito-borne illness cases are escalating and what new mosquito diseases are out there, as well as tips on repelling mosquitos.
What mosquito diseases are on the rise?
The yearly number of mosquito disease cases and prominence of specific diseases ebbs and flows just as the populations of this pest do. For example, Zika virus was declared an international public health emergency by WHO for several months during 2016. Since 2017, cases have significantly declined. However, the current case frequency associated with the three diseases below has caused notable concern.
- Wile Nile Virus: According to Scientific American, recent years have seen more cases of this well-known mosquito disease. Sometimes, people do not experience any symptoms when exposed. However, others experience everything from body aches and fevers to paralysis and meningitis.
- Dengue Fever: Alarmingly, the CDC reports that Dengue cases in the Americas have more than doubled in the past two years. Additionally, some regions are seeing more cases during times of year that typically have lower numbers. People infected from dangerous mosquito bites experience symptoms ranging from joint pain and headaches to internal bleeding and shock.
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis: As shared by a health expert from the Baylor College of Medicine in conversation with PBS News, a mosquito-borne EEE bite in the U.S. caused its first death this year. Although this disease remains rare, the problem is that it has a higher mortality rate than many other mosquito diseases and doesn’t currently have a specific treatment.
What increases the risk of mosquito disease exposure?
Mosquito populations vary substantially from one location to the next, during different seasons and times of day, and even year to year. Additionally, every mosquito bite doesn’t necessarily result in disease transmission. However, since some mosquito diseases cause severe health consequences and many don’t have specific treatment options, reducing contact with mosquitos is the best approach to disease prevention. Knowing and addressing the circumstances that contribute to more frequent mosquitos can help with risk reduction.
Common Causes of Mosquito Diseases
Although mosquito encounters often happen outside, mosquitos can also establish themselves inside the home. One or more of the following scenarios may increase the likelihood of a mosquito infestation:
- Standing water as found in dehumidifiers or pet bowls as well as plant saucers, pools or bird baths
- Receptacles that hold moisture like shower drains or trash cans
- Overgrown lawns and shrubs
- Lack of screens or other entry points into buildings, such as cracks in walls, open doors and compromised seals around windows or air conditioners
Global Factors that Contribute to Mosquito Diseases
Regarding mosquito disease case numbers, there are two primary factors that influence them: climate change and travel. As with new tick diseases, climate change realities including longer, hotter and more humid temperatures impact mosquito populations and thus the number of disease carriers. Simply, they have more time during which they can thrive and more places in which to do so. Traveling to other countries with higher mosquito disease cases or pest populations may also contribute to more experiences with dangerous mosquito bites.
How can individuals reduce the likelihood of dangerous mosquito bites?
Limiting exposure to mosquitos helps lessen the potential for disease transmission. In addition to addressing circumstances that contribute to mosquito infestations, consider using one or more of the following mosquito prevention methods:
- Consider incorporating mosquito-repelling plants into your yard. As a bonus, this approach may also help keep other pests away from pools or gardens.
- Use tiki torches and candles to lend a decorative feel to outdoor patios and backyard events while also helping deter mosquitos.
- Help ward off or otherwise provide a barrier between you and any mosquitos with insect repellents, essential oils and long-sleeved shirts and pants, not to mention socks.
- Try to avoid being outside during dawn and dusk.
- Engage a mosquito control expert like Eliminate ‘Em to execute a solution to current mosquito problems or help prevent them.
Have you seen more mosquitos than usual? Are you concerned about the rise in mosquito disease cases near you? Let Eliminate ‘Em provide you with greater peace of mind when it comes to this bothersome insect. Our team offers mosquito prevention services such as exclusion and sealing, as well as mosquito extermination. Act now to avoid possible infection from dangerous mosquito bites. Contact our expert mosquito team today!
