Mosquito And Pest
Since the beginning of time, mosquitoes have been pests. They are trapped in amber from the Jurassic and Cretaceous Eras, displaying their evolution to what they are today. Over 200 million years ago, mosquitoes were the bloodsucking pests to dinosaurs that they are to humans and other animals now.
Belonging to the insect family Culicidae, there are 41 different types of mosquitoes. Surprisingly, not all mosquitoes feed on blood. In virtually all species of mosquito, only the females are the pests we swat off our bodies. Male mosquitoes are nectar feeders, meaning that they prefer the taste of sweet nectar of flowers over the blood of mammals. Only the mosquito eaters, the largest genus of mosquitoes, do not feed on blood. Instead, they feed on the larvae of other mosquitoes.
An easy way to eliminate mosquitoes or even just discourage them from breeding in certain areas is by removing standing water. Mosquitoes actually breed and live in standing water, which is why there are such large populations of mosquitoes near lakes and ponds. Another way to get rid of mosquitoes is by using mosquito repellants. Repellants come in various forms. Some are safe enough to use directly on your body, while others are strong enough to use on your entire property.
Unless a person sees a mosquito feeding upon their skin, a mosquito bite can go undetected for hours. This is because of the immune reaction that the mosquito bite provokes. The initial bite of the mosquito causes no reaction. It is the subsequent mosquito bites that cause the immune system to develop antibodies to the female mosquito’s saliva, which triggers the reaction. The itchiness from these pesky bites can be relieved by calamine lotion, insect bite relief sticks and allergy medication (either oral or topically applied).
While most people only have to deal with the annoying itchiness that mosquito bites cause, mosquitoes can actually carry much more serious diseases. Because of this, mosquitoes are sometimes considered a little bit more than pests: They are considered downright dangerous. Among other diseases, mosquitoes can carry Malaria, Dengue and the fatal West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes transmit diseases to more than 69 million people worldwide annually. In countries with temperate climates, such as the United States and United Kingdom, mosquito borne diseases are far less frequent. However, mosquitoes can still be a major pest, especially when trying to enjoy a sunny summer day.
