How many people do sharks kill a year? On average less than 15. How about bears? Under 3 a year. Mosquitoes? Over 500,000 due to malaria alone! The number of total mosquito borne illnesses that kill humans every year is so high, there’s no truly accurate data. They are one of the most dangerous animals in the world and they are everywhere.
While these tiny insects don’t kill humans directly, the number of serious diseases they can carry strike a significant blow. Here are a few of the major diseases associated with mosquitoes:
- Yellow Fever
- Encephalitis
- Malaria
- Dengue Fever
- Zika Virus
- West Nile Virus
Some of these illnesses like, Zika and West Nile, have no vaccine and no current cure.
How Do Mosquitoes Spread Illness?
Only the female mosquito is able to bite and suck blood. Mosquitoes utilize two different tubes when biting their victims. One tube draws the blood, while the other is used to inject a blood clotting enzyme. This enzyme is what causes most people to itch and their skin to swell.
Because mosquitoes suck blood, they can pass on infections to humans. While only three main species are responsible for transmitting diseases to humans, they number in the billions. Mosquitoes can also travel miles in search of “blood meals” taking their diseases with it.
Plus, humans can help the spread of mosquito borne illnesses by traveling and being bitten by a non-infected mosquito. A recent example of this is how Zika was able to spread from South America to the southern parts of the United States. People who came to the U.S. after spending time in infected countries introduced the virus to the U.S. population of mosquitoes.
How to Protect Yourself
Use Repellent: The most effective is DEET. A repellent that contains just 10% DEET is able to protect for around 90 minutes before needing to be reapplied. Be sure to spray your clothes as well as skin.
Cover Your Skin: Cover as much of your skin as possible, especially if you are going on a hike or untreated area. Light colored clothing is also a good idea as mosquitoes are more likely to be attracted by dark colored clothing.
How to Protect Your Yard
Clear Standing Water: Mosquitoes need water to breed so, get rid of the standing water around your house. This includes puddles, stagnant ponds, old planters, and anything that can hold old water.
Treat Your Yard: It’s a great idea to have your yard treated by a professional, especially during the spring and summer months when your family and pets will be outdoors. There are many organic and synthetic options that will minimize the number of mosquitoes in your yard, while maintaining a safe environment for your family and pets.
By taking the proper precautions for yourself and yard, you’ll be helping to keep the number of mosquitoes to a manageable level.
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