Mosquito Facts:
What you want to know
Mosquitoes are one of the most common pests around the world;
their bites are not only itchy and annoying, but can also
be dangerous. Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases and can
cause serious allergic reactions in some individuals. In order
to fight this warm weather bug, scientists have studied the
tiny insects very closely for years. Being well-aware of mosquito
facts will give you better protection against their bites
and the associated potential health risks.
Did you know that:
-
 Only
female mosquitoes bite and draw blood; the males feed on
nectar and plant juices.
- Mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon monoxide in your breath;
they can detect it from afar.
- In order to bite, mosquitoes choose their landing location
based on the smell, temperature and sight of a particular
spot on your skin.
- You can be attractive or unattractive to mosquitoes,
depending on your natural odor and skin type, as well as
the humidity level in the air surrounding you.
- Mosquito-borne diseases kill more people around the world
than any other single cause.
- Malaria is the most commonly known mosquito-borne disease,
although numerous types of encephalitis are transmitted
by mosquitoes in North America.
- Mosquitoes transmit heartworm disease between cats and
dogs.
- Male mosquitoes generally live 10 to 20 days; the female‘s
life span ranges from 3 days to 100 days.
- During its life, a female mosquito can lay between 1,000
and 3,000 eggs, which mature into full grown adults in less
than one week.
- Mosquitoes breed in standing water.
- There is a wide variety of mosquito repellants, some
dealing with the breeding grounds and surrounding air, while
others address particular skin odors and taste.
- Certain repellant systems lure insects away from humans
and pets and destroy them.
Some Lesser Known Mosquito Facts:
- Females do not actually feed on blood; they require the
substance for healthy egg development.
- Mosquitoes feed on flower nectar and juices from rotting
organic materials such as compost.
- A mosquito bite itches because, as the female bites,
an irritating chemical is released into your skin to prevent
your blood from clotting, but it also reduces the sting
as well.
- The female mosquito will probe your skin looking for
the easiest spot of entry before piercing through to a capillary
blood vessel.
- Most species of mosquitoes cannot fly far from where
they are born; however, some breed inside or near airplanes
and can end up traveling long distances.
- Airlines commonly spray for mosquitoes and other pests
in order to prevent the various species from spreading.
- Mosquitoes have poor eyesight and cannot distinguish
their target until they are within 30 feet of them.
- Once a mosquito has come within 10 feet of your skin,
it uses thermal receptors to sense the blood flowing underneath.
- There are millions of mosquitoes living in the Arctic
Circle.
Knowing the facts of the mosquito world is helpful as we
continue to search for ways to successfully protect ourselves
against their bite, and the potential hazards of air-borne
diseases.
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