Only the female mosquito needs your blood; males live on fruit juice.
Scientists believe female mosquitoes ensure the proper development of their eggs by feeding on mammalian blood. Every summer, many outdoor activities such as picnics, hikes and barbecues are ruined by their irritating bites. Many species also transmit a variety of dangerous diseases . You can hold this nuisance at bay in several ways.
Mosquito Diseases
Mosquito bites can transmit several dangerous diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever, jungle yellow fever, dengue fever, elephantiasis or swelling of the body, and encephalitis or swelling of the brain. Mosquitoes also carry the larvae of the parasitic fly dirofilaria immitis, which causes canine heartworm disease. Although predominantly found in dogs, this disease also affects 30 other species, including coyotes, wolves, foxes, cats, ferrets and people.
Repellents
According to the University of Kentucky, topically applied repellents containing the chemical diethyl toluamide, or DEET, are the most effective. People planning to spend a long time outdoors should use a repellent that consists of at least 30 percent DEET. The higher the percentage, the longer the product's protection will last. People who are allergic to DEET can use products containing the almost-as-effective chemical picaridin. However, picaridin's protection doesn't last as long as DEET's. You should reapply picaridin-based products every two hours. Citronella oil emits a smell that insects find unpleasant. Citronella lotions and candles repel mosquitoes for about an hour.
Other Solutions
When working or playing outdoors, keep mosquitoes from reaching your skin by wearing long, loose-fitting clothing. In wooded areas, green and brown clothing will help you blend into the environment. In open areas, white clothing helps disguise your silhouette. During the summer, avoid heavily scented products such as perfume or deodorant. Mosquitoes find the scents attractive. Mosquitoes aren't strong fliers. Breezes and fans blow them away. Dim lights such as candles attract mosquitoes; bright lights such as bug zappers repel them. The mosquitoes will target people sitting farthest from the bug zapper or closest to decorative candles. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, so plan outdoor activities for daytime or after dark.
Controlling Mosquitoes
Controlling mosquito populations is an effective way to avoid bites. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so eliminate sources of standing water such as old tires, buckets and cans. Store outdoor pet dishes, wheelbarrows, boats and flowerpot bottoms upside down so they don't fill with water. Keep gutters, drain spouts, troughs, cisterns, septic tanks and roofs free of standing water and seepage, and change birdbath water frequently. Mosquitoes prefer quiet, still water, so keep water in ornamental ponds moving or stock them with mosquito-eating fish. If you can't eliminate all sources of water, kill mosquito larvae with an insecticide containing the chemical methoprene or the bacteria bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI). During the day, adult mosquitoes rest in protected areas such as trees or shrubs. Eliminate their rest areas by cutting back overgrown trees and shrubs and weeding property thoroughly. Kill adult mosquitoes with pesticides containing the chemicals cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin or permethrin.
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