The best way to treat mosquito bites is to avoid them! That means stay indoors as much as reasonably possible and when you do venture outside, cover your arms and legs with light fitting material. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you can’t wear long pants and sleeves. If you insist on being outdoors with a considerable amount of skin exposed, use a mosquito repellent.

If these preventative measures don’t work and you’re left with a mosquito bite, there are some things you can do to mitigate the uncomfortable itching. Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite humans? They do this to get protein for making their eggs. When a mosquito bites you, she injects a saliva into your skin to help her intake blood more rapidly. It is this saliva that results in the familiar mosquito bump and subsequent itching; the human body is allergic to the saliva used by mosquitoes.

To alleviate this itching, try placing ice directly on the mosquito bite. Avoid itching the bump at all costs, doing so will only increase the histamines in the area which leads to more discomfort and potentially infection.

Antihistamine products can help decrease itching. These are recommended for use prior to bedtime. Do not take antihistamines during the waking hours as they can cause drowsiness.

Calamine lotion is also effective in treating mosquito bites. For that matter, any anti-itch cream will prove effective in treating mosquito bites.

Keep areas of skin with mosquito bites clean by washing with an anti-bacterial soap. Rubbing a bar of soap over the site of the bite can also help sooth itching.

While mosquito bites are a nuisance, they very rarely result in any serious medical problem. Chances are itching will be your primary gripe regarding a mosquito bite, but if the area experiences swelling or development of a rash, it could be signs of a serious reaction. If you experience difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately.

In Islamic legend, Allah sent mosquitoes to punish Nimrod.  According to the legend, a mosquito entered Nimrod’s head, and the constant humming of the mosquito was so disturbing that Nimrod ordered one of his guard to strike his head with a stick.  Eventually, the guard hits him so hard that his head splits open, and the mosquito escapes into the world.

A Tuscarora legend recounts the tale of the origins of mosquitoes as well.  In this legend, the mosquito is a giant, so large he blocks out the sun from the sky.  He would eat one or two people at a time for his meals.  Despite their best efforts, the warriors were unable to kill this great beast.  The medicine men of the tribe prayed with their chief that the great creator would show them how to overcome this monster.  Their prayers and chants were heard by Bat and Spider, who came to help.  Bat planned to battle the monster until it died, while Spider spun a web to catch Mosquito.

Overhearing this plan, Mosquito decided to run away, fearful that he wouldn’t be able to best Bat in battle.  He flew so fast that he couldn’t be seen.  All that could be heard was the buzzing of his wings as he flew.  But Bat was also fast, and he chased Mosquito.  As Bat began to overcome Mosquito, Mosquito glanced back, only to fly directly into Spider’s web, where he was caught fast and destroyed.  As the blood of the dying Mosquito flew in splatters in all directions, from each drop of blood was born a small mosquito, one with sharp stingers.  These thousand sons of Mosquito still bite us today, and still must continue to elude Spider, who still spins a web to stop them, and Bat, who still hunts for them in the night.

Finally, Aesop tells the tale of a fox that crossed a river, only to find itself tangled up in a bush, unable to move.  Seeing the predicament the fox was in, a group of mosquitoes decided to take advantage of the situation.  They settled down upon him and began to dine on Fox’s blood.

A hedgehog strolls up and takes pity upon the poor fox.  The hedgehog offers to drive away all of the mosquitoes that are biting the fox.  The fox thanks the hedgehog for his offer but declines.  When the hedgehog asks why, the fox says that the mosquitoes have already had all they could eat and that he fears if they’re driven away, more will come to take their place and, because of their voracious appetite, he will be bled to death.

Although these stories don’t offer any concrete advice on how to rid yourself of the pesky nuisances that are mosquitoes, they do provide an interesting background glance into the colorful history of the mosquito.

Mosquitoes reproduce by laying eggs, usually in areas of standard water.  They may lay eggs individually, as the Anopheles and Aedes genera do, or they may lay eggs close together so that the sticky eggs form a raft of 100 eggs or more, as Culex and Culiseta mosquitoes do.  Additionally, the Aedes female lays her eggs on damp soil, where they will await rising flood waters before hatching.  Most mosquitoes lay their eggs at night and adult females can lay eggs about every three days.  In 48 hours, most eggs will hatch to reveal the larva inside.

During the larval stage, the mosquitoes will grow and molt their skin, becoming larger with each molting.  The larvae live in water, but come to the surface to breathe, using a siphon tube to hang from the water’s surface and to breathe through.  To grow, they eat organic material and micro-organisms in the water.  When the larva molt for the fourth time, the mosquitoes enter the pupal stage.  Mosquito larvae are frequently called wigglers or wrigglers.  The length of this stage depends primarily on the water temperature – typically, it will vary from one to two weeks.

During the pupal – or tumbler – stage, the mosquito rests.  In about two days, the pupae will split its skin and emerge as an adult.  During this stage, the pupae doesn’t eat, instead saving it’s strength for its third and final transformation.

The final stage of life for the mosquito is the adult phase.  The mosquito will be moist when it emerges from its pupal skin and will spend some time sitting on the surface of the water.  During this time, it will spread its wings so that they can dry and all of its various parts will harden.

If you’ve ever been bitten by a mosquito, it was a female.  Only the females bite because they need the blood to help them produce their eggs.  Males prefer to take their meals by sipping the nectar of flowers.  The most aggressive biters are from the Aedes and Culex genera.  And although Aedes mosquitoes usually don’t enter the house, Culex mosquitoes have no such qualms.

How quickly the entire life cycle of an individual mosquito is accomplished depends on a number of factors, including the particular species and environmental circumstances.  Heat plays an important role, with higher temperatures leading to less time spent in each of the first three stages.

In addition, there are a number of different ways to thwart the mosquito life cycle if you’re attempting to get rid of mosquitoes.  The best methods attack the eggs and larva and don’t allow the insects to mature and reproduce.  It also helps to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites at your home or office.  If there’s standing water anywhere on or near your property, remove it or see that it’s treated with the necessary chemicals to kill any mosquito eggs that are hanging around.

The first genus to look at is the Aedes mosquitoes.  Because they need flood waters for their eggs to hatch, these mosquitoes are often called floodwater mosquitoes.  They have pointed abdomens and are capable of traveling considerable distances from their breeding sites – in fact, these strong fliers have been known to fly up to 75 miles.  Their “prey” of choice is mammals, and they have a particular fondness for humans.  The mosquito that causes yellow fever, Aedes aegypti, belongs to this genus, as does the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus.

As humans have moved throughout the world, they’ve brought the Aedes mosquito with them – it can now be found on every continent, except Antarctica.  In fact, the most invasive mosquito in the world is the Asian tiger mosquito.  Not only do Aedes mosquitoes carry yellow fever, they also carry dengue fever, as well as human lymphatic filariasis.

The next genus is the Anopheles mosquito.  You’ll find these mosquitoes breeding in clean fresh water, such as lakes, although they can live in both fresh and salt water.  Different species of this genus have differing preferences as to plant life and shade.  Their abdomens resemble those of the Aedes mosquito, and these small mosquitoes have black and white stripes on their legs and body.  The mosquito that spreads malaria to humans, the Anopheles quadrimaculatus, is part of this genus.  The mosquito that transmits the most deadly form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is the Anoepheles gambiae mosquito.

In standing water, you’ll find members of the genus Culex.  Unlike the previous two classes, these mosquitoes have blunt tips on their abdomens.  Although the bite of the Culex mosquito is painful, most generally prefer to bite birds rather than humans.  Their lives are short, lasting only a few weeks each summer and they don’t fly well, leading to their preference to stay put in standing water.  Culex pipiens – or the northern house mosquito – is a part of this genus.  A number of diseases are spread by the genus Culex, including filariasis, avian malaria, West Nile Virus, Japanese encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis.

One key difference among the three genera is the type of water they need for breeding. The Aedes mosquito needs flood water, while the Anopheles mosquito needs oxygenated water that’s relatively still, like a pond.  The water can’t be moving too much, but it must be “alive,” with plants and animals that produce oxygen.  The Culex mosquito is the one you’ll find in bits of water in discarded tires or in the drip tray of the plant you’ve watered too much.  They need stagnant water that isn’t “alive” and contains no algae, plants or animals to keep the water oxygenated in order to thrive.

As our world changes, so too do the habitats of mosquitoes.  One cause for concern is that many winters no longer have cold enough temperatures that are sufficiently sustained to kill off the adult population of the previous year.  In addition, Aedes mosquitoes are moving north as they adapt to cooler temperatures and some of their eggs can even survive despite temperatures that are below freezing.  As the climate continues to warm, this could lead to a boom in future mosquito populations and a corresponding rise in mosquito-borne diseases.

Surprisingly, this is true and has been verified by a number of people.  However, the bigger question is why you might want to do this.  It doesn’t do anything except kill one mosquito that has already bitten you and subjected you to whatever diseases it may be carrying.  It does nothing to prevent future bites or to reduce the local population of mosquitoes.

So explode the mosquito if it brings you pleasure or a sense of accomplishment, but unless you derive a great deal of joy from watching a mosquito drown in your own blood, there are better ways to manage the annoying little pests.

Everybody is looking for the ultimate mosquito repellent and sprays made from garlic often come up on the radar.  But is it true that the scent of garlic sprays, which eventually become undetectable to the human nose, causes mosquitoes, with their more sensitive sense of smell, to avoid certain areas?

This one falls firmly in the fiction category – mosquitoes really don’t have a sense of smell at all.  Yes, they’re attracted to certain odors, but most repellents work not by making you smell bad to the mosquito, but by covering up your normally attractive aroma.

If you’re looking for a repellent, there are a number of effective natural remedies, such as DEET, which is very reliable – not garlic sprays.

Ultrasonic transmitters designed to repel mosquitoes have also become very popular lately.  Some stores even offer small models you can wear around your neck as a pendant or clip to your clothing.  But do these transmitters work?  And are they safe for humans to wear?

Here’s the short answer on ultrasonic transmitters – no, they don’t work.  The EPA spent two years testing every ultrasonic transmitter they could get their hands on in hopes of finding a way to get rid of mosquitoes without using chemicals.  Unfortunately, there was no measurable effect on mosquitoes or on humans as far as they could tell.  The EPA’s findings have also been upheld by additional studies at various universities.  In fact, manufacturers of ultrasonic transmitters are finding themselves in trouble with the EPA and the United States government over their unsupported product claims.

The best way to avoid mosquitoes is to remove any potential breeding grounds from the areas you frequent outdoors.  For example, if you see standing water – such as a bird bath, a puddle or even an overturned shovel or flower pot – do your best to eliminate it.  Also, avoid being outside at dusk and dawn when most mosquitoes prefer to bite.  If these two solutions alone aren’t enough to end your mosquito woes, choose an insect repellent that contains DEET for maximum effectiveness.

Mosquitoes need water to breed.  Anywhere you find standing water, you’ll also find mosquitoes.  The water source can be as small as a puddle in your backyard or as big as a local lake.  Some mosquitoes breed in salt water, while others need fresh water to reproduce.  Some mosquitoes even lay their eggs on damp ground and wait for a flood to occur to hatch the eggs.  Traditional mosquito repellents can help protect you from these pests, but if you’e going to be out in the sun, you might want to try one of the newer products that combines an insect repellent with sunscreen.

If you need to avoid mosquitoes, stay away from wetlands, swamps, marshy land, creeks and rivers.  Sometimes, all it takes is a small eddy to provide a place for mosquitoes to breed.  Avoid areas where it looks like water has been standing, like a bird bath, an abandoned tire or a run-off ditch.  Koi ponds aren’t usually a problem because any pond that’s stocked with fish will likely see the fish munching on mosquito eggs or larvae.

And when it comes to crowds, humans exhale carbon dioxide and release lactic acid when we exercise or eat certain foods.  In fact, these two chemicals are used in many mosquito traps to attract mosquitoes.  Anywhere you find people in large numbers – especially if they’re eating or sweating – you’ll find mosquitoes.  Overall, this is less likely during the day – although there are some mosquitoes that like to be out and about during the day – and more likely at dawn and dusk.

Mosquitoes also like the smell of animals.  In fact, most mosquitoes are more content to bite a smaller, more compliant mammal than to bite a human, where they’ll likely be swatted at.  You’ll find some mosquitoes at the zoo, but if you have a pet dog, check out his dog house and you may be surprised at the number of mosquitoes you find.

Another draw for mosquitoes is sweet smells, like those found on flower and fruits.  To avoid mosquitoes, stay away from outdoor flower beds and orchards.  Avoid using products that smell sweet, like scented shampoo, body wash and perfume.  There are certain flowers you can plant that mosquitoes specifically don’t like, including marigolds.  If you want to be outside to enjoy your garden, think about including some of these plants to make it more hospitable.

Movement and color can also catch a mosquito’s eye.  They like dark colors and dark foliage, so avoid those things to avoid mosquitoes.  If you’ll be attending an outdoor concert at night, be sure to pack your repellent – the combination of the crowd, darkness and movement may make the event a virtual mosquito smorgasbord.

Unfortunately, while there are a number of anecdotal claims about the effectiveness of natural predators, there’s very little hard scientific evidence.  In addition, the studies that do exist generally took place in a controlled environment which can’t accurately mimic natural conditions.  And, of course, it would be difficult to measure changes in the number of mosquitoes living in any given section of nature – at least not with any type of scientific accuracy.

Still, natural predators certainly aren’t harmful and they’re likely beneficial to the local environment, so there’s no reason not to encourage predators known to prey upon mosquitoes.  These natural predators are usually most effective in ponds and canals, where the habitat can support a wide variety of wildlife that feeds on insects.

Where there are bodies of water, the “mosquitofish”, or Gambusia affinis, is a good choice.  This fish is a voracious predator when it comes to mosquitoes.  In fact, it’s been said that they can consume from half to one and one half times their body weight each day in small invertebrates like the larvae of mosquitoes.  The fish bears live young – up to three to six broods each season – with from 10 to 300 fry per broods.  For this reason, a number of mosquito control districts have used this natural predator with great results.

Conversely, the ability of the purple martin to control mosquitoes has been greatly overestimated.  Yes, these birds do eat mosquitoes, but they make up only three percent or less of the martin’s diet.   Martins primarily feed during the day, which isn’t when most mosquitoes are most active.  They also feed on other natural predators of mosquitoes, including dragonflies.  Purple martins are a better choice if you have a problem with Japanese beetles.

The ability of the bat to control mosquitoes is often overestimated, as well.  Bats will eat mosquitoes if they’re there, but they don’t generally go out of their way to seek them as a preferred food source.  While they may not be the best choice for getting rid of mosquitoes, they do help control a number of other harmful pests, and are considered to be beneficial animals when they make their home in your yard or garden.

Dragonflies are another natural predator of the mosquito and while they consume their fair share, again, they don’t kill mosquitoes in numbers that will make a significant change in the local population.  However, dragonflies remain in their aquatic larval stage for quite some time – up to six years – and during this time they can make a dent in the local population of mosquito larvae.

One of the major misconceptions of this insect is that they all suck blood. But this fact is just not always true. The truth actually leads us to the realization of their mass population. Mosquitoes are a special insect indeed, and contrary to popular belief, only the adult females bite for a blood meal. Surprisingly enough the average adult mosquito actually survives on a diet consisting of plant material, such as nectar and juices.

Female adults only feast on blood meals at a certain point in their reproduction stage. A few days before they lay their eggs they consume a blood meal to promote the health of the eggs by supplying them with protein. That is the only time they will bite for blood. Otherwise they are feasting on plants with the males.

To be precise; there is one specific genus, or family, of mosquitoes that does not partake of blood meals at all. This particular classification of mosquitoes get plenty of protein when they are in the larvae stage so they do not need to ingest blood to produce healthy eggs. A few other mosquito families only feed on frogs, while others have been known to feed on other insects, and even other mosquitoes. Sounds strange, but it’s true.

Ever wonder why a mosquito bite itches? And why you hardly catch them when they do bite? The mosquito is actually a fully equipped insect. When they bite, They inject a chemical that helps to reduce the pain of the bite and prevent clotting of the blood.  It seems like a very ingenious chemical. The person doesn’t know their being bitten until the mosquito is gone. The chemicals cause a delayed irritation in the skin and this is why itching occurs.

It seems that these insects are more than buzzing, biting creatures. There are special intricacies to their design, and this design can sometimes work to our benefit. It is true that they do bite, the bites do itch, and we do get ‘bugged’ by them sometimes. The general concept that all mosquitoes bite is just not true, but that’s not to say that there aren’t quite a few of the bitters in populous. So no matter how interesting they may actually be, always remember the repellant when going into their territory.

Can we honestly say that mosquitoes are a benefit to nature? For the most part, and from our view point, we would probably say no. We know that they carry disease, spread it, infect us and other animals, and have the capability of breeding and reproducing at alarming rates. With all of these attributes being those of negative origin, how can there possibly be any good stemming from these ‘pests’?

First of all, we must consider the industrial aspect. The repellant industry. This may seem less than credible in the mosquitoes defense but we can not deny it’s popularity. Repellant developing companies have become multi-million dollar companies. They offer a great service to us while offering protection. If mosquitoes were non-existent it would significantly impact the need for the repellant industry. Industry related jobs would be lost or suffer. Think about it. We would lose employees that help make, package, ship, transport, and deliver repellant products. There would be a great impact. Repellant products span across the board. There are a great number of manufacturers that have created their own brand of repellants. Some companies have hired specialists to do the work, therefore hiring outside influences to create their product. Don’t forget the generic brands and that compensation. All-in-all this shows only one aspect.

What about the animals that have adapted to eating these creatures we consider pests. Many animals have adapted to eating, and thriving, from the consumption of this insect. The food chain would be highly impacted if mosquitoes were nonexistent.

Mosquitos even aid in the pollenation of certain plants. It’s true. The majority of adult mosquitoes meet their nutritional needs are actually met by nectar from plants. Only females bite for a blood meal, and that is only for egg-laying purposes. When the adult mosquito consumes the nectar of the plant they are as useful in the pollenation of the plant as other species of insects, such as bee’s.

Not only as a part of the food chain have they benefitted other species, but mosquitoes have also sparked creations and inspired inventors to design ingenious products. There is a product being tested and implemented that was inspired by the model of a mosquito’sbody. An invention that is being called an artificial pancreas for diabetic patients. The product uses parts that resemble the “tentacle” of a mosquitoes mouth to help patients experience pain free blood-sugar testing. There are even products being implemented for anesthetic purposes that use the chemical behind the painless  bite of a mosquito. The many inventions that have stemmed from the mosquito would not exist if the mosquito did not exist.

Some of the most common diseases spread by mosquitoes are Malaria, West Nile Virus, Ross, River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus, Murray Valley encephalitis, Dengue fever, and even Japanese encephalitis.

The only protection from these mosquito presented diseases is to avoid mosquitoe bites all together.

Malaria is by far the most commonly contracted disease via mosquitos. Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is directly transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells. Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting. These appear within 10-15 days of the mosquito bite. If left untreated malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to the bodies vital organs. The best way to control malaria once contracted is to receive prompt treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies.

West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness. WNV is said to be a seasonal illness within North America that begins to flare in the summer and remains into the fall. WNV is contracted through mosquito bite and is generally spotted within 3-14 days after bite. Mosquitos generally become infected after biting infected birds. 80% of infected people will not show any symptoms at all. 20% show mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and disorientation. But only 1 in 150 people have severe symptoms such as loss of vision, coma, tremors, and convulsions. WNV has no specific treatment. In people with milder symptoms it is usually passed on in time on its own. In more severe cases intravenous treatments will be required from a hospital.

Ross River virus is also contracted via mosquito bites. Symptoms include fever, mild rash, joint pain, and arthritis-like symptoms. This is sometimes misdiagnosed as rubella, hepatitis-B, Barmah forest virus, dengue and rheumatoid arthritis. With so many misdiagnosed cases it is hard to properly label in most cases. When found out to be Ross River the resolution can be made in up to 2-4 weeks with bed rest and analgesics.

With so many harmful diseases and illness’ that can be contracted from mosquito bites it seems the best route is to prevent the bites from occurring. There are many options for proper prevention. Keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe. Prevention is the key to safety.