Mosquitoes can cause more harm than minor skin irritation, itching or redness when they bite a human or pet. In those who suffer from allergic reactions to mosquito saliva, more complicated reactions can occur at and around the bite site and extend along the arm, leg or torso. Commonly known as skeeter syndrome, mosquito allergies can include broad redness and painful inflammation with or without a large fluid-filled lesions, swollen lymph nodes, hives, wheezing, faintness, fever and anaphylaxis. Mosquitoes also carry a wide range of blood-borne microorganisms, including yellow fever, malaria, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and La Crosse encephalitis. Depending on the bacteria, viruses and parasites carried by a specific mosquito, a bitten person might experience a rash, fever, headache, inflammation, vomiting, joint swelling, body aches, severe site-specific pain, fatigue, confusion, bleeding gums, vision changes and even death.
Although you can’t prevent a mosquito from ever biting you in the future, you can reduce the risk. Let the following tips provide you with guidance during the next mosquito season:
Wear Appropriate Clothing When Outdoors
During warm months, people tend to wear a lot of short-sleeved shirts, shorts and sandals. When you do this to cool down, you’re essentially ringing the dinner bell for mosquitoes and providing them with open access to a blood buffet. Instead of wearing these types of clothes, create a barrier around your skin. Wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts, pants or jeans, socks and shoes or sneakers.
Stay Indoors When They’re Active
Although mosquitoes love warmth and humidity, they prefer to feed when it’s not the hottest part of the day since too much sunlight can cause dehydration. Although some species do bite when it’s sunny, mosquitoes in general aren’t typically as active during the day. To reduce exposure, stay indoors during early mornings and nights.
Remove Stagnant Water Breeding Grounds
Anything that can hold stagnant water, such as a pool cover, tarps, pot holes, rain gutters, a tire swing, pet bowls or flower boxes, looks attractive to mosquitoes. They lay their eggs in wet, still waters. You can prevent an increase in their number around your home by simply reducing the number of places that they can use for breeding.
Use Expert-Approved Pest Control Methods
Every person who has ever dealt with mosquitoes knows that sometimes the only way to reduce their numbers is with outside help. Hang and place different kinds of mosquito traps around your home. If traps don’t work, contact pest control professionals like those at Mosquito Squad of Northwest Wisconsin to spray a chemical or natural essential oil mosquito-deterrent barrier around your property.
Beyond acute mosquito bite symptoms, additional chronic and sometimes debilitating symptoms can occur at the onset or later that continue throughout a person’s lifetime. No vaccine or pill exists that can protect your or your loved ones against every disease and condition. As a result, it’s critical that everyone do whatever they can to protect themselves from this serious threat.
