Most people agree that mosquitos are an annoyance. They plague playgrounds and outdoor barbecues every time the weather gets warm. For some parts of the world, this is the extent of the concern for these creatures. In other regions, mosquito-bred diseases inspire absolute terror. What risk do these insects pose to you and your pets?
Understand the Risks
These small creatures can be deadly to humans. Mosquito-borne diseases cause approximately 1,000,000 people to die every year. This insect is therefore the most lethal of all earth’s creatures. In most instances, people just feel a little itchy and notice a red bump after being bitten. This is the result of an allergy to the mosquito’s saliva. However, in other parts of the world, the consequences of a mosquito bite can be much worse. Here are some of the most common causes for concern:
Malaria. One of the oldest known diseases, records describing malaria go as far back as 1700 B.C. Between 300 and 500 million cases are still reported annually. Outbreaks along the eastern shore of the United States weren’t controlled until the 1940s. At the end of the Vietnam war, there was a resurgence brought on by returning servicemen. Though it’s well contained, there are still small outbreaks occasionally. Antimalarial drugs are available and have proven effective when administered quickly.
Zika virus. This virus was first discovered in 1947 in certain monkey populations. Originating in Africa, it was found off the coast of South America in 2014. 426 reports of Zika have been catalogued in the United States. Each of these were considered travel cases, as the carriers contracted it when out of the country. No local transmissions on American soil have been reported, and no effective treatment has been developed.
West Nile virus. In 1937, this virus began to spread from its apparent point of origin in Africa. West Nile hit American shores in 1999. Since then, there have been upwards of 36,000 cases reported to the US Center for Disease Control. Just over 1,500 of these infections were fatal. Though supportive treatments are available, there’s no cure for West Nile at this time.
The United States has been well-protected compared to other parts of the world in regards to mosquito-borne fatalities. However, America isn’t impervious to such outbreaks. It’s always wise to be careful and seek medical attention if sickness follows mosquito bites.
Watch Your Pets
Mosquitos sometimes pick up roundworm larvae when feeding on sick animals. The larvae stay inside the insect for two or three weeks. When the mosquito feeds on another animal, worms are deposited under the skin. These small creatures die when injected into humans. However, they thrive in dogs as well as some cats and raccoons. Known as Dog Heartworm, this has been reported in fifty states. When untreated, it’s a lethal infection. Though there are ways to control the progression of illness, there’s no cure. Preventative injections are the most effective route.
Though heartworm doesn’t seem to affect horses, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (another mosquito-borne illness) does. This condition is predominantly found in the easternmost parts of North America as well as South and Central America. Thankfully, there are vaccines for horses to protect against any occurrence.
How to Protect Yourself
Heavy chemicals can be effective against mosquitos. However, they often bring other complications with them. These aren’t healthy for humans or pets to breathe in, and they damage the environment. Better natural solutions are available.
The first step in guarding your yard is to remove potential breeding grounds. A few tablespoons of water can become a nesting bed if left stagnant. Remove buckets, old tires, and clogs in gutters. Wading pools, bird baths, and decorative water should be cleaned out every week. If you have a stagnant pool that can’t be cleaned out, use BT. This is a natural bacterium that kills mosquito larvae. It’s not harmful to people nor fish when added to water.
Once nesting places have been removed, guard against mosquitos flying in from elsewhere. Installing fans is an excellent measure. Bugs identify humans by the traces of CO2 we expel. The wind from a fan masks this, making it harder for them to locate you.
Consider adding rose-scented geraniums, lemon balm, or catnip to your garden. These plants act as natural mosquito repellants. They can help protect you while gardening or relaxing outside. If you do get bitten, there are incredible natural remedies to alleviate the symptoms.
Oatmeal is a natural anti-irritant that can be used on bites. Mix oats and water to form a paste and cover the bites for about 10 minutes. Baking soda paste can be made and used in the same way if you don’t have oatmeal. If the discomfort continues, honey is another awesome solution. It has naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial components. This can do wonders to stave off pain and itchiness, but make sure you’re inside and away from bugs before you try this.
Mosquito-borne illnesses can be devastating. However, there are some wonderful natural ways to protect yourself, your family, and your pets this summer.