It never seems to fail. You're enjoying a nice summer picnic outdoors with your family and friends—warm sun, good food, games, and relaxation. Then, subtly it starts—you notice a "smack" here, a slap there. Before long, the welts and itching begin to appear and you realize there are some additional guests present at your picnic—mosquitoes. The pesky little insects don't just limit themselves to your family picnics. You'll encounter them while working in the yard, at ball games, while hiking or biking—almost anywhere the proper mosquito breeding conditions exist. In addition to being a major annoyance, mosquitoes can also carry and spread some serious diseases such as malaria, encephalitis, dengue and yellow fever, and heartworm (in dogs and cats). West Nile virus is the most recent disease to be carried by mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes West Nile virus has become a seasonal epidemic in North America that makes its appearance in the summer and continues into the autumn.
When the biting, swelling, and itching begin, you can easily identify the culprit. According to the Ohio State University (OSU) Extension Office, adult mosquitoes are small and fragile, measuring 3/16 to 1/2 inch in length. They have thin bodies, one pair of narrow wings, three pairs of long, slender legs, and an elongated proboscis, which they use to pierce the skin in drawing blood. When it comes to biting, female mosquitoes are the culprits. The female needs the protein found in blood for egg production. Male mosquitoes don't bite and are content to feed on plant juices and nectar from flowers. Mosquitoes don't just bite humans. Birds and animals are also a source of nourishment and become hosts for the various viruses mosquitoes can transmit.
According to OSU, mosquito eggs require water to develop through their larvae and pupae stages. Some mosquitoes lay their eggs on the water surface while others lay their eggs on surfaces just above the water line, which enables the eggs to hatch when flooding occurs. In some cases, the mosquito eggs can remain viable for a number of years until water is present to initiate the growth cycle. Mosquitoes may lie up to 400 eggs. Larvae feed on organic matter in the water and are full grown in one week. The female is equipped to bite one or two days after reaching adulthood.
To reduce the likelihood of an interaction with nature's little vampires, there are a number of things you can do around your home. The CDC recommends the following steps:
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin to help deter mosquitoes. Use a repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient such as DEET (N, N—diethyl-m-polyamide), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. When applying insect repellent to your child:
- Read the label and follow the product instructions regarding age restrictions for the product and its use on children. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using repellents containing DEET on infants less than 2 months old. Always consult with your physician before using insect repellent on children. Mosquito netting can be used to cover a child's stroller or playpen.
- Apply the repellent to your hands and then rub them on your child.
- Avoid your child's eyes and mouth and use sparingly around the ears.
- Do not apply repellent to your child's hands (since children tend to put their fingers and hands in their mouths).
- Do not apply repellent under clothing. If clothing comes in contact with repellent, be sure to wash the clothing thoroughly before wearing again.
- Re-application may be necessary if you are being bitten or are sweating or getting wet.
- Keep repellents out of the reach of children. If a reaction to the repellent occurs, discontinue use, wash the affected area, and consult a health care provider.
- Protect yourself with clothing. Weather permitting, long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks provide additional protection from mosquito bites. Spraying insect repellent on clothing will also help deter mosquitoes.
- Install and repair screens on the windows and doors of your home. Tight, well-fitting screens will keep mosquitoes from invading your indoor living space.
- Eliminate any areas of standing water around your home and yard. Since mosquito eggs require water to mature, removing the breeding grounds will greatly reduce the resident mosquito population. Common items that hold water include, old tires, planters, outdoor toys, clogged gutters, wading pools, and fire pits. Empty standing water (especially after rains) and store or turn items that will hold water, upside down. Water in children's pools and birdbaths should be changed weekly. Pumps may also be installed in fountains and birdbaths to keep water circulating and unusable as a mosquito nursery.
- Be aware of peak hours for mosquitoes (from dusk to dawn). You may want to curtail or avoid outdoor activities during evening and early morning hours. If you choose to be outdoors during peak hours, wear protective clothing and/or use insect repellent.
For those who have been bitten by mosquitoes, the Mayo Clinic notes that calamine lotion, hydrocortisone creams, or a paste made from baking soda and water can be used to help soothe the bite area. They add that if a mosquito bite seems to cause additional, more serious, signs and symptoms such as body aches, confusion, fever, lethargy, nausea, rash, sensitivity to light, severe headache, swollen glands, or vomiting, a health care worker should be contacted immediately.
With a little planning and some preventative measures, you can make certain your family isn't the main course at the next mosquito buffet this summer!
As with any health related issues, consult your family physician with any questions or health concerns.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—www.cdc.gov
Ohio State University—www.ohioline.osu.edu
Environmental Protection Agency—www.epa.gov
Mayo Clinic—www.mayoclinic.com
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