How Dangerous Are Mosquitoes In Oklahoma & Kansas?

Nothing is more annoying than an itchy mosquito bite. You can swat and shoo them away all you want, but avoiding these parasitic pests can be almost impossible in infested areas. While most mosquito encounters are insignificant, it’s still dangerous to get bitten. So, how dangerous are mosquitoes?

About Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes have been feeding on blood for over 40 million years. These insects have evolved to expertly extract the vital fluids of all sorts of animals from birds to reptiles to human beings, and in the process, they’ve become some of the most successful creatures on the planet.

Mosquitoes can be found almost anywhere that there is a reliable source of standing water. Ponds, swamps, pools, and even large puddles are all popular breeding sites. However, it’s believed that a female mosquito only needs about enough water to fill a bottle cap in order to lay her eggs.

Most mosquitoes are only about 1/2 inch in length or smaller, but despite their small size, they present a huge number of health hazards.

The Dangers Of Mosquitoes

When you think of the deadliest animal on the planet, you probably think of lions or sharks or another large predatory animal. And while the apex predators of the world are certainly designed to kill, no creature is responsible for more death on earth than the mosquito.

It’s estimated that around one million people die every year from mosquito-borne illnesses. These diseases include:

• Zika virus – Although rare in the U.S., this disease can cause birth defects in the babies of pregnant women. Symptoms are mild and include fever and joint pain. Fewer than 1,000 cases are reported in the U.S. annually.
• West Nile virus – The most common mosquito-borne illness in the U.S., West Nile virus can result in serious symptoms in about 1 of every 150 victims. Symptoms include fever, tremors, and disorientation, and West Nile virus may be fatal in some cases.
• Malaria – Most cases of malaria in the U.S. are contracted by travelers returning from outside the country, about 2,000 cases annually. Symptoms include fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Malaria can be fatal, but the worst outcomes are usually preventable with proper medical intervention.

Mosquito Prevention Tips

Mosquito bites are more than annoying; they can be downright dangerous. But with some simple adjustments, you can drastically reduce your chances of getting bitten and contracting a mosquito-borne disease. Some easy ways you can prevent mosquito bites are:

• Address standing water – Cover swimming pools when not in use and fill puddles with sand or gravel. Locate any buckets, pots, or other containers that gather rainwater on your property, and dump them out.
• Do some yard work – Trimming the hedges and mowing the lawn can help to reduce the shady areas where mosquitoes like to rest.
• Watch what you wear – Mosquitoes tend to bite people wearing dark-colored clothing. Wear lighter colors to help avoid being bitten.
• Keep cool – Mosquitoes are attracted to people with high body heat, including pregnant women, people with higher body weight, those who have recently exercised, and those who have recently consumed alcohol.
• Avoid dusk and dawn – Try to stay indoors around the twilight hours when mosquitoes are most active. Dusk and dawn are prime hours for hungry mosquitoes.

If you’re tired of dangerous mosquitoes on your property, the best way to deal with the problem is with help from your friends at Bug Bros Pest Control. When you choose our mosquito control services, we’ll thoroughly treat your yard for mosquitoes and help you to correct the conditions that lead to mosquito infestations on your property. Our mosquito control services come completely backed by our Crazy Happy Guarantee — you’ll be Crazy Happy with the results or your money back. Get in touch with us today for more information!