Not only are the bites from mosquitoes annoying and itchy, they can also be deadly. The Middleton Culex Mosquito can carry diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, encephalitis and West Nile virus.
Mosquitoes hunt for food by detecting body heat or the carbon dioxide that humans exhale. Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar. Only female mosquitoes suck our blood, as they use the protein in blood to develop eggs. They will lay their eggs on any standing water they can find. It takes 2 weeks for the eggs to go through the different stages to become an adult Culex Mosquito. A mosquito lives for about a month.
West Nile Facts
The Culex Mosquito is the primary carrier of West Nile virus. Idaho has been detecting West Nile-positive mosquitoes since 2004. In 2017, there were 25 people, 7 horses, 3 birds and 1 llama reported to be infected by West Nile virus. West Nile virus is spread through mosquito bites, and isn’t transferable from person-to-person during casual contact. Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes or a skin rash. On rare occasions, the virus can cause severe illness. People over the age of 50 are especially susceptible to this severe form of West Nile. In case of this severe illness, it may require hospitalization and can even lead to death.
Prevention
To prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your property, make sure you have no standing water. This can include water sitting in flower pots, dog bowls, bird baths, grill covers, etc. Make sure you have screens on all doors and windows, so that they can’t enter your home. The Middleton Culex Mosquito is most active at dawn and dusk. Minimize your outdoor activities during those times, and be sure to wear insect repellents when you do go outside.
The Middleton Culex Mosquito could really put a damper on your trip to Foote Park, or a backyard barbecue. Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your fun, call Get Lost Pest Control today! Our fast and friendly technicians would love to help rid your property of those pesky mosquitoes!
