There’s nothing like spending time outdoors in the summer. Fresh air, warm sun, plenty of activities to keep you and your family on the go. It’s all fun and games until those blood-thirsty mosquitoes find you.
Despite their annoyance, it’s hard to imagine something so small posing any danger to you or your family. Unfortunately, their itchy bites aren’t always the only thing they leave behind.
The Problem with Mosquitoes
Many homeowners make it a habit to empty out items in their yard to reduce the amount of standing water around their homes. Why? Those pesky mosquitoes. As if their itch-inducing bites weren’t bad enough, they carry a wide variety of infectious diseases.
In the United States, the West Nile virus is of great concern. According to the CDC, approximately 20% of people infected develop symptoms of West Nile virus. Symptoms include:
- headache
- pain throughout the body
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- rash
Fortunately, most people recover completely, though it’s possible for fatigue and weakness to linger for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. While this doesn’t necessarily sound terribly concerning, it’s important to note that a small percentage (less than 1%) of people develop a neurological illness. Encephalitis and meningitis are of the greatest concern, especially for people already struggling with other health issues. Recovery from this type of infection takes much longer and some of the effects are possibly permanent. Of the less than 1% of people who do develop neurological illness from the West Nile virus, roughly 10% will not survive.
There are measures you can take to keep the mosquitoes away. These include:
- Empty any standing water on your property
- Use plants that deter mosquitoes in your landscaping
- Use insect repellent granules
- Use topical insect repellent when outdoors
While mosquitoes are a pain, there are ways to keep them at bay. For more information about mosquito control, contact the professionals at Consolidated Pest Control.
