The Impact of Flies and Mosquitoes Control on Your Health

There are few things worse than pesky flies and mosquitoes taking the fun out of outdoor activities. Mosquitoes are able to zero in on people and other animals from several feet away using a number of clues, including carbon dioxide exhaled during respiration and the scent of perspiration.

Flies and Mosquitoes Control habitat by removing anything outside that can hold water—old tires, buckets, tin cans, ceramic pots and more. Drain and clean bird baths, pet dishes, rain barrels and swimming pools.

1. Disease Transmission

Mosquitoes carry pathogens (viruses, bacteria or parasites) that can cause disease in people and other animals. These insects become carriers by feeding on infected animals or plants and then transfer the pathogens through their bites.

The Zika virus and a number of other mosquito-borne diseases are of particular concern. They include malaria, which kills 3.9 billion people around the world every year; yellow fever; dengue; and West Nile virus. Mosquitoes also transmit encephalitis, which can be deadly.

To feed, mosquitoes need water, which they find by searching for dark objects. When they detect movement, they fly toward the object and pierce the skin with their proboscis to find blood vessels. Once they find one, the mosquito injects saliva into the wound to prevent clotting. The saliva may contain pathogens such as the malaria parasite or encephalitis viruses, which can cause disease in humans and other animals that get bitten.

Fortunately, there are many steps we can take to reduce the spread of mosquitoes and other diseases they carry. Check and regularly clean roof gutters, drain rainwater tanks, and remove and dispose of garbage and trash on a regular basis to eliminate breeding sites. Use insecticides approved for mosquito control, as directed.

2. Insect Bite Irritation

While a mosquito bite is usually harmless, it can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Those who are susceptible to allergies develop red, raised skin bumps or welts that are intensely itchy. Scratching these sites breaks the skin, which allows bacteria to enter and cause a localized infection.

In general, most insect bites and stings are mild and disappear within a few days. If a sting or bite is painful, you can treat it with an over-the-counter painkiller such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

For bug bites that itch, you can apply an over-the-counter antihistamine cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching. You should also wash the bite site with soap and water to help prevent infections caused by bacteria.

The best way to minimize the impact of mosquitoes is to use preventive measures such as trapping, larviciding and adulticiding. You can also take steps to avoid getting bitten, such as staying indoors during peak mosquito hours or covering exposed skin. If you are traveling to an area known to have high mosquito populations, it is recommended that you seek vaccinations that protect against the diseases that are carried by these insects.

3. Skin Irritation

Mosquitoes have a long mouthpart called a proboscis that they use to pierce skin and suck blood for food. Female mosquitoes need the protein in blood to develop eggs.

Bite irritation is often mild, but some people have significant itching. Itching can be so severe it interferes with sleep and daily activities. Over-the-counter antihistamine creams, lotions and tablets can reduce itching. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area for 10-15 minutes can also help.

Mosquito saliva contains chemicals that stimulate mast cells to release inflammatory molecules. These chemicals trigger the itching response in some individuals (34). It is not clear whether the delayed itch is due to direct stimulation of mast cells by salivary components resulting in degranulation or via an IgE-independent inflammatory cascade.

The best way to prevent insect bites and associated itching is to apply a repellent with an appropriate concentration of DEET. Concentrations of 20 to 50% provide effective protection against mosquitoes and ticks for up to several hours. Alternative repellents include picaridin and PMD (p-menthane-3,8-diol), which are contained in lemon eucalyptus extract.

Reduce mosquito populations in and around your home by draining puddles, changing the water in birdbaths and other standing containers regularly, and placing insecticide-treated baits near areas where mosquitoes breed. Adding larvae-eating fish to ornamental ponds can also help control mosquitoes.

4. Parasites

Flies and mosquitoes are capable of carrying and transmitting a variety of pathogens such as parasites, viruses, bacteria and protozoans. These are transmitted when the insects bite, and the symptoms of infection vary from mild to severe.

Mosquitoes can detect a host from many feet away by sensing carbon dioxide exhaled through the breath, and they can also sense body chemicals such as lactic acid in pestemite. When a mosquito locates its target, it lands on them, inserts its proboscis into the skin, and probes for blood vessels to draw blood. A mosquito’s saliva contains an anticoagulant to ensure a smooth flow of blood. If a mosquito is carrying pathogens such as the malaria parasite or encephalitis virus, it injects these into its host along with the blood, resulting in disease.

While some people do not show any signs of being bitten by mosquitoes, others may wake up with dozens of bites. The itching of mosquito bites varies from person to person and can be intense and debilitating.

Mosquito populations are difficult to control. They are highly adaptable and can breed in many water sources. There are also thousands of different species of mosquitoes, and not all are disease vectors. A successful mosquito control strategy requires a multifaceted approach including surveillance, breeding source reduction, and adult and larval insecticide applications.