Nobody wants to be bitten by mosquitoes. At best, you get an itchy welt that lasts for days. And at worst, you could contract a serious illness like malaria or West Nile virus. You know how important it is to defend yourself against mosquitoes, but sometimes it can seem like you can’t keep the bloodsuckers at bay no matter what you do. So, here’s what to know about protecting yourself from mosquitoes in Nassau County.
What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?
Mosquitoes are flying parasitic insects that gather and breed around areas of still water like ponds, swamps, and puddles. They feed on blood for survival and can reproduce quickly. An average mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs at a time and needs only a small amount of water to reproduce.
No one is invulnerable to mosquitoes, but these bugs prefer certain victims over others. In fact, you could be attracting mosquitoes without even knowing it. A few common factors that attract mosquitoes include:
- Dark-colored clothing: Mosquitoes are surprisingly visual hunters and pick out victims in dark colors over those wearing lighter clothes.
- Metabolism: People with high metabolisms produce more carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.
- Body heat: Excess body heat is very appealing to mosquitoes. People who have recently exercised and pregnant women are especially susceptible.
- Blood type: Type O blood is preferred by mosquitoes when given a choice.
How Dangerous Are Mosquitoes?
You may have had dozens of mosquito bites in your life and never experienced any medical consequences. So, you might find it hard to believe that, pound for pound, mosquitoes are considered the deadliest animal on the planet.
Every year, mosquitoes are responsible for approximately one million deaths around the world. Serious diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika virus, and West Nile virus are caused by mosquitoes. While potentially harmful pests like venomous spiders and wasps can usually be located and extracted from your property, mosquitoes are often too populous to eliminate. In other words, mosquitoes can be controlled, but because they are outdoor insects that breed in huge numbers, they are almost impossible to eliminate.
You might not think of mosquito bites as a threat to your health, but protecting yourself is incredibly important.
How To Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes
Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent mosquito bites. A few changes in your routine and wardrobe can have a big impact on protecting yourself:
- Avoid still water. If you like to walk or exercise near a pond or other still water sources, try to pick a different route. Look around your property for any stagnant water that may have accumulated in buckets or basins and empty them as needed.
- Wear light-colored clothing. White, pastel, and tan are shades you should choose when you know you’ll be outdoors in a mosquito-infested area. Dark colors are preferred by mosquitoes and put you at greater risk of being bitten.
- Stay indoors during twilight hours. Mosquitoes are at their most active around dusk and dawn. If you walk the dog, go running, or do other outdoor activities at sunrise or sunset, considering adjusting your schedule.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself from mosquitoes is enlist the help of the professionals at Parkway Pest Services. When you choose our mosquito control services, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve got your backyard back. We offer ongoing mosquito control for your property and one-time treatments for all your important outdoor events like birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. If you want to protect yourself from mosquitoes in Nassau County, get in touch with us today.