Here in Sacramento, mosquitos are an inevitable part of summer. However, you don’t have to forgo the beautiful outdoor weather altogether just to avoid coming into contact with these pests. There are plenty of other ways that you can protect yourself and your family from their bites and the dangerous diseases that they are known for carrying while still enjoying your summer.
In today’s blog post from Earthwise Pest Management, we are going to discuss mosquitoes, what diseases they carry, and how you can protect yourself. Read on to learn more, and if you are interested in speaking to one of our Sacramento pest control experts, reach out to our team today. We’ll get you started with a free estimate.
General Mosquito Information
Mosquitoes are a common insect that most people have had a run-in with throughout their lives. They are known for biting and leaving behind itchy, red bumps, as well as spreading diseases. Mosquitoes are equipped with a long, sucking mouthpart that allows them to feed on our blood. In this process, they release saliva into our body. Mosquito saliva contains a mild pain-killer so that you don’t feel that bite of the insect; however, an allergic reaction to their saliva is also what makes the area swell and itch.
Mosquitoes are a common enough insect that we may not always take notice of them. In fact, we probably wouldn’t be as concerned about them if they didn’t spread dangerous diseases. However, mosquitoes have been known to transmit West Nile Virus, Miliaria, and other harmful diseases.
Mosquito-Spread Diseases
In this next section, we’ll discuss the most common diseases that are spread by mosquitoes, as well as how to tell if you may have contracted any of them.
Zika Virus
The Zika virus is commonly transmitted through mosquito bites. Common symptoms include fever, headache, red eyes, muscle pain, and rash. The Zika virus can be transmitted from mother to baby as well as through sexual contact. Additionally, this virus can cause birth defects and has been connected to Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Dengue Virus
Dengue viruses consist of four different types, typically referred to as simply one, two, three, and four. All four types can be transmitted by mosquitoes, and since four types exist, a person can become infected with a Dengue virus up to four times in their life. Dengue viruses cause symptoms including fever, eye pain, headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, bone pain, joint pain, and muscle pain. People may experience no symptoms at all or symptoms that are severe enough to require hospital care and even lead to death.
West Nile Virus
Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus don’t experience any symptoms. However, some may experience a fever, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash. Most individuals who have West Nile Virus do recover, although recovery can take weeks or even months in some cases. In rare cases, the virus can affect the central nervous system such as encephalitis or meningitis. In extremely rare cases, the individual may die.
Malaria
Malaria is another disease that can be transmitted through a mosquito bite. It typically causes flu-like symptoms including a fever. Most individuals who become infected with malaria become very sick, although death can be prevented in most cases when medical treatment is sought.
How to Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites
The best way to protect yourself from these diseases is to prevent mosquitoes from biting you in the first place. In order to do this, you can take preventative measures such as using mosquito repellent, minimizing the places that mosquitoes can lay eggs in your yard, and wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants.
Reach Out to The Mosquito Control Experts
While it’s impossible to not come into contact with a mosquito or two during the summer in Sacramento, if there are too many mosquitoes in your yard, you may want to consider enlisting help from a local pest control company like Earthwise Pest Management. Our team can help to remove pests including mosquitoes from your property and prevent them from ever returning. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our mosquito control services and we’ll get you started with a free estimate.