Pest of the Month: Mosquitoes

The different species of mosquito
Mosquitoes exist around the entire world, and there are thousands of different species. In North America, one of the most popular types is the house mosquito. They are small and brown, and they like to hang out near polluted standing water. They can also transmit various diseases. In the warmer, more tropical areas of the US like Florida, you will find the southern mosquito. These are very similar to house mosquitoes but can carry West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses. Finally, you also might find the Asian Tiger mosquito, which is white and tends to lay eggs in clean water. They are very aggressive with their bites, but they aren't very strong flyers.

Threats
The biggest threat mosquitoes present is the diseases they can carry. Although it's rare, some mosquito bites can lead to deadly diseases. In certain African and Asian countries, mosquitoes are considered extremely dangerous, and mosquito nets are essential for maintaining your health and safety. Mosquito bites are also very irritating and painful.

Prevention
There are many ways that you can prevent mosquito bites when you go outside. If you live in an area where mosquitoes are common, you should always wear mosquito spray or protective clothing. There are also a few things that will make you more attractive to mosquitoes that you should avoid. For example, mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors, so light-colored clothing can keep you safe.

To keep mosquitoes away from your house, you should always keep screens on your windows. Since mosquitoes like standing water, be careful to clean out any standing water in buckets near your home. You should also avoid building fountains or other standing water features if you live in a mosquito-heavy area.