MosquitoSquad Louisville, Kentucky 502.315.9097

New species of Mosquito identified

2011-03-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

According to the Los Angeles Time, February 2011, a new subspecies of mosquito has been detected in West Africa. This new species is highly susceptible to carrying the parasite that causes malaria. This discovery comes at a time when researchers are looking for ways to wipe out malaria in West Africa. While malaria has been eradicated in the United States,the disease has been responsible for many deaths in West Africa.

According to a study published in the journal Science, this new subgroup lives outside which makes them much harder to kill. In efforts to help eradicate malaria in West Africa, researchers have been searching for ways to kill the inside-dwelling species, such as spraying. With the discovery of this new subspecies of mosquitoes, they now know why their efforts have not been entirely effective. This new mosquito has also shown a great preference for human blood.

The subspecies is known as Goundry, nicknamed for one of the villages close by from where it is found. It is a subgroup of Anopheles gambiae mosquito that biologists have been studying. They do not think that it has been around for a long time and even think that it may have evolved from their efforts to kill the inside mosquitoes.
The French scientist, Ken Vernick, who discovered the mosquito along with colleagues believes this mosquito to be quite a worthy adversary and one that is going to be hard to get rid of in the battle against malaria.

Mosquito Squad of Louisville
502-315-9097
www.mosquitosquad.com

Are you attractive to a mosquito?

2011-03-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

So many times when people are talking about mosquitoes you will hear someone say "They just love me!". Why is that? Is it true? Do some people attract mosquitoes more than others? It is true. According to experts, one in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes do not want just "any" blood.
Scientists do know that genetics account for 85% of our susceptibility to getting mosquito bites. It is certain parts of our body's chemistry that attract mosquitoes. Larger people are more attractive to mosquitoes because they are a larger target and they produce more attractors-CO2 and lactic acid. Active and fidgety people are more attractive for the same reasons. Movement increases biting up to 50% in research tests. Women are more attractive to mosquitoes than men because of the difference in hormones. Pregnant women are also more apt to get bitten because they produce more than normal amounts of exhaled carbon dioxide.
Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark clothing. The contrast that dark clothing makes with the background makes it easier for mosquitoes to find their target. Also, dark clothing traps body heat which also increases your appeal. When you are outside, you should wear long-sleeved, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to help deter mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are attracted to certain scents such as the smell of dirty socks,soaps and perfumes.
Although you can't fight genetics,these are a few things you can be aware of to help combat those bites. Those of you who are more appetizing to mosquitoes will know that you were right when you were thinking you are more of a target than others.

Mosquito Squad of Louisville
502-315-9097
www.mosquitosquad.com

10 Fast Facts about Mosquitoes!

2011-03-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

1. There are 176 species of mosquitoes in the United States. There are about 50 of these species in Kentucky.

2.It is the female mosquito that bites you in order to get protein for her eggs.

3. If your dog or cat is bitten by a mosquito, there is a chance that they can be infected with heartworm.

4. All different species have different feeding habits. Some are night feeders and some eat around the clock.

5.Besides leaving an itchy bug bite behind that can cause an allergic reaction, mosquitoes are known transporters of dangerous disease - West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever and Encephalitis.

6.A female mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. Mosquito eggs can survive for more than 5 years!

7. Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths than any other living creature.

8. Not all species of mosquitoes bite humans - some prefer birds, horses, and some will even bite frogs and turtles.

9.Heat, movement and body scent are what mosquitoes use to track their prey from long and short distances.

10. Mosquitoes prefer shade and yards with lots of trees, shrubs and dense vegetation.

Mosquito Squad of Louisville
502-315-9097
www.mosquitosquad.com

Spring and mosquitoes!

2011-03-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

Spring has finally come to Kentucky. Along with the sporadic warm weather and more pleasant evenings, the rain is also here to get us ready for summer. Just like us, mosquitoes like warmer weather and they love the rain!!! When doing your spring cleaning and getting your yard ready for outdoor activities, don't forget the small, simple things that you can do to also cut down on the mosquito population in your yard. One of the things that I always find amazing about mosquitoes is that they can hatch their eggs in as little as a tablespoon of water. That is the size of a bottlecap! Make sure that you do not have places with pooled water such as turned-over swimming pools, tarp covers, tires, flower pot trays, etc. Dump them out. Make sure you clean your gutters. The leaves that collect there throughout the fall and winter make great places for trapped water and good homes for mosquitoes. With all of the rain that we get in the spring, you have to be pretty vigilant about keeping the water drained. It takes as little as 5-7 days for a mosquito to go through all 4 stages of development to become an adult. It doesn't take long for them to become comfortable in your yard.
While you are thinking about what to plant to beautify your space, you may also think about planting a few plants on your deck or patio to help repel mosquitoes. Keep in mind, these will not keep mosquitoes out of your yard, but they may assist in your enjoyment of certain sitting areas. You can look on the internet for all different types of plants that may help, such as marigolds, geraniums, and certain herbs. You will also find all sorts of "suggestions" on what crazy things people have tried to rid themselves of the pesky insect.
There are other things to try that you might find useful. You may consider a bat house. They are not unsightly to look at and bats are supposed to make a lot of meals out of mosquitoes. However, there is a trick to trying to get the bats to inhabit your bat house. I haven't figured it out yet. I have had one for about 5 years now. Although we see bats flying around our large trees in our yard in the evening, they have never chosen to inhabit our bat house. We even had a person specializing in them install the house in our yard and he said it was perfect for the bats. Oh well...
I have a friend who has a purple martin house on her property. She says that really helps with her mosquito problems. However, if you do a little research on the purple martins, you will find that in fact they can eat 2000 mosquitoes a day, but they usually don't. Mosquitoes do a lot of damage at dusk and evening when the martins are settling in for the night. Mosquitoes stay close to the ground near foilage and where it is damp. Martins like to eat high in the air, sometimes as high as 300 or 400 feet. Their paths do not cross that often. Martins often feed far away from their home as not to attract predators to their nest. Also, a martin's favorite prey is the dragonfly. Dragonflies love mosquito larvae. So, it may seem that martins actually help out mosquitoes by killing one of their biggest predators. The purple martin houses are quite attractive, though, as well as other bird houses. Putting up bird houses in your yard may also encourage birds to stay in your area and help with the mosquito population.
If you have a pond or water feature that can hold fish, you may also consider adding some that also eat mosquitoes such as the Mosquitofish. They are a good choice because they can tolerate various changes in the water temperature that other fish cannot.
Just do some thinking about ways to help control mosquitoes in your environment. There are a few simple things that you probably do anyway, such as clean your gutters, that can make a significant reduction in the amount of mosquitoes in your yard.

Mosquito Squad of Louisville
502-315-9097
www.mosquitosquad.com

Late Summer Mosquito Control Still Necessary

2010-08-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

In July 2010, there were 3 fatalities due to a mosquito-borne virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), in Florida. This illness is quite rare in the United States. It is an inflammation of the brain with symptoms like sudden onset of headache, chills and high fever, and vomiting. The symptoms can begin within a few days or weeks of the mosquito bite. It can progress to seizures, disorientation and coma. Peak time for mosquito-borne viruses in the United States is considered to be mid-August through October. Don't stop with your mosquito control yet!

With the hot and humid weather, there is usually an increase in mosquito population. It is not uncommon to have an increase in mosquitoes after big storms. Mosquitoes really like the humidity. Higher temperatures at night also lead to a larger mosquito population. However, the weather can be too hot and too dry for mosquitoes. In the instance where there are less mosquitoes and more mosquitoes are inactive, mosquito bites can be potentially more dangerous because they are more potent.

Continue taking all the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and long pants when it is weather permitting. Make sure your screens on doors and windows are intact to keep mosquitoes out of your home. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites on your property. Empty stagnant birdbaths, pot saucers, tarps and tires. Use insect repellent or have your yard sprayed. Also, make sure you continue to protect your pets who are also prone to mosquitoes and the illnesses that they transport.

Pets and Mosquito Control

2010-06-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

When you think about controlling mosquitoes to protect your family members, don't forget about the furry, four-legged members of your family also. Even though you may consider your cat or dog an indoor pet, they can still be exposed to a mosquito that gets inside the house through a window or open door. A bite from a mosquito to your pet could deliver an infective larvae that could migrate to your cat or dog's heart and develop into heartworms. In cats, many of the larvae do not develop into adult heartworms but travel to the lungs instead. This can cause severe respiratory illness. The treatments for heartworms in dogs are not easy and can be quite costly. The best treatment for your pets is prevention. Heartworm preventive medications that you get from your veterinarian are very effective. Make sure you still get your pets tested for heartworms at their regular checkup even if they take the preventive medication. Keep an eye out for symptoms in your dogs - coughing and shortness of breath. In your cats, coughing is also a symptom as well as vomiting and diarrhea. Heartworms are not always easy to detect but with preventive medicines, regular checkups and attention to your pet's overall well-being, you can certainly make sure you are doing your best to prevent a disease that can be potentially life-threatening. For more information on heartworm and your pet go to the American Heartworm Society's website at www.heartwormsociety.org.

Is Malaria still a problem with mosquito control?

2010-05-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

I get so annoyed when my daughter comes in from playing out in the backyard with mosquito bites all over her. It looks awful and the itching makes her very uncomfortable. I don't really worry about malaria, though. Not the case for mothers in Africa!
Did you know that malaria has been eradicated from the United States for over 50 years? It has been under control, and in some instances, eliminated from parts of Europe, Asia and the Americas. However, malaria is the #1 single killer of children under the age of 5 in sub-Saharan Africa. More than 850,000 people a year die of malaria. The most astounding fact to me, though, is that it is totally preventable and treatable.
The mosquitoes are nocturnal in Africa. That's why a bed net is often all it takes to protect a mother and her children. For the small cost of $10, you can provide a bed net that will protect a mother and infant or two children for a period of 5 years. That is what Malaria No More does. Through donations, they provide long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets for families in Africa. Sounds simple, doesn't it?
If you are interested in finding out more information about Malaria No More or donating to them, visit www.malarianomore.org .

Mosquito: What you don't know could hurt you.

2010-03-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

We thought we would start our blog with a little general information about the mosquito. We hope to make this blog interesting and an excellent source of information. So let's talk Mosquitoes. . .

More than an annoyance, mosquitoes are blood-sucking transmitters of horrific disease. Many scholars postulate that the mosquito is responsible for more human deaths throughout history than any other organism.

In the United States, we tend to be less aware of the deadly role of mosquitoes because we control their population to a great extent. Still, on average, over 1,000 Americans annually experience serious illness or death as a result of a mosquito bite.

To be fair, the mosquito by itself is not the danger. The problem is the bacteria and other parasites carried by the mosquito. The mosquito is simply the delivery mechanism for the parasite – just as a gun is the delivery mechanism for a bullet (except, this gun sucks your blood even when it’s not loaded).

The red, itchy bump at the site of a mosquito bite is your body’s reaction to the mosquito’s saliva – a reaction that occurs regardless of a parasite’s presence.

Quick mosquito facts

* There are over 3,000 mosquito species worldwide
* Over 150 mosquito species inhabit the U.S.
* A relatively small number of species transmit dangerous disease
* Only adult female mosquitoes bite
* A female mosquito needs one blood meal for every batch of eggs she produces
* Mosquitoes feed on nectar, plant juices and decaying plant material
* All mosquitoes have 4 distinct life stages:
o egg
o larva
o pupa
o adult
* Mosquito eggs require water to hatch into successful larvae
* Mosquito eggs can survive up to 7 years before hatching
* With a 100% survival rate, a single mosquito could be responsible for over 1 billion mosquito descendants in under a month

Mosquitoes: what you don't know could hurt you.

2010-03-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

More than an annoyance, mosquitoes are blood-sucking transmitters of horrific disease. Many scholars postulate that the mosquito is responsible for more human deaths throughout history than any other organism.

In the United States, we tend to be less aware of the deadly role of mosquitoes because we control their population to a great extent. Still, on average, over 1,000 Americans annually experience serious illness or death as a result of a mosquito bite.

To be fair, the mosquito by itself is not the danger. The problem is the bacteria and other parasites carried by the mosquito. The mosquito is simply the delivery mechanism for the parasite – just as a gun is the delivery mechanism for a bullet (except, this gun sucks your blood even when it’s not loaded).

The red, itchy bump at the site of a mosquito bite is your body’s reaction to the mosquito’s saliva – a reaction that occurs regardless of a parasite’s presence.

Quick mosquito facts

There are over 3,000 mosquito species worldwide
Over 150 mosquito species inhabit the U.S.
A relatively small number of species transmit dangerous disease
Only adult female mosquitoes bite
A female mosquito needs one blood meal for every batch of eggs she produces
Mosquitoes feed on nectar, plant juices and decaying plant material
All mosquitoes have 4 distinct life stages:
- egg
- larva
- pupa
- adult
Mosquito eggs require water to hatch into successful larvae
Mosquito eggs can survive up to 7 years before hatching
With a 100% survival rate, a single mosquito could be responsible for over 1 billion mosquito descendants in under a month