Most people consider mosquito-borne illness a problem for long distance travelers journeying to faraway jungles or swamps. And for the most part, this is true. Yellow fever and malaria have been virtually eliminated from the United States due to vaccines and medication, and the Zika virus hasn’t been documented in the United States since 2019. However, there are some mosquito-borne illnesses that cause hundreds of cases per year in the United States: Chikungunya, Dengue, and West Nile virus.
But the possibility of contracting mosquito-borne illness shouldn’t scare you into staying inside all summer. There are over 3,500 different types of mosquitoes on Earth and only a handful of them actually transit diseases. Even rarer, the mosquito has to drink from an animal or human carrying a very specific type of germ that can not only survive within the body of the mosquito, but multiply. The germ is then spread through the blood of the next animal or human it feeds from.
Even if you’re unlucky enough to get bitten by a mosquito carrying the mosquito-borne illness found in the United States, the symptoms are fortunately, for the most part, fairly mild. Most people who contract Zika, Dengue, or West Nile have no symptoms at all. For those infected with Chikungunya, however, most will develop symptoms. Chikungunya causes severe muscle and joint pain, which can continue for months after the infected person begins to feel better.
So, how can we stay safe from mosquito-borne illness this summer season? There are a few ways to lower your chances of getting bitten:
- Empty any flowerpots, birdbaths, buckets, gutters, or outside pet water dishes. Mosquitoes spend the majority of their lifecycle in standing water, so eliminating places for eggs to hatch and grow is vital in keeping your backyard mosquito-free.
- If you happen to have any ponds in your backyard, try introducing fish or frogs. Both frogs and fish eat mosquito larvae, making them a perfect solution to the issue of standing water.
- If possible, avoid going outside after dusk. Mosquitoes (much like us) don’t like midday heat. They stick to shaded and woody areas throughout the day and come out of hiding when the sun goes down. Mosquitoes are most active starting in the late afternoon and continue to feed until dawn.
- Wear insect repellents that contain DEET, a chemical that makes you “invisible” to mosquitoes by confusing their sense of smell. This way, you’ll still be able to enjoy nights by the campfire, roasting marshmallows and making smores,.
- Stick to long-sleeved, light-colored clothes. Studies show that mosquitoes are most attracted to black objects, so wearing dark colors may make you mosquito magnet.
Ever notice how some people seem to get bitten by mosquitoes more than others? It may have to do with blood type. Studies show that mosquitoes prefer type O blood.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we still get the occasional, annoying mosquito bite. There are plenty of at-home remedies to help you deal with the itchiness and ensure the bites heal quickly.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal has anti-irritant properties that are perfect for dealing with pesky mosquito bites. Simply make oatmeal paste from equal parts oatmeal and water and apply it to the bite for 10 minutes before washing it off.
- Rubbing Alcohol: This common household item soothes the site of your mosquito bite by removing the protein that causes your immune system to react with itchiness and swelling. Alcohol wipes offer the same relief and can be used on-the-go.
- Ice: Apply an ice pack or a cold rag to the mosquito bite and keep it there for 5-10 minutes. Ice tends to give more temporary relief since, unlike rubbing alcohol, it doesn’t stop your immune system’s reaction. However, it does work in a pinch.
- Antihistamines: Like rubbing alcohol, allergy medication like Zyrtec, Claritin, and Benadryl block your immune system’s reaction to the bite, helping you find relief from the itchy feeling.
