See how far we’ve come and what’s in store for the future Every August 20th is World Mosquito Day, but don’t let the name fool you; this is not a day to celebrate mosquitos. Instead, it’s a commemoration of a momentous mosquito discovery. It was on August 20, 1897, that the British doctor Sir Ronald…
Global warming may not be good for us, but it could be great for mosquitos Although global warming (more accurately, anthropogenic climate change) is still a heated debate (no pun intended) – at least in terms of exactly how fast it will have an impact – one thing is clear: Warmer temperatures are great for…
Ranking the species by the threat Most mosquitos are harmless. That may not be a popular sentiment around these parts, but it’s true. Of the 3,500 different kinds of mosquitos, only about 100 of them actually spread disease. And because it’s only the females that bite people, half of that 100 can immediately be discounted.…
These mosquito eaters cut down on your biting nemesis Pest control has a lot in common with warfare and politics, at least in one sense: the enemy of your enemy is often your friend. And in the case of controlling the mosquito population, there are several friendly species that hit up mosquitos for food. But…
Planning a trip to a mosquito zone? Take these precautions Mosquitos are responsible for the spread of dangerous diseases all over the world, including the Zika virus, malaria, West Nile, yellow fever, and dengue. Every year, millions of people are infected. If you are planning a trip, whether close to home or in another country,…
The little pests get everywhere … including the history books! The male mosquito may only average a 10-day lifespan and the female a little over 50 days, but they’ve been a sore point for over 46 million years. And like it or not, they’ve played a huge role in world history. We’re not just talking…
Here’s a hint: It may be the same route your clothes and toothbrush take In Florida, it’s hard to miss news about mosquitos. We’re constantly bombarded with stories about them swarming after a hurricane or potentially carrying a disease like Zika. And while some places (like Florida) have a big native population of these bugs,…
Make yourself less attractive to mosquitos by understanding how they really find you—which has nothing to do with blood. You’ve heard it from someone you know, or maybe even witnessed it first-hand. Some people just seem to be mosquito magnets. You can stand near them and hardly be harassed by the mosquitoes, and somebody next…
Your mosquito mileage may vary, as these solutions work differently on different people. There’s no place like home—especially when the grounds are protected by an automatic misting system to keep the mosquitos and other things that bite and sting at bay. Set it and forget it for a mosquito-free yard. But though your home may…
A controversial way to halt the virus in its tracks Ever since man and mosquito have come into contact with one another, the insect has been a problem. With the various diseases they spread, these little bugs have killed – and continue to kill – millions. They are far and away the deadliest creature on…