Prepare Against the Hazards of Mosquitoes – Mosquito Diseases List

When you think of dangerous animals, more often than not, creatures such as lions or rattlesnakes come to mind, not mosquitoes. Yet, those small creatures are responsible for the deaths of over 1 million people every year. They are so persistent that about the only way to avoid the hazards of mosquitoes is to eliminate the small creatures.

The World Health Organization estimates that malaria, one of the diseases caused by mosquitoes, is responsible for killing a child every 30 seconds.

Mosquito Diseases List for Southern California

West Nile Virus
St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE)
Zika Virus
Dengue Fever
Chikungunya
Heartworm
Western Equine Encephalomyelitis
Rift Valley Fever
Malaria
Yellow Fever

This list of diseases caused by mosquitoes is both deadly and preventable. The mosquito disease, Zika, made international headlines during the 2016 Olympic games, causing widespread panic in several countries.
Unfortunately, many families are now forced to deal with the awful consequences of Zika. Even though the disease is treatable in adults, the effect is has on the unborn children of infected mothers is irreversible.

How to Prevent the Hazards of Mosquitoes

A mosquito multiplies by laying eggs on top of stagnant water. A single female mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. She will deposit eggs up to three times during her two-month life span resulting in up to 900 offspring. Each one of those can replicate and so on until you have a mind-boggling number of mosquitoes.

However, the thing to remember is that for mosquito eggs to hatch, there must be standing water.

For ten days the mosquito larva lives in the water before maturing and flying away. It doesn’t take much water. As little as an inch is needed for the eggs to hatch. When Southern California experiences periods of rain, that’s when the harmful effects of mosquitoes start to appear.

3 Tips for Minimizing the Risks from Mosquitoes

The number one thing you can do to eliminate the hazards of mosquitoes is to prevent them from breeding. Eliminate all standing water in and around your house. Remember, it doesn’t take but about an inch, so you have to be vigilant. Turn over yard toys, and drain outdoor containers. Inspect drains and gutters for standing water.
Use mosquito repellent on both yourself and your pets. Look for a spray that has Deet as one of its ingredients and follow the directions closely. Several different companies offer both sprays and pills for your dogs and cats that help repel mosquitoes. If the female mosquito cannot feast, then she cannot lay eggs.
Hire a pest control company to spray for mosquitoes both inside and outside your home. Mosquitoes like to hide in dark, moist places such as under houses or in the garage. A pest control professional knows where to spray most effectively and which chemicals work best to rid yourself of the pests.

Backup Measures to Prevent Mosquito Bites

The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to follow the tips outlined above. However, backup measures are sometimes necessary, especially after a bout of rainy weather. In Southern California, the mosquito problem can become quite a nuisance, especially with all the outdoor activities.
Mosquitoes are naturally repelled by certain plants. Citronella, marigolds, and catnip all repel mosquitoes and can be easily grown in pots. During your next barbecue, decorate the tables with these plants or citronella candles, so that mosquitoes don’t feast along with your guests.
Bats eat a great number of mosquitoes. Southern California boasts several different types of bats and they can be encouraged to nest near your home. Bat houses are typically situated atop tall poles and look a lot like birdhouses. At night the bats will fly overhead and eat the mosquitoes along with other insects.
Birds also eat a large number of mosquitoes. So, if the idea of bats flying around your backyard is not appealing, then you may want to put out birdhouses. Birds eat a diet of both grains and bugs, so it won’t hurt to attract them with bird feeders. They will still eat up your insects.

You Need Not Fear the Hazards of Mosquitoes

It’s true that the Mosquito Diseases List looks a bit scary. Mosquitoes are something to be concerned about. However, with a bit of caution, you should not have to fear the hazards of mosquitoes. Get rid of standing water and spray both your house and yourself. Don’t let the little pests prevent you from enjoying the beautiful outdoors in Southern California.