Nothing beats the experience of having fun outside. The simple joy of the relaxing touch of a cool breeze outdoors is hard to beat.

But there’s one spoiler everybody hates; bugs! Particularly mosquitoes.

Aside from the obvious annoyance that they bring, there’s also a risk that the victim may contract some of the life threatening diseases that only these tiny vampires spread.

They carry bacteria and viruses that cause dengue, malaria, yellow fever, West Nile, and chikungunya.

From childhood, almost every individual has a preconceived notion about mosquitoes. Some may be true but majority are just myths or old age beliefs. Here’s a comprehensive list of the most common myths people have about mosquitoes:

Myth #1 All mosquitoes feed on human blood

Most people think that all mosquitoes bite and feed on human blood. But if this is true, why do you think majority of mosquitoes choose to live in the wild or outdoors instead of the city centers where there are millions of humans to prey on?
The truth is; there are approximately 3500 mosquito species on the planet. And each specie has its own favorite food source from fruits, nectar, animal and human blood. And from the few species that bite humans, did you know that only the females do so?

So when you happen to swat a mosquito on your arm or leg, you can be certain that it’s a female trying to produce some eggs with the help of your blood.

Myth #2 The more blood they suck, the bigger the welt

The size of a mosquito bite welt has nothing to do with the amount of blood drawn by a mosquito. It has to do with how your immune system responds to the skeeter’s saliva that’s been injected into your skin.

 

Myth #3 Disease-causing mosquitoes are only located in Africa and the Tropics

Majority of the news reports concerning the spread of mosquito-related diseases are on Africa and the Tropical regions.

This makes Americans believe that such diseases are only confined on these regions and can’t reach the US. This belief is false. Although the population of mosquitoes in colder countries is relatively less than those located in the south, the risk of you getting a disease from a mosquito bite is always there.

Perhaps, one of the reasons why news reports in the US don’t stress these diseases much compared to the countries in the South is that we have better ways in managing and treating them unlike in certain African, Asian, and Latin American countries.

And did you know that certain disease-causing mosquitoes now present in the US actually originated from the south particularly in Asia?

The Asian tiger mosquito which causes dengue, yellow fever, West Nile, dog heartworm, and chikungunya are thriving in the temperate, marshy, and wet southern states like Louisiana, Missouri, and Ohio, etc.

Learn about the most effective weapon in the battle against the biting bugs.

Myth #4 Mosquitoes choose who to bite

Are you pregnant? Have a sweet blood? Or, are you fond of eating certain foods like beer? Our next myth is on the notion that mosquitoes tend to become picky when it comes to their prey.

People believe that mosquitoes are more attracted to pregnant women, those with certain blood types, and those who love certain foods.

Yes, there are instances where one person is more attractive for the flying pests than others. And the explanation for this is not found on the myths above.

Experts note that mosquitoes can bite humans regardless of age, gender, blood chemistry, or food preferences.

The only thing that makes you more attractive is your body heat and the amount of carbon dioxide you emit.

So if you tend to sweat more, have a warmer body than your seatmates, or exhale more, chances are, mosquitoes can easily sense and track your location.

Pregnant women tend to produce more body heat, so this explains why they are a good target for mosquitoes.

Myth #5 Mosquitoes have 47 teeth

Mosquitoes don’t have teeth at all. The tiny hose or needle-like thing you see attached to their mouths is called the proboscis.

It’s like a pointed straw that can be used to sip blood. Instead of teeth, the tip of the proboscis has 47 sharp edges that make it easier for a mosquito to punch a hole in your skin.

Myth #6 A mosquito can explode if you flex your muscles

Perhaps, you are thinking of over-supplying a mosquito with blood to give it a taste of its own medicine and just explode.

This is false since mosquitoes have their own control as to the amount of blood they can sip. Additionally, flexing your muscles or making similar movements may just signal the mosquito to fly away.

Myth #7 Mosquitoes pee on you when they bite

After mosquitoes have filled their bellies with too much blood, they have to excrete something out of their body to still be able to escape and fly.

For the Anopheles mosquitoes, it’s actually a plasma fluid not urine. For others, they secret fluid-like waste and people just used the generic term urine for it.

Myth #8 Natural repellents are the best solution for mosquitoes

Almost everyone now is going green or finding natural and alternative solutions to the most common problems we have.

So you might think that choosing natural repellents is probably the best way to scare off mosquitoes. Not to mention the many affirmative testimonials you see on TV, right?

These repellents come in the form of extracts, essential oils, or the plant itself like citronella, lavender, peppermint, etc.

Yes, they all have their mosquito-repelling properties but based on actual studies, they are less effective than their commercial or chemical counterparts.

It’s lesser effective when you use the spray or candle-based repellents for one obvious reason; when the wind blows in a certain direction, that supposedly blanket of protection is easily distorted.

With natural repellents it’s similar to mosquito repellent plants, technically they work but there are quite a few buts and ifs.

Myth #9 The latest gadgets and devices are effective

If the natural repellents are less effective, then perhaps the latest devices like the ultrasonic sound emitter and electric traps should do the trick?

Unfortunately not. Don’t buy the ultrasonic device yet that promises to drive away and even kill mosquitoes, cockroaches, rodents, etc.

Such wonderful claims you see on TV are all just part of the marketing ploy by their sellers. There’s no solid scientific evidence yet providing these claims.

Try that ultrasonic sound emitting device and you will see the frustrating results. If you have a high resolution camera or scope, the mosquitoes might even be laughing at your new trick.

On the other hand, electric mosquito trappers and killers can be effective IF and ONLY IF you could lure the mosquitoes inside them. Remember that mosquitoes are attracted more to heat and CO2 emission than light. Bug zappers work for most people too.

However, there are gadgets that do work (depending on your skills) and provide a metric tonne of fun.  We’re talking about the Bug-A-Salt Camofly 2.0.

Myth #10 Chemical repellents are dangerous for me and my family

The thing that might be keeping you from trying the lotion and other commercial repellents is the possible risk on you especially your children’s health. Majority of commercial repellents contain the DEET or Diethyl-meta-toluamide as their main insect-repelling ingredient.
If you are buying a cheap, all-green, organic, ‘wellness-guru-approved’ repellent which wasn’t approved by the FDA or other relevant agencies, then there’s a reason for you to worry. But if you are going for the legitimate and trusted brands, there’s really nothing to worry.

DEET is relatively safe and regulatory agencies often put concentration limits which can be put into lotions and other products for human use. Of course, it could be harmful if you try to eat the repellent lotion instead of putting it into your skin.

Myth #11 Eating garlic, banana, and taking vitamins lets your body repel mosquitoes

Another common misconception is that you can actually make your body less attractive for mosquitoes by consuming certain types of foods like garlic and banana and taking vitamins primarily B-complex.

Trying to drive away these little vampires with garlic has always been part of the traditional belief.

But again, there’s no scientific evidence yet proving that the body can become a natural repellent if you eat or take garlic. If it’s effective for you, maybe the mosquitoes are just afraid of your bad garlic breath.

Another common misconception is that garlic is an effective repellent. It does have a moderate repellent effect when rubbed on the skin [93], although there are far more effective repellents available that also have a more pleasing odour. The consumption of garlic however, has not been shown to be effective at repelling mosquitoes.  Source: PubMed

B-complex on the other hand may be effective with certain skin and parasite concerns like fleas but it’s also not proven to drive away mosquitoes.

Eating bananas will not attract mosquitoes and taking vitamin B-12 will not repel them; these are old wives’ tales.

says, Jonathan Day,  professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida,  Vero Beach.

Myth #12 Bats can help you solve the mosquito problem

You might have also heard that bats eat mosquitoes so you are interested in making them your next best friend.

Skeeters are simply too small for bats to make interesting prey. This PubMed study notes:

..mosquitoes generally represent only a small proportion of bat diet.

 

The fact is that bats eat both fruits and insects. And for those insect-eating species, they really don’t like mosquitoes that much unless of course when there’s no longer anything to eat. Maybe you’ll have better chances with house lizards.

Read this post for truly effective ways to rid your yard of mosquitoes.

Myth #13 Dryer sheets are the solution

There are two ways as to how people think dryer sheets drive mosquitoes away. The first one is by simply carrying it in their pocket as an alternative repellent. For this one, it hasn’t been proven to be effective.

The second way is to use the dryer sheet to wipe all their body sweat and throw it away or place it somewhere else to trick mosquitoes and prevent them from targeting you.

This method is not recommended especially since they are not meant to be used for the body or skin. Instead of doing something good, it might just cause problems for you in the future.

Myth #14 Mosquitoes don’t cause problems in the summer or dry seasons

If you are observant enough, you may notice that mosquitoes are more active and the numbers are huge during the wet or rainy seasons.

But this doesn’t mean that there won’t be mosquito problems during droughts or dry conditions.

There’s a greater tendency for them to breed and live in stagnant and highly concentrated water. As the water gets more concentrated, it’s getting dirtier meaning the chances for a mosquito to bring viruses and diseases could even be higher.

What’s more

Also, according to Snopes, Listerine and lemon dish soap do not repel skeeters (#15, #16). What isn’t a myth but a cold hard fact is the following,

The more often you get bitten by a particular mosquito species, the less you are likely to react to that species over time (less itch, smaller welts, welts that disappear sooner)

The bad news? There are more than 3,000 species worldwide.

Which mosquito myth do you know?

Drop a comment below.

It’s the first nice day of the season. You’re sitting down for a meal outside with the family.

Suddenly that annoying buzzing around your ears. Then, a pin prick. Your hand swats wildly *SMACK*, but nope. The skeeter beat you. You look down and there it is: a giant, red, itchy welt.

The fresh joy of being outside basking in the Spring sun just became tainted. It’s mosquito season.

There´s something else this incident informs you about.

You are too late.

Late with taking precautions. Preparing your yard to reduce mosquito infestation.

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin already said it, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Which certainly goes for those vicious bloodsucking gits.

You have heard about Mosquito Bits and Dunks before. While scratching your welt you wonder,

Do they work?

This is a legit question. If you have a really large yard you will be spending about 30 bucks a month so it better be worth it and work. Of course, for medium or small sized yards costs are much lower.

Does this larvicide really have to ability to kill mosquito larvae?

To keep it plain and simple, yes, Bits and Dunks really work.

EPA has this to say:

“Killing mosquito larvae with microbial larvicides before they emerge as adults can reduce or eliminate the need for ground or aerial application of pesticides to kill adult mosquitoes.

It should be noted that how long and well they work depends mainly on “the mosquito species, the environmental conditions, the formulation of the product, and water quality”.

What exactly are mosquito dunks and bits?

Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito Bits are made from naturally occurring soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis strain israelensis (for the rest of us: Bti).

They are one of the most effective products on the market today.

You may be familiar with Bt products as a common form of pest control originating in the early 1900s. Bt biocontrol products are often used on agricultural and garden pests, such as

• Btk on caterpillars and
• Btt on beetles.
• Bti is simply a different strain of Bt that only affects mosquitoes and black flies. (it’s very specific in its larvicidal activity)

Since Bti occurs naturally in the environment, it is considered an all-natural biological control product. Dunks and bits are produced by harvesting Bti from soil, then inactivating the bacteria with enzymes.

The inactivated bacteria is added to fillers and packed neatly into dry briquettes or pellets. By the time it is sold to the consumer, it is no longer a living bacteria, however it is still just as effective in killing mosquito larvae.

How do they work?

When eaten by a mosquito larvae, “toxic crystals” form which travel to the stomach and enter the stomach cells. The crystals cause the stomach cells to explode, forcing the mosquito larva to stop feeding until it starves to death.

It can take several days for all of the mosquito larvae to die, so if you see no immediate results, don’t be alarmed.

Don’t fret if there still appear mosquitoes upon treatment

Older mosquito larvae tend to stop eating as they approach the next life stage, therefore Bti may not be as effective on older larvae and some adult mosquitoes may emerge after the initial Bti treatment.

Bti vs Bs – Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis vs Bacillus sphaericus

A similar product to Bti is Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) which is another bacterial biological control product.

The difference between Bti and Bs is that Bti products contain dead bacteria, whereas Bs products contain live bacteria.

Bs downsides:

• Bs may not be as effective on certain species of mosquitoes.
• Another disadvantage, there has been some recent concern about Bs insecticide resistance in populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Studies indicate it appears to be less effective in killing the Aedes species

Most mosquito control products purchased by homeowners contain Bti, however Bs is an additional mosquito control option.

Dunks vs. Bits, when to use which?

Bti products come in several formulations, including donuts and briquettes (collectively known as dunks), and granules or pellets (bits).

Main difference:

• Dunks last longer. They dissolve slowly and have a time-release feature.
  
• Bits work more work quickly. Need to be applied more often but offer quick results.
  

Mosquito Dunks

Dunks contain slow-release formulas, meaning they will last approximately 30 days in the water.

Dunks float on top of the water, and as the mosquito larvae naturally feed, the Bti is consumed.

• These are useful in open bodies of water such as vacant pools, and can be broken up to treat smaller surface areas.

Mosquito Bits

Bits are, in Bti coated, corn cob granules. Bits are a quick-release formula, and therefore only last approximately 7-14 days based on the formulation.

Unlike dunks, bits will sink to the bottom of the water once waterlogged.

• Bit formulations are more useful for smaller, hard to reach locations such as tree holes, or large bodies of standing water, such as flooded crop fields and marshes.

• In areas with aquatic vegetation, such as water gardens, marshes, or flooded orchards, the bit formulation may be more useful since their smaller size can penetrate in between and underneath vegetation.

• In addition, they can be dispersed more evenly in water with little movement. They can also be added to dry ground if large amounts of rain are expected and the area doesn’t drain well.

• However UV sunlight will degrade Bti quickly, so leaving them exposed to sunlight for periods of time will decrease their effectiveness.

• When using bits in ponds, it is important to remember that fish and turtles love to consume anything pellet-like, including your mosquito bits.

While bits are completely safe for wildlife, eaten bits mean less Bti for the mosquitoes to consume. There is another product called mosquito plunks which are simply bits packed into a water soluble bag.

Update: “The Mosquito Beater WSP (formerly Plunks) is a water soluble packet containing BTI granules, essentially identical to Mosquito Bits”.

The bag prevents munching from pond inhabitants, but should be tied down as bags tend to float around, sometimes causing uneven dispersal of the Bti. Alternately, you can make your own Plunks/ Mosquito Beaters by adding Bits to a stocking.

Are Mosquito Bits & Dunks Safe?

The best part about Bti products (aside from no mosquitoes, of course) is their environmental safety. They are deemed organic by the USEPA.

The Bti bacteria affect mosquitoes and black flies only, both of which are vicious biters.

When used properly, these products are safe to use around homes with children, pets, and wildlife. They can safely be used in fish ponds and horse troughs. They are even safe for other beneficial critters such as honey bees, dragonflies, and tadpoles.

We get it, you can’t be careful enough. Therefore we have consulted experts for their opinion on specific safety issues. Here are the most common FAQ;

• Q: Do mosquito bits / dunks kill tadpoles?
• A: No they will not hurt tadpoles. The Bt in mosquito dunks and bits kills mosquitoes and a few related insects only.

• Q: Do mosquito bits / dunks  kill fungus gnats?
• A: Recent government requirements for reporting info on insecticides by manufacturers conclude that BTi affects mosquito larva, fungus gnat larva and blackfly larva. It may have an effect on daphne but numbers are too low to be included in the data.

• Q: Do mosquito bits / dunks kill dragonflies?
• A: There are no indications dragonfly larvae are affected.

• Q: Do mosquito bits / dunks harm bees?
• A: Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Israelensis strain EG2215 does not harm bees. It is designed to kill mosquitoes and a limited amount of  related, aquatic insects only. These include fly larvae and midges.

• What if my cat or dog eats from the Bits or Dunks? Does that harm them?
• No, according to the manufacturers they are completely harmless, “If an animal eats a Mosquito Dunk or drinks water treated with a Mosquito Dunk, it essentially gets a large dose of protein and calcium.” 

Keep an eye out though because your dog may like to eat them, rendering your pest-control efforts fruitless. Crumble the Bti product well or place it out of reach of pets, squirrels and raccoons.

Also important, Bti is harmless to mosquito predators too.

Concluding: The only ones who aren’t safe are the mosquito larvae and you if you don’t take action and use Bti to control the pest around your living area.

Note: Although the israelensis strain anti pest activity is  very limited,  certain types of non-biting midges, which serve as food for fish and wildlife,  may be affected.

How long do they work?

Many Bti products last up to 30 days in the water, but always read the label to determine when to re-treat.

As mentioned previously, fish and turtles love to eat anything shaped like a pellet, so if using bits in ponds, be sure to secure the bits in a water-permeable stocking or purchase mosquito plunks.

Mosquito Bits and Dunks Reviews

“We live among muddy and constantly swampy areas and Mosquito Bits worked like a charm. We broadcasted the product in still water and over the mud (we found the dunks too compacted to work).  Because it’s easier to cover large areas, Bits turned out far less expensive to use.”

“Dunks are a lifesaver, we have almost no mosquitoes and it’s completely safe for our lily and fish pond. Our fish, butterflies, dragonflies, turtles, and frogs flourish and we can enjoy them without the flying pests”

“Tossed it in and the day after I could skim off all the dead larvae.”

How to use Mosquito Bits and Dunks

In order to optimize mosquito prevention, we must first understand the mosquito life cycle.

Mosquitoes start their life in water, which begins when a female lays her eggs on the water. The eggs hatch into mosquito larvae, which feed and grow for several days.

At the end of the larval stage, mosquitoes pupate (much like a butterfly) before they hatch and fly away as the annoying needles with wings.

Different types of mosquitoes prefer different water conditions, but those that live and bite around homes usually prefer small amounts of stinky, stagnant water.

• Some of the most common skeeter breeding habitats are unfiltered bird baths, clogged gutters, flower pot saucers, French drains, wheelbarrows, etc.

Most breeding spots can be remedied by simply dumping out water once a week, however sometimes conditions ask for more thorough measures in the form of “biological control”.

If it holds water, it will breed mosquitoes.

 

Where to use Bits and Dunks

Certain spots such as bird baths or the rain barrel are obvious. Pay special attention to the following areas:

• Muddy areas after rain. Anywhere that gets mushy or swampy. In deeper garden beds, in some areas of soil that don’t drain as quickly in the yard/garden.

• Water gardens, flower pots, old automobile tires, rain gutters, decorative ponds, ditches, roof gutters, drainage gulley, Koi ponds, hydroponic systems, animal water troughs,  livestock water, rain barrels.

• Under hostas, earth boxes, in tree holes, evergreens, in ivy, pachysandra, in the patio drain, by the fence line.

• Generally, mosquitoes tend to breed under wet, shady tree and foliage areas. They may even be located near mosquito repelling plants.

• Shady areas, depressions in the grass, tree stumps and tree crotches, grass, mulch, planters or garden tools and wherever else water accumulates.

• Make sure to use them indoors as well (if necessary). Treat flower vases, flooded basements, building foundations, indoor fountains and other areas as well. Mosquitoes will breed there just as happily.

Tip: If you use Bits, using a canister with a shake top lets you walk around the premises while the canister bangs against your leg spreading the stuff effortlessly.

“Our neighbors moved out but didn’t empty their pool. Mosquito mayhem in the backyard was the result the following weeks. We threw a few dunks over the fence into the pool. This helped diminish the skeeter plague within a few weeks.”

Quick and dirty tips for successful use

The war on the flying bugs requires the scorched earth strategy. Or the mosquito version actually. Leave no area untreated, give them no chance to breed nor hatch.

• 1. Start treating in time. Larvae start growing early so depending on where you live, start using the dunks in April, early March or even February

If you know rain is expected, or you know of areas that consistently hold water, apply Bti before mosquitoes become a problem.

No mosquito larvae = no mosquito bites (or at least much less). Treatment before or just after eggs are laid will yield the most success.

• 2. Reapply as needed. Dunks last approximately 30 days, but bits only last 7-14 days. Reapplying at correct intervals will ensure no mosquitoes develop in between applications.

• 3. Apply according to label instructions. One dunk will treat approximately 3 square meters of surface area (about the size of a hot tub), but bits will be applied differently depending on the environment. It is important to treat enough so that mosquitoes don’t develop, but over-treating can be a waste of resources and money.

• 4. Think outside the box. Birdbaths, vacant pools, and gutters are all obvious mosquito breeding habitats. However, there may be a frisbee hidden under a bush, a broken sprinkler head hidden in the garden, or a low lying area underneath your flower beds. Make sure to examine your environment with a fine tooth comb and treat every possible breeding location. Mosquitoes will lay eggs in as little as 1 tablespoon of water.

• 5. Involve your neighbors. Your yard can be as dry as the desert, but if your neighbor is breeding mosquitoes, you are still on the dinner menu. Share your new found mosquito knowledge with your neighbors, or group together and purchase in bulk so everyone can treat. (you could buy some extra and give it to you direct neigbors, they may or may not use it and even reimburse you but chances are you will enhance mosquito control in near your home).

“Doesn’t kill flying mosquitoes. Adults still come flying in (although less). Would be great if the whole neighborhood used this.”

Treating with dunks and bits is only one step in personal mosquito protection. For the best results, follow the 4D’s of mosquito prevention:

• Drain standing water,
• Dress in long sleeves and pants to prevent skin exposure, and
• Defend yourself with an EPA-approved mosquito repellent.
• Destroy the pesky bugs, their larvae, and their breeding grounds

Typical measures to protect against mosquitoes include nets, traps, personal repellents, fogging, and so fort. Especially since Bits and Dunks do not kill adult skeeters.

Mosquito dunks and bits, however, are an integral part of such a multi-modal approach.

How much Bits, Dunks, or Plunks do I need?

Plunks

Just like Dunks, Plunks need to be replaced every 2 weeks. Add one Plunk per 50 square feet of water surface.

Dunks

You will need about 1 Dunk for every 100 square feet. To spread them evenly and thus maximize their effect, throw Dunks 10 feet from each other.

Break Dunks up for smaller areas. The manufacturer recommends:

• 1/4 Dunk – up to 5 square feet of water
• 1/2 Dunk – 5 to 25 square feet
• 1 Dunk – 25 to 100 square feet

Tip: Buy in bulk. Twenty packs are much cheaper per unit than two-packs. They stay effective for at least 8 years to come so the next few mosquito seasons you are well-prepared.

Bits

• One teaspoon of Bits is recommended for every 25 square feet.
• Or use one tablespoon for every 75 square feet.
• Use a half cup for every 600 square feet.

Bits are available in 8 ounce and 30 ounce packages.

• The 8-ounce container is good for roughly 2,178 square feet (contains about 87 teaspoons or 29 tablespoons).
• The 30-ounce container has enough bits for over 8000 square feet (contains over 300 teaspoons or 100 tablespoons).

The same principle goes here, larger packages are much cheaper. The 30 ounce package will save you about half the costs.

Which brand to choose?

Several brands exist, however a couple of the most popular brands are Mosquito Dunks® and Mosquito Bits® by Summit Chemical.

Other brands are Plunks,  Gnatrol, Vactimos, Bonide’s Mosquito Beater WSP (Water Soluble Pouch).

Some liquid ready-to-use formulations are now also on the market, such as:

• Liquid BMC. Vectobac is a liquid formulation commonly used in commercial mosquito control operations.
• Microbe-Lift BMC (Biological Mosquito Control) is another liquid formula.

Liquid products may require dilution and a sprayer, which makes them not generally recommended for homeowner use.

Microbe Lift BMC is an exception though. This product is very easily applicable.

“I swear by Microbe Lift BMC. I use the measuring cup for large bodies of water and an eyedropper for the birdbath, the dog’s wading pool and so on. “

“Liquid Bti is discrete since it doesn’t show. Dunks and Bits ruin my view, floating in the pool and ornamental water garden. Great for puddles and ditches but when esthetics are important, I use Lift BMC”

No matter what formulation you choose, it is important to remember that all treatment options should be registered and approved by the EPA. Using a non-EPA approved product carries the risk of hurting the environment and the user.

Labels will always tell you what your active ingredient is (look for Bti), how much to use, how to properly apply, and when to re-treat the area.

Plunks reviews

“Basically Dunks in a pouch. Work quickly in killing larvae but don’t last as long as Dunks. Plunks are pre-measured in a dissolvable pouch you just throw in the middle of the pond”

“Great stuff, highly recommended. There’s no annoying scent, no nasty fog, no buzzing UV light traps with heaps of dead insects, just toss them in the water and you’re set for two weeks.”

Where to buy?

Now you may be thinking, “These sound great, but where do I buy some?” You are right, they are effective means to control a mosquito problem and you should get some.

Bti products are available at most big box stores and online.

• You can buy dunks in small 2-packs, or purchase them wholesale with up to 20 dunks per pack. Or order them online. Get a Summit 20 pack Mosquito Dunks to cover 2000 square feet.

• Likewise, bits can be bought in small shaker canisters, or in 90 ounce packages. The 30, 60 and 90 ounce Mosquito Bits cannisters are the most popular option on Amazon.

By using these mosquito control products as instructed and regularly you will be able to reduce the nuisance and protect your health.

You may still have to use DEET or a bug zapper for complete safety but Bits, Dunks, Plunks and Microbe Lift BMC go a long way in taking back your yard.

Happy mosquito hunting!

 

Source: Williamson County and Cities Health District.

First reports of the West Nile virus rearing its ugly head in the U.S. were in 1999. In New York 62 contaminations and 7 deaths were confirmed.

Since then the virus has caused hundreds of deaths. The CDC not only reports thousands of cases of West Nile virus throughout the US but also Dengue Fever is taking its toll. Malaria outbreaks are still scarce in the US but the mosquito is wreaking havoc as it is.

In 2008 alone, the CDC reported 1,356 cases of West Nile throughout the U.S. and 44 deaths. In 2009 and 2010, outbreaks of dengue fever were reported in the U.S.

What exactly is West Nile Virus?

West Nile Virus is caused in humans by being bitten by an infected mosquito and symptoms can range from being completely non-existent, to cold and flu like, to brain inflammation and death.

It’s been seen in Europe, Africa, Australia and West Asia and made its first appearance in the US in 1999 and infection rates are steadily spreading.

It affects animals as well as humans, and so farmers need to take preventative steps for not only themselves and their family, but their livestock too.

It’s important to be armed with the knowledge of what West Nile Virus is, the symptoms, how to treat it and how to prevent it.

West Nile Virus in the US

The CDC estimates that over 3 million people in the US have been infected by the West Nile Virus, although most of them wouldn’t have even known, as the majority of cases don’t exhibit any symptoms.

The virus was first discovered in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937 made its first appearance in the US when it appeared in the state of New York in 1999, likely carried by an infected mosquito that found its way onto a plane or cargo ship.

In 2014 over two thousand cases of West Nile virus were reported to the CDC, with human infections being reported in forty seven states, with eighty four fatalities.

While this is not as serious as infection rates in some previous years, with over nine thousand cases being reported in 2003 and a huge two hundred and sixty four fatalities, the virus is still highly infectious and prevention and understanding of the West Nile Virus are crucial.

How weather and climate increase your risks

While the CDC is not necessarily noticing an increase in cases over the last few years, outbreaks of West Nile Virus in the US are heavily dependent on the weather and climate each year.

A milder winter will often mean a more severe outbreak in the summer. Regions with weather conditions that a little kinder to mosquitoes tend to have more severe outbreaks, with Dallas being the city that has historically been hit the hardest by West Nile Virus.

Transmission: how do you get infected?

So far, the only known way to contract West Nile Virus for both humans and livestock is to be bitten by an infected mosquito.

No human-to-human, livestock-to-human, or human-to-livestock transmissions have been reported to date.

West Nile Virus Symptoms

Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus, an estimated 70-80% won’t even know that they have it, and experience no symptoms at all.

• Around 20% of infected people may be experience ‘West Nile Fever’ which is characterized by cold and flu like symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash.

 

While most people with West Nile Fever will recover in a week or so they may remain fatigued and weakened for as long as several months.

Less than 1% of people will experience severe neurological symptoms, known as West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease. 20% of these severe cases result in death.

Symptoms of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease include:

• Encephalitis(a rare and acute brain infection) is the most common symptom of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease and is characterized by fever, headaches, altered mental status, paralysis and muscle weakness

• Meningitis ( inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain ) which is normally diagnosed when the patient is experiencing a fever, headache and stiff neck and is characterized by the swelling of membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

• Poliomyelitis, (polio-like syndrome) characterized by sudden asymmetrical paralysis, weakness or loss of sensation.

• Severe non-neurological symptoms of West Nile Virus which are again, present in less than 1% of cases, can include kidney disease, hepatitis, cardiac dysrhythmia, pancreatitis and myocarditis.

 

While it’s important not to panic and remember that most cases of West Nile Virus go completely unnoticed with no symptoms at that the mortality rate for West Nile Virus is far less than 1%, if you or anyone in your household is experiencing severe symptoms, it’s important to seek medical help.

Treatment

In most cases where West Nile Virus is exhibiting minor symptoms (rash, headaches, etc) in an infected person, over-the-counter painkillers and bed rest are sufficient treatments.

In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized in order to receive some treatments and so that their condition can continue to be monitored.

How to prevent getting infected

No vaccine or specific anti-viral treatments exist for humans at this stage, although several have been developed for horses. It’s unlikely that a vaccine will be developed in the near future, as outbreaks are hard to predict and testing the vaccine would be difficult and definitely not cost-effective.

If a person has been infected once, even unknowingly, it’s believed that they’ll be immune from later infection.

While there is a test to see if you are immune to West Nile Virus, it’s very unreliable, so unless you are positive you’ve had West Nile Virus before, it’s best to assume you’re not protected and to take preventative measures.

These include:

• Apply insect repellent and if wearing sunscreen as well, be sure to apply the repellent after the sunscreen.
• To protect infants, use a carrier draped with mosquito netting
• Wear long sleeves and pants when possible and spray insect repellent over the top of clothes.
• Use insecticides around and inside your property when possible. If it’s not possible to keep mosquitos out of your home, drape mosquito netting over your bed at night. Despite abundant reviews praising natural repellents, DEET is still the most efficient, and thus your safest option. Picaridin is a good second repellent.  Be cautious with ‘DEET-free’ products.
• Make your yard less attractive to mosquitoes. You spend most time at home. Especially if your yard is a breeding ground you will be overrun by the sickness causing bugs.
• Stay informed, be on the lookout for new prevention methods, keep informed about outbreaks.

 

Sources

Mayoclinic, West Nile Definition.
Pennsylvania’s West Nile Control Program.
NPR West Nile on the Rise.