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Everything You Need to Know About Mosquito Bites

There is no question that mosquitoes are pests. On top of inflicting humans and pets with itchy and uncomfortable bites, mosquitoes are also responsible for spreading serious illnesses such as dengue fever, malaria, and Zika virus which many experts have declared to be a global emergency.

Spring is almost here, but unfortunately, that means mosquitoes will start to emerge, searching for their next feast.

You might be wondering:

  • Why mosquitoes bite
  • What mosquito bites look like
  • How you can prevent mosquito bites

 

 
 

The mosquito experts at Mr. Mister are here to answer your questions:

 

Why do mosquitoes bite?

While not many are aware of this fact, only female mosquitoes bite. This is because male mosquitoes do not rely on human blood for development and feed only on the nectar of flowers.

Female mosquitoes bite to engorge themselves on a concoction consisting of blood. Why?

Well, our blood is rich in protein and other compounds, of which female mosquitoes require in order to help produce and develop their larvae and eggs.

What happens when a mosquito bites?

When a mosquito chooses to bite you, it releases its saliva into the wound itself.

Mosquito saliva contains an anticoagulant that helps the blood to flow more easily while also ensuring the host is unaware of this activity, allowing the mosquito to feed without interruption.

How many times can a mosquito bite?

Unfortunately, there is no limit to the number of times a mosquito can bite you.

A female mosquito will continue to feed on blood until it is full. After these pests have consumed enough blood, the mosquito will rest for a few days (usually between 2-3) before laying its eggs. Once this has been done, the mosquito is ready to bite again.

What do mosquito bites look like?

Just like most insect bites, mosquito bites appear in the form of red, swollen bumps. With that said, this can vary as different people will react to mosquito bites in different ways.

While mosquito bites do share a few similarities in their appearance with other insect bites, there are some significant differences that can help you identify them.

For instance, mosquito bites can appear anywhere on your body, and typically show up in areas where the skin is exposed, such as your legs and arms.

Mosquito bite swelling

Mosquito bites swell due to the fact that the body is suffering from a mild allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva.

In order to combat the anti-coagulant delivered by the female mosquito, the body will release a histamine to fight it. The area around the bite becomes inflamed, as a result.

Why do mosquito bites itch?

Just like the swelling, the itchiness you receive from a mosquito bite is due to the body’s reaction to the mosquito’s saliva.

As the blood vessels surrounding the bitten area begin to swell, they force the nerves to become irritated, which results in the bite becoming itchy.
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Mr. Mister offers Atlanta residents innovative and effective techniques for controlling mosquitoes in their yards. With methods like ClearZone — which is a mosquito misting service that sends a professional to your yard on a consistent basis for treatment — and their automatic misting systems. Visit their website for more information.
 

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