Mosquitoes

INFORMATION

Mosquito bites cause itching and irritation. Scratching may result in infected sores. Mosquitoes also transmit serious and sometimes fatal diseases to humans and their pets. Diseases - Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain that can be caused by viruses. The symptoms of encephalitis can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms include rapid onset of severe headaches, high fever, and mental disturbances such as confusion, irritability, tremors, stupor and coma. Severe cases sometimes end in death or with survivors suffering permanent loss of limb function, reduction of intelligence and/or emotional instability.

Not all types of encephalitis viruses are carried by mosquitoes. However, mosquitoes carry at least two types of encephalitis viruses that causes the human disease in Illinois. La Crosse (California) encephalitis is normally an infection of squirrels and chipmunks; in humans it affects mainly children. St. Louis encephalitis is an infection of wild birds; in humans it affects mainly older adults.

Mosquitoes can also infect dogs with heartworm. The worms live in the heart and can severely weaken or kill the dog. Although difficult to treat, this disease is easily prevented by medication that can be prescribed by your veterinarian.

Prevent Mosquitoes from Breeding Around the Home Mosquito larvae or "wrigglers" must live in still water for five or more days to complete their growth before changing into adult biting mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease. Often, the number of mosquitoes in an area can be reduced by removing sources of standing water. Hundreds of mosquitoes can come from a single discarded tire.

APPEARANCE
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Varies depending on type; over 3000 species of mosquitoes are known today.

MOSQUITO CONTROL

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