Summer is the ultimate season for long days, warm weather, and barbeques on the back patio. But hey, who invited those pesky mosquitoes to the party?
Actually, you did through no fault of your own. Humans are simply irresistible for those stealthy and unwelcome intruders. However, besides leaving itchy, red bumps on your skin, what do you know about these uninvited annoyances? Here are some interesting facts about mosquitoes (we won’t call them fun!)
1. Only the Female Mosquitoes Bite
There are around 3,500 species of these tiny bloodsuckers found in almost every part of the world, but not all mosquitoes view you as a delicious meal. The male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar and sap, but only the females need your blood to reproduce.
They bite to feed on your blood because the protein and other nutrients provide them with a tasty and healthy meal necessary to lay and develop eggs.
2. Prefer Darker Colors
Black may be a slimming color, but if you want to avoid mosquitoes, choose light-colored clothing.
3. Might Like You Best
If you’re constantly being stung and everyone else around you isn’t, it’s because your body chemistry is more attractive than others. Chemicals like carbon dioxide in breath and lactic acid in sweat attract mosquitoes.
4. Mosquitoes Love a Full Moon
Werewolves, zombies, and mosquitoes? We blame the full moon for many strange things, whether real or not. Zombies have not yet been observed by scientists, but mosquitoes have. They discovered that the full moon can increase mosquito activity by 500 percent.
5. Deadliest Animal in the World
When someone mentions the phrase “deadliest animal in the world,” they likely think of sharks, tigers, crocodiles, and other wild creatures. It might be shocking to learn that mosquitoes actually hold this title because of the harmful diseases they can spread. Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading several dangerous diseases such as malaria, zika, and dengue fever, to name a few. It’s believed that these tiny pests are responsible for around 1 million deaths each year as a result.
6. Mosquitoes Would Be Terrible at the Olympics
No, not the Summer Olympics but the hypothetical Insect Olympics. Compared to other insects like flies and wasps, mosquitoes aren’t the strongest fliers and are pretty slow. It’s estimated that these biting insects can only fly at speeds less than one mile per hour, so don’t expect them to break Usain Bolt’s world record anytime soon (or even outpace your grandma.)
7. Don’t Just Bite People
Would you believe not every mosquito craves human blood? Some species prefer to consume their Friday evening cocktails from other animals such as frogs and birds.
8. Big Fans of Dirty Dancing
It’s true. Mosquitoes boogie down. In fact, they have their very own dance. Research shows that before reproducing, they perform a type of dance where they flap their wings to create a kind of mating communication.
9. Don’t Live Long
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about a mosquito becoming the bane of your existence and causing itchy bites for ages. These biting insects have a very short lifespan. It’s estimated that female mosquitoes live less than two months. The life expectancy of the male is even lower, around ten days!
If you have any concerns about mosquitoes bugging you this summer, contact the experts at Bug Out Pest Control today! You can also call us at 317-777-5005 to ask about our other services like honey bee rescue and termite control.
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