Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, West Nile virus and the Zika virus, are responsible for countless illnesses and deaths each year. ...
Earlier this month, health officials reported a Hidalgo County, Texas resident suffered a Zika infection after being bitten by a mosquito. ...
Since the 1950s, Florida counties have been conducting aerial and ground mosquito control sprays to target communities where high...
MosquitoMate, a biotech company out of Lexington, KY, has discovered a new way to combat mosquito-borne illnesses such as the Zika virus, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Rather than using genetic engineering, MosquitoMate creates “killer mosquitoes” by infecting lab-grown male mosquitoes with Wolbachia, a common bacterium found in many species of insects. The bacterium does not affect humans or animals and since male mosquitoes do not bite, the killer mosquitoes only pose a threat to other mosquitoes, specifically the female mosquito population carrying infectious diseases. How Does it Work? Once infecting the lab-grown mosquitoes with the bacteria, they will be released in hopes of mating with female Asian tiger mosquitoes, which do bite and are known for being most active at dawn and dusk, as well as during daylight hours. The bacterium from the lab-grown male mosquitoes, which the company has named ZAP mosquitoes, affects the eggs of the female mosquito by...
Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas with extensive rain and flooding that damaged many homes and businesses. With residents working to get their lives back on track, there’s a new danger that health officials are warning people about...
People try everything to get rid of annoying, biting and potentially dangerous mosquitoes. One idea that is getting some buzz lately is utilizing technological advances to deter mosquitoes. Ultrasonic mosquito repellent in the form of an easy-to-download smartphone app seems to be the 21st century’s answer to safely keeping mosquitoes away. Unfortunately, it is not quite that simple. Researchers have yet to find substantial evidence to support the claims of many companies that their devices are true ultrasonic mosquito repellents. Below, we explain the most recent findings and conclusions on the effectiveness of ultrasonic mosquito repellents and whether or not you should start downloading these apps. The Theories Behind Ultrasonic Mosquito Repellent In the marketplace, companies promote their ultrasonic mosquito repellents based on different ideas of how to keep mosquitoes away. These apps and devices emit a sound that only mosquitoes can hear. With the exception of some small children, pets and...
The Zika Virus has been a top concern in the U.S. when it comes to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses. Consequently, concerns of transmitting West Nile Virus have somewhat faded away in recent years. However, West Nile may be on the rise again with multiple cases showing up in 2017....
When it comes to the Zika virus, the scariest aspect of the disease is what we still do not know. Since the virus was first discovered in the 1940s, researchers have been uncovering its devastating effects on the brains of developing children and fetuses. In recent years, the Zika virus has drastically expanded into the Americas, and now new studies are showing its potential neurological effects on adults. Below, we dive into what we now know about this mosquito-borne disease, and how to best protect yourself and your loved ones. Zika’s Biggest Known Threats Typically, Zika virus symptoms are fairly mild and resemble those of the common cold, so the infection can go unnoticed. Zika poses the biggest threat to pregnant women, as it causes birth defects and pregnancy problems such as microcephaly, where an infant’s head is underdeveloped. Many Zika infected pregnancies have resulted in severe microcephaly where the skull has...
Many people get excited for fall because of cooler temperatures and colorful foliage. However, the change in season also tends to bring a change in insect habits. Don’t let fall insects bring you down this season. ...
Now that we are midway through the summer, mosquito season is in full swing. Protecting yourself and your loved ones from pesky and potentially harmful mosquitoes requires you to take action on several fronts. Below, we break down how you can attain the ultimate mosquito protection this summer. Tackle Mosquito Protection on the Home Front Don’t let bugs burden you this summer or prevent you from enjoying fun outdoor events. There are many housekeeping tactics that you can implement to help safeguard your home and outdoor space from annoying biting insects. To achieve the ultimate mosquito protection at home, follow our tips below. Clean out gutters of all leaves and other debris. Clogged gutters collect water and act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Remove this attraction to deter mosquitos from your property. Maintain your lawn and shrubbery so that mosquitoes don’t try and make those shaded areas their home. Try to...