It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare a camping trip. From buying all of the food to reserving your camping site and planning activities, a lot of work is put into making sure your camping trip goes off without a hitch....
What’s the Buzz about Shazam for Mosquitoes? Scientists and researchers know that in order to fight mosquito-borne diseases, you need to know which species of mosquitoes are in certain areas. Until now, the only way to identify mosquitoes has been to set traps and study them under microscopes, which can be very time consuming and labor intensive. Named after the “Shazam” app that recognizes music, students from Stanford University have created “Shazam for Mosquitoes,” an app that will be able to identify different species of mosquitoes. The app claims that most common cell phones have the recording capabilities necessary to accurately identify mosquitoes, and knowing the species will determine whether or not it may be carrying a disease. How Does Shazam for Mosquitoes Work? A mosquito’s buzz and pitch is responsible for revealing its identity. Each species of mosquito has a unique buzz that comes from its wing beat. By recording the mosquito...
You probably enjoyed a warmer-than-normal winter, but unfortunately, so did mosquitoes and other insects. Even with the occasional cold snaps that occurred, experts are basing their predictions of more mosquitoes this summer on irregular winter patterns that most of the U.S. experienced....
Flowers are beginning to bloom and temperatures are more pleasant each day, signaling that spring is officially upon us. However these April showers will bring more than just the beautiful flowers....
You may have heard someone jokingly mention mosquito season in passing, but in many areas of the U.S., this is no longer a laughing matter....
The most recent mosquito-borne virus outbreak in the Americas, the Zika virus, has shed new light on an already lengthy list of harmful and debilitating diseases that mosquitoes can carry. North and South America have been greatly impacted from Zika, dengue, chikungunya, West Nile and other infections. Here are four reasons why there are so many mosquito-borne virus outbreaks in the Americas. Surplus of Mosquito Breeds There are 862 mosquito species in South America, 462 in Central America and 192 in North America. Then the thousands of species of birds and mammals also present a huge opportunity for mosquitoes because they can host the viruses. The Americas have mosquito breeds Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are the main culprits for the spread of Zika and other viruses. Urbanization Creates Prime Breeding Grounds In the Americas, there are many underdeveloped urban areas that host the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, such as stagnant water...
Zika May Spread from the Aedes Species to 35 More We often worry about the Zika virus spreading among the human population, but have you thought about it spreading to include more species of mosquitoes? Most scientists and researchers allocate the spread of the Zika virus to two particular species of mosquitoes: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. According to a recent forecasting model and mathematical analysis done by the researchers at the University of Georgia, the virus could spread to as many as 35 species. Of the 35 species that may be able to transmit the virus, seven are currently found in the United States. Background of the Aedes Species The Aedes species is known for currently transmitting not only the Zika virus, but also dengue fever, yellow fever, West Nile virus, Chikungunya and eastern equine encephalitis. The species was originally found in tropical and subtropical areas because of their warm and wet...
Spring has sprung! Unfortunately, along with the beautiful weather, spring means we have to be on the defense against mosquitoes. We try to avoid these blood suckers the best we can, but sometimes mosquito bites are inevitable....
As the summer months approach, we are all in anticipation of getting outside in the warm temperatures. However, pet owners know that along with great weather we also have to deal with fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other insects....
If you’re looking for ways to keep bugs away while you’re outdoors, then consider trying this simple DIY citronella candle craft! These will not only keep those pesky bugs away, but they also make great table centerpieces for cookouts, picnics and other outdoor functions. ...