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How Mosquitoes Spread Disease – Under the Microscope Mosquitoes are not simply just a nuisance; they also can carry and transmit infectious diseases that are harmful to our health. The Zika virus, dengue fever and Chikungunya are just a few of the most well-known diseases that mosquitoes can carry. Mosquito-borne illnesses are a constant threat and are putting our population at risk for outbreaks. Scientists and researchers are using mathematical models to better understand how mosquitoes spread diseases, and to calculate the risk of infectious outbreaks in various climates and environments. The Facts According to research professionals, mathematical models can help them understand how mosquitoes spread diseases by gaining a thorough understanding of how mosquito development, survival and behavior are influenced by different environmental variables. Once mosquitoes are hatched, males usually survive less than one week, while female mosquitoes can live up to a couple of months in ideal conditions. For females, they...

NET effect is an insect repellent like no other. While most repellents consist of bulky aerosol cans that seem to spray everywhere except where you want them to, we provide a pleasant alternative to the messy and pore-clogging repellents with which you're familiar. NET effect comes in a convenient roll-on applicator that drastically improves the experience of applying insect repellent. To make matters even better, our roll-on repellent is now available at convenient stores all across Florida! No longer do you have to settle on the usual spray repellents that are wasteful and a nuisance to apply. Now, when stocking up on repellent at your local corner store, you can purchase NET effect! Why NET effect? If you haven’t yet experienced the powerful protection against mosquitoes and other harmful insects that our repellent provides, here are some reasons why you should! It’s Safer Since our repellent comes in a roll-on applicator, it is safer...

Zap! Snap! Pop! - Do Bug Zappers Really Work? Some mosquito repellents smell bad, are sticky or are just plain ineffective. You may be left wondering, “do bug zappers really work?” While bug zappers are claimed to bring relief from swarms of insects, they may not be everything they’re hyped up to be. Let’s take a look at how bug zappers function and if they really are effective or just likely to fizzle out. How Bug Zappers are Supposed to Work Bug zappers work primarily with the use of electricity. A metal grid is electrified with a current strong enough to kill insects. Insects come into contact with the metal grid in one of two primary ways. The hanging “lantern” zapper – these are usually those mysterious purple zappers you see hanging on front porches. The cage, or “housing,” is composed of plastic or grounded metal to prevent electrocution – yikes! Behind the...

It’s that time of the year again, spring cleaning! As daunting a chore spring cleaning may seem, it is absolutely essential to prepare your yard for mosquito season. In fact, a thorough spring cleaning is your ticket to keeping mosquitoes and other bugs away from your house this summer. Let’s dives into what spring cleaning you can do now to save your summer from mosquitoes. Scout Out Entry Points Cracks, gaps, screens and other vulnerable areas are opportunities for pests to welcome themselves into your home. Make sure that any entry points are properly secured around the house to prevent unwanted insect guests. Protect the Perimeter An essential part of preparing your yard for mosquito season should be to collect any old leaves in your yard that may have accumulated around the sides of your house. Leaves and weeds can trap moisture which invites mosquitoes and other pests. When preparing your landscaping for the summer,...

Repel Mosquitoes with Plants! Did you know that there are certain edible plants that repel mosquitoes? Make your garden a safe haven from pesky mosquitoes by beautifying it with protective plants that are also edible! If you live somewhere warm (and the ground isn’t frozen!) don’t wait until spring to pull out that green thumb of yours and start planting. Here are a few ways you can make your outside area more attractive and mosquito free, while producing ingredients for delicious, home-cooked dishes. Garlic You’ll be sure to scare away any lingering vampires if you grow garlic! More realistically, you’ll also keep some bugs at bay by planting garlic along with your vegetables or herbs. While eating garlic doesn’t repel mosquitoes away from you, the health benefits of eating garlic alone make this a great addition to your garden. Basil A common choice for those who enjoy cooking, basil also adds an extra layer of...

Mosquitoes are infecting millions of people with dengue fever worldwide. Dengue fever is not something to be taken lightly. There are 20,000 deaths worldwide every year, according to a trial study by the Governments of Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Guppy Fish Are Saving Many People from Dengue Fever Millions of people around the world have been fighting dengue with guppy fish. Guppy fish have been proven to combat the spread of dengue by eating the larva (mosquito eggs). The use of guppy fish has been an effective method used throughout Asia for years, by containing the population of mosquitoes' larvae carrying the dengue fever. Asian governments have recommended to all their citizens to keep guppy fish in their home inside a fish tank to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs without guppies being...

Do You Know About Dengue Fever? Dengue fever has become an increasingly common occurrence, with an estimated 390 million infections occurring worldwide each year. With so many people becoming infected, it is important to know about dengue fever, how the disease is spread, signs and symptoms, as well as how to avoid it. Dengue fever is known for being especially prominent in tropical areas; however, below are some important facts about dengue fever that everyone should be aware of whether you’re planning on traveling or not. What is Dengue Fever? Dengue fever, also known as “breakbone fever,” is a mosquito-borne disease that is caused by any four types of viruses that are carried by certain mosquitoes. Dengue fever is transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the dengue virus. If another mosquito bites someone infected with the virus, that mosquito then becomes a carrier of the virus and can...

Fishing is an enjoyable and relaxing activity. Yet getting prepared to go fishing can be very stressful due to the long list of gear that’s needed. It’s easy to forget things, such as repellent, to deal with those annoying mosquitoes that seem to ruin everything,...

With the Zika virus making headlines, mosquito-borne illnesses are becoming an all-too-common fear for those who are travelling. Unfortunately, this is not the first case of bug bites causing severe illness during travel. In the past, Dengue fever, malaria and the West Nile virus were known for turning travel bug bites into a more serious problem. Mosquitoes aren’t the only insect that can cause annoying bug bites on travel excursions in addition to serious illnesses. Ticks, for example, are known for causing Lyme disease which is an illness that leads to rash, joint pain and flu-like symptoms. The best way to avoid catching one of these illnesses is to avoid travel-related bug bites all together. If You Travel, Avoid Bug Bites with DEET Most insects use sensory receptors to locate their targets. By detecting body heat, carbon dioxide and a number of other chemicals that are excreted from skin, mosquitoes and other insects...