Mosquitoes are extremely dangerous. Recent studies and statistics have shown that they are the most deadly animal in the world. They are responsible for causing approximately 725,000 deaths per year worldwide. Mosquitoes can carry and transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, chikungunya, and the West Nile virus. Malaria is one of the most common serious diseases in tropical and subtropical areas as far as mosquito-borne illnesses go.
In the United States, the West Nile virus is the most commonly transmitted disease carried by mosquitoes. This disease can cause fever, aches, dizziness, and confusion within two weeks after being infected. The reported cases of people infected with West Nile virus in South Carolina increase exponentially every year and can become fatal if not detected in time, or if complications arise.
The South Carolina climate makes for the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Due to the warmer weather later this year, mosquitoes will be sticking around even longer than usual. Therefore it is more important than ever to protect yourself, as well as your loved ones, from mosquitoes, mosquito bites, and mosquito-borne illnesses.
To protect yourself from mosquito bites, you should:
- Always cover up when you are outdoors by wearing light-colored long sleeves and pants, as well as applying an effective bug repellent.
- Avoid scented perfumes and toiletries such as shampoo, lotion, soap and deodorant.
- Eliminate all standing water around your home, including thin skims of water in kiddie pools, overturned tools, toys, wheelbarrows, and birdbaths.
- Use citronella candles or citronella oil torches for outdoor activities. This might keep mosquitoes at bay.
- Scatter plants around your yard that mosquitoes will avoid, such as lavender, marigold, rosemary, basil, catnip, citronella grass, and scented geraniums.
If your yard and property are inundated with a plethora of mosquitoes this year, these tips can help you avoid some of them. But, for the best protection from these dangerous insects, you should contact the professionals at Aiken Pest Control. Our mosquito control program will help diminish the mosquito population in your yard and in turn, lower the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. Our experienced technicians can also help prevent more mosquitoes in the future. It’s not too late, give us a call at Aiken Pest Control in the Central Savannah River Area and the Midlands of South Carolina for more information. We are happy to help.