Mosquito Bite Facts and Information

Are mosquitoes attracted to certain blood types?

Mosquitoes seem to prefer people with Type O blood nearly twice as much as people with Type A blood. People with Type B blood fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. More than the type of blood a person has, there are other factors that may cause mosquitoes to be more attracted to one person over another. While your blood type may make you more or less appealing to mosquitoes, it's not the sole determining factor. To reduce your chances of mosquito bites, it's best to use a combination of EPA-approved repellents, wear appropriate clothing, and minimize exposure during peak mosquito activity times, regardless of your blood type.

What are mosquitoes attracted to?

Mosquito researchers have shown that mosquitoes rely on the integration of multiple sensory cues including human body odor, visual recognition, movement of their hosts, carbon dioxide emission, plus stimulus to heat, all of which enable mosquitoes to detect, identify, and locate their hosts. The color of clothing you wear such as red, orange and black can also attract mosquitoes and cause you to be bitten.

What do mosquito bites look like?

Reactions to mosquito bites usually appear as a reddish, itchy bump that swells up after the bite, and if not treated might become a hard itchy bump within a day or two after the bite.

Why do mosquitoes bite?

Female mosquitoes have piercing mouthparts through which they extract the blood of a host. The protein from gathered blood is used in egg production. When a mosquito bites you, it pierces the skin using a special mouthpart to suck up blood. As the mosquito is feeding, it injects saliva into your skin. Males do not bite and feed on blood. Instead, they get their energy from plant nectars and other sweet substances found in their habitat.

After puncturing the skin with their mouthparts and feeding on blood, mosquitoes leave hard, itchy bumps, which are a reaction to the saliva they inject.

Most mosquito bites are harmless and the symptoms subside in a few days. Some discomforting symptoms include swelling of the bite site, soreness, and bleeding. While mosquitoes are an itchy, uncomfortable nuisance, the important problem arising from mosquito bites is transmission of viral or parasitic diseases.

Mosquitoes are vectors of malaria, encephalitis and yellow and dengue fevers. Their bite can also cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Mosquito Bite Symptoms & Reactions

Many mosquito species are such stealthy biters that most people never notice their first mosquito bites. Other species are ferocious biters whose bite is moderately painful. The symptoms of mosquito bites include:

• A puffy, white bump appearing a few minutes after the bite often with a small red dot in the middle of the bump

• A hard, reddish bump, or bumps, that shows up about a day after a bite

• Swelling around the bites

• Small blisters instead of hard bumps

• Dark spots that look like bruises

In children and people with immune system disorders, mosquito bite symptoms may include:

• A large area of swelling and redness

• Low-grade fever

• Hives

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Headache

Always seek the advice and assistance of a physician when dealing with mosquito bites.

Mosquito Bite Allergies

While not particularly painful, the bite of a mosquito can create physiological responses in humans. When a mosquito inserts her proboscis through the skin, her saliva creates a small, red bump. These bumps produce mild to severe itching in many people. Some people may become less sensitive to mosquito saliva through repeated exposure, while others may develop allergic reactions.

Symptoms of an allergy include blistering and inflammation, as well as asthma like reactions. Mosquitoes also carry diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fevers, malaria and encephalitis and are capable of passing them from host to host.

In most cases, a mosquito bite produces a red, itchy bump, which can bleed if scratched. Those with mild reactions to a mosquito bite can take antihistamines to reduce itching and swelling. Consult a physician before taking any new medications. Over time, some individuals develop immunity to the saliva of a mosquito and do not experience any symptoms at all upon being bitten.

Severe Mosquito Bite Allergy Symptoms

People who spend a great deal of time outdoors or already have compromised or weak immune systems are especially susceptible to mosquito allergies. More severe symptoms include:

• Blistering rashes

• Bruises

• Excessive swelling

• Anaphylaxis

• Hives

• Asthma attack

In the event of a severe allergic reaction to a mosquito bite, a medical professional should be contacted immediately.

When spending time outside, individuals with known or suspected mosquito allergies should cover their skin in khaki or beige clothing, as mosquitoes are not as attracted to these colors. Because mosquitoes may be attracted to certain smells present in soap, shampoos and lotions, these should be used in moderation and unscented varieties may be less attractive.

Mosquitoes are most active from dusk until dawn. If possible, avoid being outside during these times.

Infected Mosquito Bites

As with most insect and spider bites, the risk of secondary bacteria infection exists. In addition, there is a risk of disease transmission from mosquito bites.

How to Identify Mosquito Bites on Pets

Excessive scratching and minor swelling maybe some of the indications of mosquito bites on pets. Much like people, animals may experience allergic reactions to mosquito bites caused by allergic compounds in the mosquito’s saliva.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Preventing mosquito bites involves:

• Eliminate outdoor sources of water.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks to reduce skin exposure to biting mosquitoes.

• If possible, stay indoors during the times of day or night when mosquitoes are active.

• Use mosquito repellents that are approved and registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Be sure to precisely follow the application directions and warnings when using repellents. When used as directed EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective. Before deciding upon using repellents, you might consider contacting an Orkin mosquito specialist or your family doctor for their advice.

• When using repellents on children, apply the repellent to your own hands and then put the repellent on the child. After returning indoors, wash your child's treated skin and clothes with soap and water.

• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

Mosquito Repellents

The use of insect repellents is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Repellents should not come into contact with the eyes and mouth, and special care should be taken when applying repellent to small children. The use of citronella or insect repellent may be effective in avoiding bites.

Mosquito Bite Treatment

How to Prevent or Reduce the Itching From Mosquito Bites

After receiving a mosquito bite, wash the bite area with soap and water. A cold compress can be applied to the affected area for 10 min in order to reduce swelling. Apply a paste-like mixture of baking soda and water, which can help reduce the itch response. Wait 10 minutes and then wash off the paste. If needed, Mild antihistamines and anti-itching compounds relieve itching. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can also be used. Putting calamine lotion or nonprescription hydrocortisone cream on the bite can also help ease the itch.

Contact your physician before taking any new medications. If you experience more severe symptoms following a mosquito bite, contact a medical professional immediately.

Do mosquitoes die when they bite?

• One-page fact sheet about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.

• Latest information from CDC about West Nile virus, a disease associated with mosquitoes.

• Latest information from CDC regarding other domestic (US) mosquito-borne viral diseases.

Mosquitoes and ticks are both public health pests and vector pests. As public health pests, they can transmit diseases reportable to and tracked by the CDC, and as vector pests, they are able to transfer diseases to humans.

This means that mosquitoes and ticks are not simply annoying pests because of their bites – they are pests that should not be ignored, given their potential to possibly cause more serious health problems.

Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes

1. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) – Aches and fever are symptoms of EEE, which can also cause brain infections.

2. Malaria – Signs of possible Malaria are fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

3. West Nile virus – Symptoms of West Nile virus can be aches, rashes, severe headaches and fever.

4. Dengue fever – Vomiting, rashes and a fever are common signs of Dengue fever. Another symptom is severe headache.

5. Zika virus – Along with a fever and itching rash, Zika virus can also cause joint and muscle pain.

Diseases Spread by Ticks

1. Lyme disease – Signs of Lyme disease include fatigue and joint pain. Sometimes Lyme disease can even cause brain inflammation.

2. Rocky Mountain spotted fever – Symptoms can include fever, aches and vomiting. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied by neurological changes.

3. Colorado tick fever – Fever, muscle aches severe headaches and nausea are all possible symptoms of Colorado tick fever.

Mosquito and Tick Hot Spots on Your Property

You can take steps to help reduce mosquito and tick populations on your property by working with your pest management partner to minimize conducive conditions for each pest. By doing so, you can help reduce the habitats where they thrive. To make these changes, you must first identify mosquito and tick hot spots, which include:

• Building entrances – Ticks thrive in grasses and trees that make up your property’s landscaped areas. Landscaping close to your building entrance allows ticks to hitch a ride onto incoming customers and employees.

• Pools, ponds and water fixtures – Mosquitoes love moisture and can breed in as little as a bottlecap full of water, making these fixtures an enticing attractant.

• Outdoor eating areas and kitchens – These areas contain not only the landscaping and greenery ticks love, but also additional water and food, extending an even warmer invitation to mosquitoes.

• Playgrounds – Surrounded by greenery, playgrounds are also home to other pests, like rodents and rabbits, which can bring ticks with them. These areas are especially important to monitor to keep families safe.

Mosquito and Tick Prevention Tips

To help prevent mosquitoes and ticks from harming your customers, employees and business, consider taking proactive measures. Simple outdoor upkeep can help keep these pests at bay, such as maintaining landscaping; minimizing water build-up; and clearing away brush, fallen leaves, logs and other items they may use as shelter. Adding fans to outdoor areas with heavy foot traffic can help deter mosquitoes further, since they are weak flyers.

Further preventive measures include installing screens on windows and doors to keep pests from entering your building, installing traps in discrete areas and creating a 3-foot wide barrier between trees and grass using wood chips or gravel. Last, consider planting mosquito-repelling plants such as citronella, marigold, mint or lavender.

Hiring a professional to handle mosquitoes and ticks can take the pressure off of you and your employees. In fact, Orkin can help develop a customized plan including a comprehensive inspection, habitat modification, production application as needed and ongoing monitoring and maintenance for your property’s needs. With our assistance, you can do more than help protect your customers and employees – you can help protect your business.

Ready to help declare victory over vector pests this year? Learn more about our
mosquito and tick services scheduling a free inspection at your property.