We know the feeling. Being outside having a good time when that dreadful itching sensation hits, and we know a mosquito has bitten us. Although they inhabit the entire United States, some areas are home to many more species due to factors such as climate and breeding opportunities. South Carolina is home to at least 61 species. Regardless, each species is still able to adapt to its location and thrive. 

If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many pesky mosquitoes out there, it’s partially because the females only require a tablespoon of water to lay eggs. Since that isn’t hard to find, they can inhabit many different terrains, making them extremely hard to eradicate. Most will live for around three weeks, but some species can survive and continue reproducing for up to six months. 

According to the American Mosquito Control Association, they typically fly at a speed between 1 and 1.5 miles per hour. Although the heaviest ones can weigh up to 10 milligrams, we usually see the pests around our homes average out at around 2.5 milligrams. Due to their small size, they can get into our houses at warp speed through even the smallest of entryways, including torn screens, exhaust vents, attic soffit vents, and broken or cracked windows. 

Males can survive solely on nectar and sap, whereas females need blood to facilitate egg production. So, all those bites are from females, and she takes typically between 0.001 and 0.01 milliliters of your blood while injecting saliva into you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the body’s reaction to the saliva causes the itchy, annoying bumps. This reaction to the bites is also known as Skeeter Syndrome. Those with allergies can have symptoms ranging from fever to nausea, and anaphylaxis.

Although most bites are harmless despite being a nuisance, they also can carry harmful diseases and the insects have been called the most dangerous animal in the world. West Nile Virus is perhaps one of the most well-known diseases as it is the number one cause of mosquito-borne illness in the United States. The disease has been found throughout the United States since 1999, and, thankfully, most people who contract it do not feel sick. These pests can also pass the pathogens that can cause Zika Virus, Yellow Fever, dengue, and malaria.

You may feel like they pick on you and you are bitten more than other people. This could be true thanks to your genetics. Mosquitoes heavily depend on their sense of smell, and they are attracted to certain chemicals that the human body gives off. These include carbon dioxide and lactic acid, so if you are sweaty or your body naturally generates more of those substances, your feelings of being targeted may be warranted. 

If you’re in the Bluffton, South Carolina area and mosquitoes are causing a problem, call Bluffton Pest Management to learn how we can help you handle your pest issue. Contact us today for a free estimate.