Increased humidity and heat along with all this rain has brought mosquitoes out for the summer.
Putnam County Ag Extension Agent Wayne Key said mosquito larvae start to develop when the temperatures increase, and adults are looking for food sources. Key said male mosquitoes feed on plant juices, but females often feed on humans.
“The females are the ones laying the eggs,” Key said. “They need blood and blood meal to ensure that the eggs are going to be viable. So that’s why they use humans, dogs, livestock. Any warm blooded mammal is susceptible to bites.”
Key said mosquitoes are common around wooded areas, shrubs, dense vegetation, and sewers. Key said removing attractants, like standing water, or using bug repellents are good ways to reduce your chances of a mosquito bite.
“The most common ones are the ones that contain deet or permanone, which is also a pyrethin product, those work really well,” Key said. “You want to look for something that contains 30 percent deet or higher.”
Key said mosquito eggs are microscopic, but they are typically laid on the edge of the water. Key said there are chemicals that can kill larva and prevent them from hatching.
Key said wearing light colored clothing and long sleeves or pants while outside can help prevent bites.
Key said most bites are not severe, but mosquitoes in the region could carry disease organisms which can be transmitted to people or pets.
“The most common one people have heard of is West Nile Virus, which has been around sometime since 2002 when the first human case was reported here in Tennessee, about 23 years ago.” Key said. “But that’s the biggest thing they can cause. Not only irritation but the transmission of diseases like West Nile Virus.”
Key said although 80 percent of people are able to catch West Nile Virus, cases are very rare. Key said other extreme mosquito bites can cause severe flu like symptoms.