Spanish for “little fly,” mosquitoes are more than just annoying pests that cause itchy red skin bumps. Although they don’t kill their prey directly, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet numbering more than 110 trillion.
Female mosquitoes require blood meals as part of their reproductive cycle, feed on a host organism’s blood, and can transmit hazardous and deadly pathogens such as viruses and parasites when biting.
Warm summer weather supports outside activities while attracting these airborne invaders. Educate your workforce on preventive safety practices to avoid illness and lessen your risk of infection.
Know the Risks
- According to the CDC, 12 US species of mosquitoes can spread pathogens when they bite.
- The most common mosquito-borne diseases in the US are West Nile Virus, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses.
- Malaria, despite being preventable and curable, is the most lethal mosquito-borne diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 627,000 humans perished from malaria—not as prevalent in the US as in other parts of the world.
Keys to Keep You Safe
- Since mosquitoes lay eggs near water, regularly remove any standing water on your property such as holes, buckets, or puddles on swimming pool covers.
- Remove excess vegetation and treat outdoor space with insecticides to kill mosquitoes living around property.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and covering as much of your skin as possible to limit where mosquitoes can bite you. Light-colored clothing enables easier mosquito detection.
- Use insect repellant on clothing and skin. For children, do not apply it directly to hands, mouth, eyes, or irritated skin. Instead, apply it to your hands and rub it onto the child’s skin.