We have reached August and with August comes the higher threat of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. This virus has not always been present in Minnesota, the first case was recorded in 2002 and it has been present in almost every county and every year ever since. But how frequent is the West Nile virus? About 1 in 150 people bit by the mosquito that carries West Nile will contract more severe symptoms that damage the central nervous system, and about survivors can suffer long-term effects for the rest of their lives. Although most people don't need to worry, most people when bitten by a West Nile mosquito won't show symptoms or will develop a mild fever and mild aches. West Nile virus was on a down slide for a few years after it came to Minnesota, but last year was the worst year we have seen, with 70 recorded cases and 1 death. So far in Minnesota, there has only been one recorded case of West Nile virus this year, but that still means people need to be cautious when they are outside around mosquitoes. Here is more information on West Nile in Minnesota:
http://www.perhamfocus.com/content/editorial-dont-dismiss-west-nile-threat-mosquitoes-0
If you want to avoid West Nile and mosquitoes for the rest of the summer, give Mosquito Squad a call! We can eliminate mosquitoes from your backyard and keep you safe from the diseases they carry. Mosquitoes who carry West Nile are going to be more active now that it is later in summer, so give us a call or visit
our website for more information on how we can protect you!
Today is World Mosquito Day, and this came
about in 1897 when a British doctor discovered that female mosquitoes
transmit malaria to humans. Malaria may not be a problem in the United
States anymore, but it is a HUGE problem in other parts
of the world, especially Africa. Mosquito Squad and Malaria No More
join together to try to help those who suffer from Malaria and one day
to hopefully stop the disease from spreading forever. Check out the
Malaria No More website for more facts on mosquitoes and malaria around
the world: http://malarianomore.org.uk/malaria#quick-facts
Technology just continues to amaze us.
Professors in Virgina have came up with a tick-killing robot that
actually works! Ticks are attracted to carbon dioxide and movement, so
they take some tube and lay it on the ground where ticks like to
live, leave it there for about 15 minutes and it emits a small amount
of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Then the robot follows the tube,
and behind the robot is a piece of cloth with a pesticide that kills
ticks on it. 
Have
you ever wondered why mosquitoes do some of the things they do? Here
are some facts about mosquitoes that most people don't know about, such
as the smell of chocolate confuses them, so it might be a good excuse to
eat chocolate while you're sitting
outside if you don't want mosquitoes bothering you. Another thing is
mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, and since we exhale carbon
dioxide from our mouth and nose, this is why mosquitoes are always
buzzing in our ears. And the most interesting fact: Mosquitoes are the
deadliest animal in the world. They cause more deaths than any other
animal in the world due to the diseases like Malaria and yellow fever
they spread. Check out the whole list here: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-mosquitoes
We should all just be thankful that we don't
live in parts of Alaska right now! A huge mosquito swarm was just
hatched and it's bad. Here's an article and video showing just how bad
the mosquitoes are in Alaska: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/alaskan-mosquito-swarm-video_n_3682619.html?utm_hp_ref=tw
