Saline County Mosquito Education Agent

Saline County Mosquito Education Agent

Lynn Hart

Direct Phone: 317-6950

MOSQUITOES

Mosquitoes are a problem to humans because they are annoying, can cause loss of productivity in livestock and they may carry disease. Heartworm in dogs is a common disease in Arkansas that is carried by mosquitoes. Here are some facts about mosquitoes.

Mosquito Biology:

Mosquitoes are a type of fly. There are four stages of growth in the mosquito life cycle - egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

The eggs of some types of mosquitoes are laid on water and hatch in one or two days. Eggs of other types of mosquitoes are laid in places that are dry, but filled with water. These eggs may survive years before hatching. Larvae hatch from the eggs and live, feed and grow in the water.

Fully mature larvae change into the pupae. During the pupal state, feeding stops and changes occur that lead to the adult stage. Adults emerge from the pupae, leave the water and take to the air.

Whenever possible, it is best to use larval mosquito control. This prevents adult mosquito problems before they get started. There are many ways to perform larval control. They include eliminating breeding sites, using biological controls such as bacteria that kill the mosquito larvae, or introducing predators such as fish.

The cycle from egg to adult mosquito may take as little as a week. Soon after becoming adults, male and female mosquitoes mate. Only the female mosquitoes take a blood meal - this is required to produce her eggs. Each type of mosquito may prefer blood from a different kind of animal - birds, frogs, deer, or human.

There are more than 55 types of mosquitoes in Arkansas. Many of these are not a problem because they do not attack humans. Adult mosquitoes may live about 6 weeks, or they can live over winter. A female may lay up to 12 batches of eggs (each batch consisting of hundreds of eggs).

MOSQUITOES & DISEASE

Mosquitoes are carriers ( or vectors ) of many diseases around the world. Malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and viral encephalitides are some of the most common. Malaria and yellow fever were once found throughout the southern United States but have been stopped in the country as a result of mosquito control, medical treatment and improving living conditions.

This country still has cases of mosquito-borne encephalitis. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. Eastern Equine and St. Louis encephalitis are the main mosquito-borne encephalitic viruses that periodically plague Arkansas. Fortunately, not all persons bitten by an infected mosquito become sick. Only a small percentage show signs of illness.

For those that do show signs of encephalitis, the symptoms may include: headache, high fever, rash, nausea, muscle and joint aches, stiff neck, and mental confusion.

Mosquitoes breed in any body of water, from small containers such as tree-holes and tin cans to large bodies of water like lakes and marshes. All of these breeding places can create a variety of mosquito problems. Mosquitoes can be controlled either as adults or larvae.

Controlling mosquitoes after they have become adults requires the spraying of insecticides which must actually come in contact with the mosquito.

This requires spraying repeatedly over large areas. Spraying must occur when mosquitoes are active.

Many times the mosquitoes that are a problem to homeowners result from breeding sites in their own backyards! Water-holding containers such as tree-holes, tires, tin cans, uncovered boats, leaf-clogged rain gutters, and planters may breed mosquitoes. Emptying the water from these places can be a quick and effective way to control mosquito problems around the house.

PERSONAL PROTECTION:

Make sure all windows and doors have screens which are in good repair.

Stay indoors when mosquitoes are more active.

Wear protective clothing outdoors when mosquitoes are more active.

Use mosquito repellant (containing DEET) when it is necessary to be outdoors.

Need More Information?? Contact Lynn Hart direct at 317-6950

or your local Health Department at 501-303-5650

The Division of Epidemiology at the Arkansas Department of Health

501-661-2184

800-482-5400

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Website started August 21, 2002

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USE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING REPELLANTS CONTAINING DEET
Store out of the reach of children and read all instructions on the label before applying.	Do NOT allow young children to apply DEET to themselves.
Do NOT apply DEET directly to children. Apply to your own hands and then put it on the child avoiding the child's face and hands.	Avoid prolonged and excessive use of DEET.
Do NOT apply repellants in enclosed areas.	Do NOT apply directly on your face.
Wash all skin and clothing after returning indoors.	If you believe you or a child is having an adverse reaction to a repellant containing DEET, wash the treated area immediately and call your health care provider or local poison control center.