Mosquitoes

Did you know that while there are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world, only 74 are found in Jamaica? Only two of those species of mosquitoes are vectors, which means that they are living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans, or from animals to humans. These vector species are the anopheles, which carries malaria and the aedes aegypti, which transmits dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika.

Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites are not usually painful, but the itchiness that follows a bite can cause some discomfort.

There are simple ways you can keep safe and avoid some of the health risks associated with mosquito and midge bites.

Signs of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes and midges can make life unpleasant. Constantly having to track down that high-pitched whine can be a pain. And when you’ve found the culprit there always seems to be another one waiting in the wings.

So why is your home or business particularly attractive to mosquitoes and how can you be sure of mosquito identification?

Mosquitoes often make that all-too-familiar high pitched whine.
Bites are an obvious giveaway, ranging from mildly irritating to intensely inflamed with swelling. Only the female mosquito bites humans, the males will feed off nectar and other sweet things.
The adults are attracted to standing water including water butts, water trays from house plants and water bowls, where they lay their eggs.
You might spot them walking upside down on ceilings and glass surfaces.
Mosquitoes travel a long way so if there’s standing water within a mile of your home it may be the source of your problems.
Mosquitoes might be attracted to your lawn or shrubbery if it is well watered.

How to Avoid Mosquito Bites

There is a greater risk of bites when you are outdoors and from dusk into night when many biting insects are most active.

Luckily, there are ways you can keep safe when you are out and about.

Avoid bright colours - Do not wear bright colours or use strong scents such as perfumes and deodorants as these attract insects.
Reduce exposed skin - Wear long sleeves, trousers, footwear and hats.
Use insect repellent sprays - On exposed skin and repelling products or candles when sitting.
Avoid areas with water - Keep clear of slow moving or still / stagnant water.
Tuck trousers into socks - When hiking through brush or rough grass and avoid brushing through long grass or bushes.

Treatments for Mosquito Bites

Reaction to bites will vary from person to person. Symptoms that develop are just our immune system’s response to their saliva. Mosquitoes don’t actually inject anything into us when they bite.

Advice:

Clean the wound - this is the most important treatment for a mosquito or midge bite.
Use a cold compress - swelling can be reduced immediately after a bite by covering it with a cold compress such as ice in a cloth (but never hold ice directly on the skin). It may take more than a week to go down and may remain itchy for several days.
Take anti-histamines - itchiness and swelling can be relieved with anti-histamine creams for bites and stings. Oral anti-histamine (“hayfever tablets”) can also help especially if you have multiple bites.
Do not scratch - avoid scratching as this will increase the itch and could lead to the bite becoming infected by bacteria.

Are you worried about your reaction to a bite?

Young children and those with repeated bites are more likely to develop a severe reaction.

Consult a doctor if:

The swelling or pain is so severe that it prevents movement or sleeping.
The swelling continues to worsen more than a day after the bite.
The bite appears to be infected.

Call an ambulance immediately if a bite causes swelling to the throat, mouth or tongue that restricts breathing.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes

Mosquito Bites

Signs of Mosquitoes

How to Avoid Mosquito Bites

Treatments for Mosquito Bites

Types of Mosquitoes

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