Every year, people look forward to the warmth and beautiful weather of summer. Long hikes in the woods, fun beach days, and vacations are common at this time of year. However, mosquitoes are one common component of summer that isn’t so enjoyable.
These annoying insects ruin outdoor gatherings and leave unpleasant bite marks up and down our skin. But with all of the summer insects that are now active, how can you determine if you’ve been bitten by a mosquito… or something else?
The Problem With Mosquito Bites
Aside from the itchy red bumps you find after being bitten, mosquitoes present a number of other problems for people. One of the alarming issues is the possibility of mosquitoes transmitting one of the many diseases they are capable of carrying. Chikungunya, West Nile virus and Zika virus are just a few of the diseases mosquitoes are known to transmit to humans.
Some individuals react differently to mosquito bites than others. While some people might only have a slightly raised bump, others may find a swollen red mark the size of a dime. This is because some people are more allergic to mosquito saliva (which keeps your blood flowing while the mosquito feeds on you).
One of the common questions that people ask when it comes to mosquitoes is: “Why am I getting so many mosquito bites while my friend is not?” Believe it or not, mosquitoes are more attracted to some individuals than others. Studies have shown that people with the blood type O are bitten by mosquitoes more often than others.
Other studies have shown mosquitoes are attracted to individuals who produce more lactic acids. Mosquitoes target their blood meals by smelling the carbon dioxide we give off when we exhale, which means individuals who are exhaling more often (such as when you exercise) are more likely to be targeted.
How to Identify a Mosquito Bite
With all the bugs that bite out there, it can be difficult to determine if you’ve been bitten by a mosquito or something else. It is important to know what bit you in order to know whether or not you should keep an eye out for signs of disease. One of the best ways to identify mosquito bites is to check if the bite marks appear in a pattern.
Mosquitoes usually only bite their target once before moving away, which means their bite marks will appear randomly instead of in a pattern. Another way to know if a mosquito has bitten you is by inspecting the location of the bite. Mosquitoes almost never bite skin that is covered by clothing or protected in some way. This means arms, legs, feet, and necks are going to be targeted instead of anywhere on your torso.
If mosquitoes are frequenting your property this summer, be sure to reach out to the pest professionals here at Moyer Pest Control. We are happy to inspect, identify, and treat any pests on your property. Avoid the hassle of dealing with mosquitoes and reach out to Moyer for all your pest control needs! Give us a call at 215.799.2010 or fill out the form below and we will contact you.