Mosquitoes!  We go to war with these tiny blood suckers every warm season.  Are all those annoying mosquitoes only females, or do all mosquitoes bite humans?

Male mosquitoes do not bite humans or animals.  They feed on nectar alone.  If a male mosquito is close to you, it will simply be annoying.  That said, male mosquitoes typically avoid contact with humans.  They don’t need us after all.  If you are experiencing swarms of mosquitoes, they are likely all female.

Why do female mosquitoes bite humans and animals?

They are like tiny, flying vampires.  Female mosquitoes feed on sweet, warm blood!  It is suggested that female mosquitoes even have a preference for the type of blood they seek.  There is a lot of misinformation about naturally avoiding mosquito bites.  Like the myth that eating bananas or drinking beer will keep mosquitoes from biting you.  There is actually evidence to the contrary!  Female mosquitoes have two life goals.  The first is to procreate, which leads to the second – blood!  Female mosquitoes must have blood to produce eggs.  Female mosquitoes can mate once and continue to produce eggs by the hundreds until they die.  These eggs can be laid about ever three days after mating.  The typical lifespan is about a week, but only one female mosquito can leave behind quite a legacy in seven days!  Imagine what all those mosquitoes in your yard can do in a one week’s time.  Male mosquitoes have about the same lifespan as females.  Males die three to five days after mating, which is their only function in life.

Female mosquitoes take blood, but can leave much worse behind.

We have all had a mosquito bite at one time or another.  They can simply result in an itchy, red hive, or become something much worse.  Mosquito saliva can pass potentially deadly diseases, like malaria and EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis).  Mosquito bites can become infected.  To know the difference between a simple allergic reaction, infection, or mosquito-borne illness, you should see a doctor.  Mosquito bites can also affect our pets.  Heart worm disease in cats and dogs is the result of a mosquito bite!

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Mosquito control is an essential part of safety in the great outdoors.

If you are away from your home, it is very important that you protect yourself and your family with mosquito repellent.  Whenever possible, wear bright colors and long sleeves to keep mosquito bites at bay.  For all the areas outside your home, count on the professionals.  Reputable Central Mass mosquito control companies offer programs that will keep your yard up to 95% free of mosquitoes in the springtime, summer, and fall.

Also read: Who’s at risk for mosquito bites?