When you think of mosquitos, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For most people, they think of itchy summer evenings, annoying buzzing, and the smell of bug repellant. As much of a nuisance as mosquitos can be, they can actually be quite interesting.
Mosquitos are more than tyrannical, blood-sucking little vampires that always seem to find the worst places to bite. They have amazing abilities to detect movement and can travel great distances despite their tiny size. So without further ado, here are some interesting facts about mosquitos.
As pesky as mosquitos can be, they aren’t without their interesting capabilities and habits.
Mosquito Facts
Mosquitos are some of the oldest creatures on our planet. They are said to have lived all the way back to the Triassic Period, which was about 400 million years ago! However, here in North America, they lived in the Cretaceous era, which was only about 100 million years ago.
There are approximately 2,700 different species of mosquitos living on the planet. The United States inhabit about 200 different species, and they all have their unique traits such as behavior, habitats, and host preferences. However, one thing these mosquitos all share in common is their four-stage life cycle. Some common species here in the U.S. are Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles genera.
Mosquitos have a unique ability to detect and observe movement. They can detect infrared radiation that warm bodies emit. Mosquitos are also attracted to chemicals such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Humans put out these chemicals when in motion, especially when doing things like exercising.
A nice walk out on a full moon night might be romantic to many. However, it can quickly turn into a disaster as mosquitos are said to be more active on full moon nights. The moon allows them to see easier at night. During the day, they avoid the sun as the sun dries them out and kills them. That is why you can still get mosquito bites during the day in shaded areas and by bodies of water.
Mosquitos are excellent travelers despite their size. For one, mosquitos can beat their wings 300 to 600 times per second. That is insane. This is faster than dragonflies and bees, which can beat their wings up to 30 and 200 times per second, respectively. Mosquitos can also travel up to 40 miles for their next meal.
For our final fun fact, it is said that a group of Arctic researchers exposed their bare skin and received about 9,000 bites per minute. This study allegedly discovered that if someone were to receive this many bites at this rate, in two hours, they would lose half of their blood supply.
Caution is Still the Best Practice
While mosquitos have some interesting traits and facts about them, it still does not mean that we should take precautionary measures. They can still transmit some nasty diseases to us, our loved ones, and our beloved pets. They can transmit diseases such as:
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- West Nile virus
- Dengue
- Chikungunya
- Zika virus
So when you are enjoying the outdoors on your property, be sure to get the best pest control system in Texas. Texan Mosquito Systems has the best systems in Houston, Texas to control mosquitos and help you and your family stay safe and big free. Our mosquito system services include initial installation as well as maintenance and repairs. Our systems are safe around children and pets, so you can enjoy your outdoor area risk-free. Those cookouts and late-night gatherings will be more enjoyable without pest control systems in place. Give us a call today for a free estimate.