Mosquitoes: The World’s Deadliest Animals
Causing about 725,000 deaths each year, mosquitoes are much deadlier than snakes, crocodiles, lions and sharks combined. They carry countless diseases, some of them lethal. For that reason, everyone needs to be aware of this threat and know how to fight it to the best of their abilities. And because knowledge is power, here is some information about the various types of mosquitoes and what can be done to ward them off.
More than one species
There are more than 3,000 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world. However, the deadliest of them belong to three categories:
- Aedes mosquitoes, which can transmit Zika, chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.
- Culex mosquitoes, which can carry the West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis.
- Anopheles mosquitoes, which are the only vectors of malaria.
Living habits
Mosquitoes don’t live long (less than two months), but their population grows rapidly: They can lay 100 eggs at a time and evolve from egg to adult within seven to 10 days!
Furthermore, they can breed in the tiniest amounts of water because they only need about a teaspoon of water to do so. The rest of the time, they hide and rest in various types of habitats and get close to human dwellings to bite (Anopheles usually attack at night and early in the morning, while Aedes bite early in the morning and late in the afternoon).
Only female mosquitoes bite, and they can drink their entire body weight of blood within one night.
Preventing mosquito bites
Mosquitoes have powerful receptors that enable them to spot their next target from 50 meters away. This is why everyone needs to apply best practices to protect themselves from these insects and the diseases they can carry.
Individuals: Use mosquito repellents, wear long clothes and sleep under bed nets (preferably long-lasting insecticidal nets).
Dwellings: Cover or empty water containers and install nets and screens.
In order to create safe environments for communities everywhere, Envu strives to develop and provide effective products and solutions. We also believe that knowing more about mosquitoes and the various ways we can protect ourselves from them is key in the fight against these insects.
Check out our infographic to learn everything you need to know about mosquitoes: Download the Envu Mosquitoes Infographic
