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Do Mosquitoes Bite?
Mosquitoes are known for biting people to feed on our blood, but in reality it’s only the females that bite us. Female mosquitoes don’t only bite humans, either. They will feed on the blood of small birds and mammals.
Mosquito bites can be very itchy and if you scratch too much your skin may become raw and scab over. Worse, in many parts of the world mosquito bites can turn deadly because of mosquito-borne diseases. Fortunately, the risk of getting a disease from a mosquito on Long Island is low, but it highlights why you need to take the threat of mosquitoes seriously.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Me?
Mosquitoes only bite when they need to. Specifically, when a female mosquito is ready to reproduce and lay her eggs, she must consume a blood meal. This is because blood contains nutrients that are necessary for the development of mosquito eggs.
The female mosquito pierces your skin with her needle-like proboscis, then injects you with a mix of anesthetic and anticoagulant while she feeds.
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What Happens If a Mosquito Bites Me?
Mosquito bites typically heal in one to three days with mild symptoms that include:
- Itchy pink/red bumps form minutes after the mosquito pierces the skin
- Within a day or two, these bumps can redden and darken
- The bump from a mosquito bite is less than ½” across
- Itching is common but resist the urge. Scratching the bites worsens the symptoms and can cause bruising or rashes
- In severe cases, fever, severe headaches, nausea, and fatigue can be a sign of a serious problem. Alert a medical professional immediately if you’re experiencing these symptoms
Will Mosquitos Bite My Pet?
Mosquitoes can and will bite your cats and dogs. Cats’ thick fur protects many parts of their body, but they can be bitten on the nose and ears. Dogs are less protected and frequently suffer bites from mosquitoes. In addition to these itchy bite marks, mosquitoes can also transmit diseases to animals as they can to humans.
Protect yourself and your pet(s) from mosquito bites with professional mosquito control treatments.
