Sometimes, mosquito bites can feel like a badge of honor, proof that you’ve been somewhere and done something. Depending on who you ask, they can even be kind of fun to scratch. But for most of us, mosquito bites are nothing but irritating. If you’re bitten by mosquitoes in Tucson, you need to know how to deal with the problem.

About Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are some of the most populous insects in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica. There are at least 3,000 recognized mosquito species on Earth, representing a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They can be as large as an inch in size or smaller than 1/10 of an inch.

Mosquitoes may prefer to feed on birds, reptiles, or mammals depending on the species, but always breed and congregate near areas of still water like ponds, puddles, and drainage ditches. They are fond of hiding in shady areas with dense vegetation and are typically most active at the hours around dusk and dawn.

It’s only female mosquitoes that drink blood. These pests hunt down the blood of other animals because it’s the most nutritious food source they can obtain. Their long mouthparts, called a “proboscis,” are only capable of drinking rather than chewing. While male mosquitoes drink sap and nectar, females use their straw-like proboscis to slurp blood. Without a blood meal, a mosquito can’t successfully lay her eggs.

What Happens When A Mosquito Bites?

Once a mosquito locates her victim, she plunges her sharp proboscis into the skin and begins to drink. To prevent you from feeling this tiny stab wound, mosquitoes have evolved an anesthetic saliva that numbs pain. It’s this saliva that causes mosquito bites to itch.

When mosquito saliva enters the body, an allergic reaction occurs. This results in minor swelling, redness, and of course, itching at the site of injection. The severity of this allergic reaction can vary tremendously from person to person and can even require medical attention in extreme cases.

Treating Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading serious diseases like malaria, EEE, and dengue fever. Though most mosquito bites won’t dramatically impact your health, the intense itching can be maddening to deal with.

With some basic first aid, you can treat mosquito bites and alleviate itching and swelling:

• Wash the mosquito bite with soap and water.
• Use an icepack or cold compress in 10-minute intervals to reduce swelling.
• Visit your local pharmacy and purchase an anti-histamine or anti-itch cream. Follow the directions on the package for best results.
• Create a homemade paste of one tablespoon of baking soda mixed with water to reduce itching.

Mosquito bites should always be taken seriously. Although rare, there is a chance that you or someone you know may develop an adverse reaction to a mosquito bite requiring medical attention. If you experience any unusual symptoms like fever, headache, or chills following a mosquito bite, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible.

At Pest Friends, we can help to prevent mosquitoes from ever bothering you in the first place. Our mosquito control services are designed specifically for the Tucson climate. We’ll inspect your property to identify any and all breeding sites on your property. Next, we’ll treat those breeding sites to stop the mosquito lifecycle in its tracks. We’ll also target the adult mosquitoes on your property to prevent female mosquitoes from biting you.

To learn more about how you can keep dangerous mosquitoes away from your property and prevent mosquito bites, contact the pest control experts at Pest Friends today.