All about Mosquitoes In Singapore
A tale as old as time, set in a sunny island by the sea
What are the signs of Mosquitoes?
Bites
About
Not all mosquitoes will transmit diseases. It will only transmit disease if it has fed the blood of an infected person or host.
It will use it's sharp tip proboscis ( Straw-like mouth) to pierce through a human or host skin.
From there it will be able to locate the blood vessel and release saliva, a very complex concoction of more than 100 proteins, many of which have anticoagulant and unknown functions, into the bite.
This will allow them to keep drawing the blood.
Not all mosquitoes will transmit diseases. It will only transmit disease if it has fed the blood of an infected person or host. It will use it's sharp tip proboscis ( Straw-like mouth) to pierce through a human or host skin. From there it will be able to locate the blood vessel and release saliva, a very complex concoction of more than 100 proteins, many of which have anticoagulant and unknown functions, into the bite. This will allow them to keep drawing the blood.
Prevention
- Use insect repellent on your skin to prevent bites and stings - Wear light coloured clothes - Wash your body regularly to remove any lactic acid - Understand their feeding timing and avoid staying outdoor during those timing
- Use insect repellent on your skin to prevent bites and stings - Wear light coloured clothes - Wash your body regularly to remove any lactic acid - Understand their feeding timing and avoid staying outdoor during those timing
What attracts Mosquitoes?
Carbon Dioxide
When humans exhale carbon dioxide, they are able to lock a specific area of activities. Adult tends to exhale more than children, thus why adults are more prone for the mosquito bites.
Body Heat
Our body heat enables them to zero in on us and identifies where to bite. Our blood is closer to areas such as forehead, wrist and neck. This is also why human drinking alcohol attract them Our body temperature increase when we drink.
Smell
They are attracted to fragrance and floral scent. Lactic acid, which can be found in sweat, secretes naturally thus attracting them.
Blood Type
Studies have shown that they are more attracted to Type 'O' blood than the rest.
Colour
Avoid wearing dark coloured clothing if you are planning to do outdoor activities such as camping or picnic.
Pregnancy
Pregnant individuals exhale more carbon dioxide nad generally have higher body temperatures and increased blood circulation. Perfect target for a mosquito!
Common Mosquito Species
Anopheles
MosquitoesDiet:
Early hours of the morning and 5 pm to 10 pm in the evening
Appearance:
Black to dark brown
Disease Vectors:
- Malaria
Culex
MosquitoesDiet:
Feeds all night. Sunset to till Sunrise
Appearance:
Black to dark brown
Disease Vectors:
- West Nile
- Japanese Encephalitis
Aedes
MosquitoesDiet:
Most active during 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm
Appearance:
Black and white marking on the legs and body
Disease Vectors:
- Dengue
- Yellow Fever
- Chikungunya
- Zika
Do Mosquitoes cause diseases?
Mosquito carry viruses and other parasites. This allows mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue fever, Yellow fever, Malaria, Chikungunya, West Nile Virus and Zika to spread. Controlling these diseases is harder than before due to rapid world population growth, urbanization and frequent travelers.
Dengue
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. This may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.Recovery generally takes two to seven days. In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.
Zika
Zika fever is mainly spread via the bite of mosquitoes of the Aedes type. It can also be sexually transmitted and potentially spread by blood transfusions. Infections in pregnant women can spread to the baby. Diagnosis is by testing the blood, urine, or saliva for the presence of the virus's RNA when the person is sick, or the blood for antibodies after symptoms are present more than a week.
Where do Mosquitoes hangout?
Larvae
Female mosquitoes can lay a set of up to 100 eggs about every third night after mating only once. They typically lay as many as three sets before dying.
Stagnant Water
Mosquitoes only need a tiny spot of stagnant water to multiply.
lifecycle
They go through 4 stages before becoming an adult mosquito. Starting off from eggs to larvae to pupa before becoming an adult. Most mosquito will lay their eggs in the water although the eggs can still survive without water for a long period of time. Larvae and pupa, on the other hand, cannot survive without water.
Eggs
It can take about 12-24 hours for the egg to hatch. It varies due to the condition. For example, under optimal condition, an Aedes Mosquito can take less than 1 day to hatch.
Larvae
It will take about 7 days. The larvae will go thru a molting period. This period is divided into 4 stages. They are First In-Star, Second In-Star, Third In-Star and Fourth In-Star. An expert from MaxPest can determine how long the breeding has taken place by identifying the stages of the larvae.
Pupa
Within 2-3 days, an emerging adult will start to form. Its body will start to harden and it is able to start flying.
Adult Mosquito
More About Mosquitoes
Your body immune system is able to detect the mosquito saliva and produce histamine to fight it.
The histamine will cause your blood vessel to react. This is how the bump will appear. Everyone has different reactions to mosquito bites. Some will develop a puffy and reddish bump. Other can develop a hard, reddish-brown swell.
We have seen cases where the host develops a bruise like swelling from the bites.
Mosquito bites itch can lead you to start scratching the bump thus, causing irritation to your skin.
Instead, do this:
- Wash with bump and apply calamine lotion - Apply a cold and wet towel over the bump. This will help with the itch and swelling
Mosquito bites can lead to an allergic reaction.
Some of the more serious reaction:
- Blister - A large part of the bite area is itching - Bruises - Hive around the bite
The bump can be visible up to a few days. However, should you develop any of these symptoms below, please seek medical attention immediately.
- Fever - Vomiting - Fatigue and severe headache - Fatigue
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