Have you ever seen a bug and thought it was a bloodsucking mosquito, but the color and size threw you off?
Well, friends, we've got news for you — it probably was a mosquito as there are over 3,000 species in the world, with 174 of them living here in the U.S.
A Spanish or Portuguese word meaning "little fly," experts believe these annoying winged pests made their debut in America sometime around 1583. After mating, a female mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs, typically laying as many as three sets before dying.
While the biggest culprits impolitely feast on our blood and spread horrible diseases, some mosquitos prefer an all-animal diet and avoid the human flesh cafe altogether.
Interested in learning more about these pesky little vampires? The Natural Co. has your back! Read on as we explore the different types of mosquitoes and uncover the most dangerous kind of them all.
Let's go!
But First, Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
We are all probably familiar with the relentlessly itchy red bumps that pop up after we're bitten by a mosquito. It's a simple fact of life that these pesky bugs bite humans — but why?
Well, first and foremost, did you know that only female mosquitoes bite and have the ability to suck blood? Their male counterparts don't rely on human blood and only feed on the sweet sugary nectar of flowers. Female mosquitoes, on the other hand, bite to engorge themselves on a tasty cocktail of our blood.
You see, blood is super rich in protein and other essential compounds that lady mosquitoes need to help produce, develop, and nourish their eggs. There is no limit to the number of bites one of the females can inflict as they will continue to bite and snack on blood until they are full.
After a female mosquito gets her fill, she will rest for a few days before laying her eggs. Once this is complete, she is ready to get back to the hunt and bite again.
What Are Some of the Different Kinds Of Mosquitoes Commonly Found In the U.S.?
As we mentioned a little earlier, there are over 170 different types of mosquitoes that are residents of the U.S. While we don't have time to go over every single creepy crawly (we'll save that for a rainy day!), we will cover the most common types found in America.
So, without further ado, here are the different types of mosquitoes commonly found in the United States that you should be aware of:
Aedes Mosquitos
The most common type of mosquito found in the USA is none other than the Aedes.
There are two main species types of the Aedes mosquito —the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus. Both of these icky bugs are invasive species originally found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Today, they can be found on every single continent (except Antarctica), and the females prefer human blood over any other mammal.
While not known to transmit malaria, the Aedes is the carrier of many other life-threatening viruses, like:
- Zika
- Yellow fever
- Dengue
- Chikungunya
Simply put, these awful pests are bad news and should be avoided at all costs. One way to do just that is by arming yourself with one of our all-natural mosquito repellent patches.
Infused with all-natural ingredients like citronella and lavender, BuzzPatch prevents itchy mosquito bites instantly and is made without any questionable ingredients or harsh chemicals, just wholesome and safe essential oils.
Easy to use and non-toxic, our convenient and effective patches are perfect for kids.
Anopheles Mosquitoes
Also known as Marsh mosquitoes, this dangerous genus has around 460 different species, with the Anopheles gambiae being the most prominent.
This common mosquito is responsible for spreading malaria —and malaria is no joke, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide per year on average. Anopheles mosquitoes prefer to breed in pools, freshwater marshes, and slow-moving waterways.
Culex Mosquitoes
Ah, Culex mosquitoes, otherwise known as the common house mosquito or everyone's worst nightmare and most unwelcome house guest. These pesky home intruders might not carry malaria, but they have been known to transmit the West Nile virus and Western equine encephalitis. They can also transmit parasitic disease filariasis and spread avian malaria.
Culex mosquitoes are typically active at night and thrive around standing stagnant water.
A Bad Cast
There are many different types of mosquitoes, but of them all, Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex are the most common species that reside in North America. All three of these pesky pests are cause for concern, as they have the ability to transmit seriously dangerous diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
To keep your kiddos protected from itchy mosquito bites and disease, we recommend BuzzPatch —the natural way to say goodbye to pesky mosquitoes.
Our all-natural mosquito repellent patches are infused with a healthy combo of Citronella and other essential oils, which are perfectly safe for your little ones. And unlike commercial topical sprays, which contain DEET, Picaridin, or other harsh chemicals, BuzzPatch is not only super easy to apply but environment-friendly (well, not friendly to mosquitoes, of course).
When it comes down to mosquitoes, prevention is KEY. Prevent itchy red bites and the risk of disease with BuzzPatch. Trust us — you'll be glad you did.
Sources:
Is DEET Bad for You (and Your Kids)? | Cleveland Clinic
