Why do mosquitoes bite?

You may have heard before that mosquitoes are the “world’s deadliest animal.” Although you may think this is hyperbole, the fact is that in some parts of the world one child dies per minute due to diseases received via mosquito bite. Mosquitoes are known as “disease vectors” and their saliva can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika.

Knowing about mosquitoes and the diseases they spread is one thing, but understanding why mosquitoes bite can help us determine how to prevent mosquito bites. It’s easy to villainize mosquitoes, but the fact is they are just doing what nature intended them to do.

Have a mosquito problem? Western Exterminator pest control technicians know how to control mosquitoes around your home and property.

The first thing to understand is that only female mosquitoes bite. Although mosquitoes have both male and female sexes, the males do not bite. This is because female mosquitoes need blood in order to produce eggs. Therefore, the males, which do not produce eggs, require no blood and feast on flower nectar and plants.

Female mosquitoes don’t feed on blood for nutrition. Instead, they use the proteins in blood to develop their eggs. For energy and nourishment, both male and female mosquitoes rely on plant nectar. Once the eggs are ready, females lay them in standing water, where the mosquito life cycle begins.

How do mosquitoes bite?

Mosquitoes require the blood of animals to feed upon for reproductive purposes. Their senses allow them to follow the CO2 trail of humans and mammals in order to feast upon them. Humans and other mammals secrete chemicals in their breath and through their skin which can also attract mosquitoes to them.

Once the mosquito has landed upon the intended prey, they use their needle-like proboscis to pierce the skin. Mosquitoes have developed excellent senses to find just the right spot on a person’s skin. The best spot is where the outer layer of the dermis is easy to penetrate, giving easy access to a capillary or other blood vessel. Once the female mosquito has pierced the skin, she may move the proboscis around a bit to find the capillary and then open up the blood vessel to start the blood flow.

It’s at this point that the mosquito injects saliva into the wound. The saliva is where the potential viruses are found and how the mosquito transmits disease. Within the saliva is an anticoagulant. This stops the blood from clotting and makes sure the blood flows smoothly down into the mosquito's gut, where it is then processed into the protein needed to create eggs.

All of this happens very quickly and often without the person being bitten even realizing it’s happening. The itching and bumps come from the body reacting to the foreign substance (saliva) being injected into their system. The body then generates histamines to combat the substance, resulting in bumps and itching.

What attracts mosquitoes to humans?

Mosquitoes rely on their sense of smell, vision, and heat detection to find a blood meal. Several factors can make one person more appealing to mosquitoes than another. Things like body temperature, the carbon dioxide you exhale, and even the scent of your skin can play a role.

We all exhale CO₂, but larger individuals or those engaged in physical activity produce more of it, which can attract mosquitoes.

Warmer skin and movement help mosquitoes identify potential hosts.

Substances like lactic acid and ammonia in sweat can make someone more attractive to mosquitoes.

Different people have different types and amounts of bacteria on their skin. Some combinations release odors that are more appealing to mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are more likely to approach individuals wearing dark clothing, as it creates a strong contrast against the horizon.

What diseases do mosquito bites transmit?

While a mosquito bite might seem like a minor nuisance, in some cases it can lead to serious health issues. Mosquitoes are known carriers of several illnesses that can affect humans and animals. In the western U.S., the most common mosquito-borne disease is West Nile virus, which is reported every year in multiple states.

Other diseases mosquitoes can transmit include:

Zika virus Dengue fever
Chikungunya
Western equine encephalitis
St. Louis encephalitis

Bed bug bites vs. mosquito bites

When you wake up to find little red bumps on your skin, it can be difficult to determine what caused them. Just because you find them upon waking up doesn't necessarily mean they are bed bug bites. You could just as easily have been bitten by a mosquito during the night. Though both types of bites tend to itch, mosquito bites will start itching more immediately, while bed bug bites may take a few days to begin itching.

Another differentiating factor between bed bug bites and mosquito bites is the location of the bites. Mosquitoes will bite any part of the body not protected by clothing. Bed bugs, on the other hand, often leave behind groups bites arranged in a distinct pattern. These bite clusters are usually found on the neck, hands, arms, and legs. Lastly, mosquito bites often last for a shorter amount of time than bed bug bites.

How long do mosquito bites last?

Mosquito bites do not last very long unless the person suffers a severe allergic reaction to the bites. For most people, the bump and red mark will vanish within a week or two. Scratching the bite can also lead to secondary infection and cause the bites to last much longer. If the infection becomes severe enough, there can even be permanent scarring. However, this is very rare and usually only results from many, many bites.

Those who are sensitive to insect bites and stings should pay close attention to their mosquito bites. It is possible to have a very bad allergic reaction to the saliva injected and this can cause swelling, rashes and more severe allergic reactions. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately.

How to stop mosquito bites from itching

There are a few things you can use to stop mosquito bites from itching, including:

Rubbing alcohol - best used right after the bite. As the alcohol dries, it cools the area and can alleviate itching, also helping reduce the risk of infection.
Oatmeal - oatmeal baths can help alleviate the itching of numerous mosquito bites. Small amounts added to the bites can also provide some relief. The oatmeal should be washed off after about 15 minutes.
Honey - honey has numerous medicinal properties, one of which is reducing the itchiness of mosquito bites. They honey can also reduce the inflammation of the bite. Use this only indoors as the sweetness of the honey can attract more mosquitoes outside.
Aloe vera - you can use creams made from aloe vera, or keep aloe plants at home. Breaking off the thick leaves and squeezing the aloe vera onto the bites help reduce the swelling and offer relief from itching.
Antihistamines - because the body releases histamines to attack the saliva in the bite, taking over the counter antihistamines can help counter this and reduce itching. Make sure you are not allergic to these medications and consult a doctor about any medicine interactions.

Reducing the itching is crucial. The more someone itches a mosquito bite, the worse the itchiness gets, as the scratching causes the body to release more histamines.

Types of insect repellents that work against mosquitoes

Choosing the right mosquito repellent depends on how long you’ll be outside, where you’ll be, and what type of coverage you need.

DEET-based repellents are widely used and proven to offer long-lasting protection. They come in sprays, lotions, and wipes. Picaridin is a synthetic option that provides similar protection without a strong smell. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a plant-based ingredient that can be effective for shorter periods and is often found in natural repellent products.

For best results, use EPA-registered products and follow all label directions. If mosquito activity around your property becomes an issue, talk to our pest control experts about treatment options.

Stop mosquitoes with Western Exterminator

Western Exterminator offers solutions for your home and yard to get rid of mosquitoes. Our treatments target all of the hiding places mosquitoes like to use for resting during the hotter portions of the day. Our treatments can help reduce mosquito activity for weeks at a time, allowing you to enjoy your yard and summertime activities without worrying about bites.

To lower your risk of exposure, our residential pest control and commercial pest control solutions can help reduce mosquito activity around your property. Contact your local Western Exterminator for expert mosquito control. and talk to us about the mosquito issues you’ve had or been having.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/why-mosquito-bites-itch

Why do mosquitoes bite?