While fall tends to reduce mosquito populations, days above 50oF will prompt activity by those genera that hibernate. Emily Singler, VMD, says the uptick of heartworm-positive cases in unusual locations makes educating and encouraging clients about year-round heartworm prevention more important than ever. Source: AAHA NEWStat, April 9, 2024. Link. Related: 10 cases of … [Read more...]
Search Results for: mosquito
Oak mites join chiggers, mosquitos, other insects as big annoyance for pets, humans
According to cicada expert Dr. Gene Kritsky, a particular mite known as the "oak leaf itch mite" can be seen in large amounts following a cicada emergence. The articles shared here offer information on these little critters known as Pyemotes herfsi. Oak leaf itch mites are nearly invisible to the naked eye (0.2 mm in length), but they are responsible for mite bite outbreaks in … [Read more...]
Mosquitos bug pigs, too
Mosquitos! Animal health pros often associate the pesky biting bugs with dogs and horses, but they are a problem for swine producers too. Jennifer Shike’s two articles address issues with mosquitos and controlling them around swine production sites. Sources: 9 ways to fight mosquitos on the farm, PORK, September 9, 2024. Link. Mosquitos are on the rise: Why pork … [Read more...]
You really are a mosquito magnet. Here’s what you can do about it.
Tired of getting bit up on an evening walk or working in the yard? New research proves mosquitos can pick you out in a crowd. Connie Chang shares research on the odors they’re drawn to, what scientists recommend to keep them away and how a future personalized repellant might work. . . . even in complex situations with multiple sources of odor, mosquitoes do seem to prefer some … [Read more...]
Alcohol ingestion stimulates mosquito attraction
Prompted by a past article in National Geographic <Link> we dug into the effect of beer and alcohol on mosquito attraction. And, yes, mosquitos choose alcohol drinkers over those drinking water but why is not known. Exhaled carbon dioxide is how mosquitoes lock onto you as a target, heat may be how they figure out where to bite you. Sources: Beer can make you a … [Read more...]
K-State nanotechnology takes a bite out of mosquitoes
Kansas State University entomologists have developed a way to couple silver, an antimicrobial, with zein, an agricultural waste product to kill mosquito larvae. If nanotechnology can be employed to control pests, it will greatly reduce the use of pesticides in the environment. And if researchers can find the right carriers for these nano-insecticides such as products that may … [Read more...]
The expanding threat of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases in shelter dogs
A recent study from the University of Georgia suggests that shelter dogs in the eastern U.S. may be disproportionately affected by the relentless spread of ticks and mosquitoes to new regions. Climate change is a factor as carriers expand their ranges. The resulting risks affect dogs and humans alike. Source: Vet Candy, September 2023. Link. The study underscores the vital … [Read more...]
12 plants and herbs that naturally repel mosquitoes
If the dry weather has burned out some landscape flowers, consider adding plants that repel mosquitoes ahead of the late summer and early fall biting frenzy. End-of-season discounts are generally available on remaining plants as fall approaches. . . . a lavender plant smells a whole lot nicer than a bottle of bug spray.” Source: Country Living, April 3, 2023. … [Read more...]
7 important facts about mosquitos and horses
Mosquitoes are likely more dangerous to horses than they are to humans. Reminding horse enthusiasts about Eastern-, Western- and Venezualian equine encephalomyelitis along with West Nile virus, Aimee Elyse Robinson shares seven important facts that tie to risk management for horses. Vaccinate proactively, move the air, removing standing water is not a cure-all, and avoid dawn … [Read more...]
Tired mosquitoes would rather sleep than bite
Researchers recently discovered that mosquitoes who have their sleep disrupted would rather get rest than go looking for their next meal. They found the mosquitoes in the research lab slept between 16 and 19 hours each day. Sleep was disturbed by vibrating the enclosures. Mosquitoes will pass up a meal when they are sleep deprived.” Source: Treehuggers, June 17, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
No rain? No problem for mosquitoes.
The thing about mosquitoes is they’re very diverse in the habitat they can modify to, and it’s their adaptive behaviors that allow them to be successful.” - Justin Talley, PhD Source: Drovers, May 26, 2022. Link. 3 of 5 core equine diseases are spread by mosquitoes. EEE, WEE and VEE are spread to horses by mosquitoes, which feed on infected birds and rodents that serve as the … [Read more...]
Plants that keep mosquitoes away
Plants that keep away mosquitoes and provide food, for both wildlife and humans, are ideal for home environments. In addition to tasting great and reducing the mosquito population, they provide us with the options to offset the use of some chemicals. Among the plants listed are lavender, basil, thyme and rosemary. Source: Countryside, May 16, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Mosquito-borne virus an ordeal for Australian swine producers
Swine producers are fighting with a new virus that challenges even the best biosecurity. Flooding and wet conditions have supported an increase in mosquitoes which carry the virus. Source: PORK, April 5, 2022. Link. The Japanese encephalitis virus is a flavivrus in the same family as West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. The … [Read more...]
How mosquitoes avoid pesticides designed to kill them
Scent memories could make mosquito populations trickier to manage.” Source: Science, February 23, 2022. Link. Researchers exposed hundreds of mosquitoes to five common pesticides at doses strong enough to knock them down but not kill them. After one day of recovery, the experienced mosquitoes didn’t enter pesticide-laced areas even when tempted with food. INSIGHTS: Will … [Read more...]
Clouds of mosquitoes killing livestock, deer in Louisianna
Exhausted from constant moving, bleeding under their skin and anemic from swarming mosquito bites, horses, cattle and deer across southwest Louisiana are dying from mosquito bites. The swarms are part of the aftermath of hurricane Laura. Source: Huffington Post, September 11, 2020. Link. Luckily for humans, the species of mosquitoes that are swarming don’t transmit human … [Read more...]
Protect horses from mosquitoes and biting flies
No single insect control strategy cures all the pest problems on a horse property, says Nancy S. Loving, DVM. It takes a compilation of approaches to keep horses bothered as little as possible during insect season. She presents a variety of pest control options from fans to parasitoids to Muscovy ducks. Environmental management is essential to reduce insect population … [Read more...]
10 fun facts about mosquitoes
Fun? Well maybe for an entomologist. ;-) Animal health pros are the perfect sources to CONFIDENTLY help animal owners decrease the risk from mosquito-borne diseases. But, products on the shelf or not discussed never repel or kill one of the pests. Talk about them. Mid-summer is the peak time for mosquitoes!” Source: The Outdoor Wear, July 16, 2020. Link. People with Type O … [Read more...]
Plants that repel mosquitoes
You don’t have to be a homesteader to appreciate plants that can repel mosquitoes and can be eaten by humans or animals. Kenny Coogan reviews a dozen plants that fit this description. Source: Countryside, May 24, 2020. Link. Dual purpose plants provide us with the viable option of not using harmful chemicals to repel those bloodsuckers” – Kenny Coogan INSIGHTS: If you have … [Read more...]
9 mosquito myths debunked
Jason Cameron and Amy Lawhorne tackle myths about mosquitoes and share ways to help protect you and your family. They share the 7 Ts of mosquito control. Tip Toss Turn Remove Tarps Take care Team up Treat Source: diy Network, link. INSIGHTS: This is good information for social media posts, e-newsletters and websites. Consider sharing it with … [Read more...]
Keep those mosquitos away
Mosquitoes are a worldwide problem and the solutions are the same no matter where you live. The best way to avoid mosquito borne diseases, such as heartworm, is to keep the mosquitos away. Protecting animals from vector mosquitoes remains an animal health priority. Here are two references to consider as you deal with the pesky bugs. Source: How to keep mosquitoes away, … [Read more...]
Worm bacteria may help control mosquitoes
The chemical DEET has been our first and best line of defense against mosquitoes since the 1940s. Now a strain of bacteria that lives inside a common parasitic worm could play an important role in the fight against mosquitos. A study published in Science Advances < link > has found that a compound derived from these bacteria is three times more potent than DEET in repelling … [Read more...]
Giant mosquitoes flourish in post-hurricane flood waters
Reports of giant mosquito sightings add to the confusion of dealing with post-hurricane damage,. Mosquito biologist Michael Reiskind explains why these gallinippers, often three times larger than normal mosquitoes, are showing up in the receding flood waters. Source: The Conversation, October 11, 2018. Link. The gallinippers belong to a genus of mosquitoes that specialize … [Read more...]
Mosquito emoji to benefit public and researchers
The AHD team has presented posts about mosquitoes and how they affect animals and humans five times in past two years. Link. Our friends at QUARTZ did a great job summarizing how the 3,000 known mosquito species are the deadliest animals in the world. They also note the importance of an upcoming mosquito emoji that will help researchers communicate via social media about the … [Read more...]
How mosquitoes use six needles to suck blood (includes video)
View the video for yourself and then decide how you might use this to help strengthen the heartworm and West Nile virus prevention positioning including the need to stop the mosquito before it seeks a blood meal. Seen up close, the anatomy of a mosquito bite is terrifying. The most dangerous animal in the world uses six needle-like mouthparts to saw into our skin, tap a blood … [Read more...]
Horses need vaccination to reduce risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Owners often fail to do so.
An ongoing effort is needed to alert North American owners to the risks that mosquito-borne diseases pose to their horses and the need for vaccination, writes Peter Timoney, Gluck Equine Research Center. He says the two most common causes of brain inflammation in North America are Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) and West Nile Encephalitis (WNE) viruses. Despite the AAEP … [Read more...]
Mosquito repellents from DEET to gin and tonic
Protecting animals and humans from mosquito bites is important as the insects can be vectors for multiple diseases. Mosquito repellants can help. Research completed in 2015 and updated in 2017 <link> shows that products containing DEET proved effective and lasted for a relatively long time but there are alternatives too. DEET isn't the only weapon. Products containing … [Read more...]
Protect yourself from mosquito, tick and other bug bites (video)
The CDC reports the rate of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases has tripled over the past decade. Share this video on websites, social media and in targeted e-blasts. Include a pet message as well. Source: NBC News, June 8, 2018. Link. The video shares 5 tips for protecting yourself from bugs: Cover up Use insect repellent Replace outdoor lights with yellow bug … [Read more...]
Bats really do eat a lot of mosquitoes (includes video)
A recently published study by University of Wisconsin researchers found that bats they studied ate 17 types of mosquitoes, including nine that are potential carriers of the West Nile Virus. They studied two species of bats; the little brown bat and the big brown bat. The study was published in the Journal of Mammalogy. Source: Wisconsin State Journal, May 22, 2018. … [Read more...]
Fight mosquitoes, help fellow humans
Population control methods we now see as emerging practices in animal health are rooted in a lengthy history of reducing human risk from malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. Since 2007, Bill Gates has been seeking solutions to age-old mosquito challenges. He remains hopeful we can eradicate malaria and the mosquitoes that carry it. Source: LinkedIn, August 16, … [Read more...]
Steve Dale talks mosquitoes (includes videos)
Mosquito prevention and the Double Defense protocol are covered by Steve Dale, CABC and host of the syndicated radio programs, Steve Dale’s Pet World and The Pet Minute that air on more than 100 stations. The video is something you can use to educate clients. Consider sharing it via websites, blogs and social media posts. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, July 31, 2017. It is … [Read more...]