CDC Issues Warnings About Mosquitoes!

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently issued warnings about mosquitoes.  Just a quick reminder - this happens every year once we get to the really warm months.  Why is that?

First of all, a little Mosquitoes 101…

Mosquitoes suck.  That isn’t a slang term, mosquitoes actually ‘suck’ the blood out of their victims.  They do not bite, but the anesthetic they inject as they insert their straw mouth in your skin causes a reaction which forms an itchy, annoying welt.  Some people are magnets for mosquitoes and others rarely get bitten.  But we have all been affected at some point by these blood suckers with small, itchy bumps that will not stop itching!  But at what point do mosquitoes cross the line from ‘annoying pest’ to a ‘health threat’?

It all boils down to Disease.  Mosquitoes carry a slew of diseases.  They suck the blood of one victim and then insert their straw-like mouths in another victim and that creates the opportunity to pass disease between victims.  If there weren’t diseases involved, mosquitoes would just be a colossal pest but if these annoying, itchy welts also made you very sick, that is completely different.

Every year, West Nile Virus is in the headlines.  West Nile Virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes.  It can range from flu-like symptoms to the threat of death for those who are already compromised.  It starts in July, builds in August, and is a full-blown media darling once we get to September.  West Nile Virus exists within the United States and is often exchanged back and forth between humans and birds.  There were 5 reported deaths from West Nile Virus in the US in 2024 which translate to .000000001% of the population. 

Yet this year, we have some other fears to worry about – Chikungunya Disease is also a mosquito-spread disease and there is always Zika that comes around every so often.  Granted, mosquitoes are the number one deadliest creature on the planet so what is a real fear and what is attracting scared viewers for advertising dollars?  There have been no cases of Chikungunya Disease originating in the US since 2019 and no cases ever of Zika originating in the US.  Hmmm…

So, should you avoid mosquitoes? ABSOLUTELY!  Who wants mosquito ‘bites’? Nobody!

Should you use harsh chemical pesticides like DEET to repel mosquitoes?  NO! Actually, DEET is more of a health threat than mosquito borne disease (but that is another discussion)!

To control mosquitoes for your personal space, use Greenbug for People/Pets.

To control mosquitoes on your patio, spray with Greenbug Ready to Use or Greenbug Concentrate properly diluted.

To control mosquitoes on your entire property, get a Greenbug System that offers Automatic Pest Control through your irrigation system.

Control mosquitoes using all-natural ingredients found in Greenbug.