Mosquitoes are typically smaller than a shirt button, but they can pose big health risks. More than 200 species are found throughout North America, some of which can transmit West Nile virus and other viruses that cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 19,500 cases of West Nile have been reported in the United States, including more than 750 deaths, since the virus was first identified in New York in 1999. Serious symptoms of West Nile virus can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, convulsions, vision loss and paralysis; and the disease can even be fatal.
Furthermore, mosquitoes cause major health problems internationally by carrying and transmitting infectious agents that cause diseases such as malaria, elephantiasis, and yellow and dengue fevers.
“Not only are mosquitoes dangerous, but they’re also annoying, ranking among the most frequently encountered pests in American homes,” says Frank Meek, entomologist and Technical Director for Orkin, Inc. “It is important to protect yourself and your family against mosquitoes, especially...