With Summer fast approaching, those of us in Canada are starting to see an influx of mosquito activity. As mosquito season rears its ugly head right in the midst of the Zika epidemic, it's more important than ever to make sure there are barriers between you, your family and mosquitoes.
There are several different approaches one can take when trying to control mosquitoes. These options may include reducing the mosquito breeding areas, secondly reducing ones exposure to mosquitoes, and thirdly treating mosquitoes with effective control products, thus eliminating them all together.
The most effective way to avoid mosquito-borne infections and to prevent mosquito bites is to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Prevention is the first line of defence against West Nile, Zika, malaria, and other mosquito-borne infections.
Understanding the different stages of the mosquito’s life cycle can help prevent and effectively eliminate populations before they become a problem. All mosquito species have four distinct stages to their life cycle. Egg, Larvae, Pupa, and Adult. There are over 300 species of mosquitoes in the world. The most common and most dangerous, are the Culex mosquitoes. The Culex pipiens is the main carrier of the West Nile virus.
"The arrival of spring in Muskoka is a mixed blessing. All winter we’ve dressed to keep warm; now we get to dress to keep from being bitten."
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne infection. Infected mosquitoes can spread the virus to humans and other animals. West Nile virus is usually spread by the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. Most people who get West Nile virus experience no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms, but it can cause serious illness and there are few medical options to treat or prevent it.
LONDON (Reuters) - As the world focuses on Zika's rapid advance in the Americas, experts warn the virus that originated in Africa is just one of a growing number of continent-jumping diseases carried by mosquitoes threatening swathes of humanity.
