How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites are not just itchy bumps that form on your skin when you get bitten by one of these insects. They can be very dangerous if you scratch them too much because infection can set in from the poison the insect leaves with the bite. This could mean a trip to the doctor and a regimen of antibiotics. Mosquitoes also carry life-threatening diseases such as malaria and Dengue Fever. These diseases are not common in North America and are usually found in the tropics. However, one concern with mosquito bites in North America is the threat of West Nile Virus and this is one great reason to have a mosquito control system installed in your backyard.

Methods of Mosquito Control

The ways people try to control the mosquito population in the backyards are very diverse. If you have any standing water, you will probably experience high incident of mosquito bites. There are various repellents on the market that you coat yourself with before going outdoors. Many people enclose the patio with netting, but this does not do anything to help you enjoy your backyard or spend time gardening. There are many spraying and misting systems that help control these biting insects. The method you use depends on the size of your yard, the length of time you spend outdoors and of course, your budget.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus

Deaths have occurred as a result of bites from mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus. Only about 25% of people actually develop the full-blown disease, but some of the symptoms you can watch for include:

• High fever
• Tiredness
• Aches and pains
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph glands

The illness can range from a few days to a few weeks.