Nobody likes mosquitoes, but most people in the western world don’t think of them as a serious threat. These tiny bloodsuckers can do more than just ruin a pleasant summer evening outside.
Mosquitoes are so dangerous because of how quickly they can spread a blood-borne illness. A mosquito can become infected by a human and then go on to infect many other humans, all of whom can infect other humans, animals, and mosquitoes. When a nasty virus is introduced into the mix, things can get ugly quickly.
However, not every species of mosquito carries diseases that are a threat to humans. Viruses you’ve probably heard of, such as dengue and Zika, are only transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, for example.
If you want more information about whether or not mosquitoes carrying disease are a serious threat in your area, please check out the CDC website. Even if you’re lucky enough to live in an area with a low threat, mosquitoes can still be a huge bother. Luckily, there are other insect populations can help keep mosquitoes in check.