If you're planning on going outside anytime soon, you just as well bathe in bug repellent first. After the warmer than usual winter of 2011, experts and pest controllers everywhere predicted a very "buggy" summer. Anyone that's been outside this year will know they were right. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, there are over 3,000 different species of these pesky insects, and at least 200 of them can be found in the United States. Mosquitoes are annoying, nasty, and very dangerous insects.
To start with, mosquitoes, in my opinion, are the most annoying insects known to man. But hey, if you enjoy blood sucking, miniature flies buzzing around your head while you're trying to enjoy the great outdoors, that's completely your decision. I'm not judging the mosquito lovers out there, I'm just saying I'd rather be able to mow the lawn in peace, instead of running the lawn mower into the creek while trying to scratch all those little irritating bites. To be such a small creature, mosquitoes are great at ruining afternoon leisure time. You may even go as far as saying they're professionals at it. Wouldn't it be great to have a nice family cookout without those uninvited, bloodthirsty guests?
These things are downright nasty. Worst of all: They often like to travel in groups. Hundreds of filthy mosquitoes, buzzing around every inch of your body, just waiting to strike. For those of you that live on farms, you may have noticed they love to hang around ponds and livestock. Have you ever looked out the back door, to find that your pond has disappeared into a swarm of thick blackness? Not only do they make themselves at home on your cows' backs, they feed off them as well. Do you really want to drink the milk of an innocent cow that's been sucked of it's blood by these disgusting pests?
Sure, they're annoying. They're gross. As if this isn't bad enough, they're also lethal. Mosquitoes carry tons of diseases, the most common one known as the West Nile Virus. This virus can be transmitted to both humans and farm animals. If you happen to cross paths with one of these disease ridden bugs, I wish you luck. You can expect to break out into a painful rash, followed by severe headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea. In extreme cases, one tiny, itchy bump can even result in death. Now, I'm not trying to scare you. I'm simply trying to encourage you to drench yourself in bug spray before you leave the safety of your home. Although bug spray is sticky and smelly, I think we can all agree that it's better than laying in a hospital bed. Right?
There are simple ways to protect yourself and your livestock from the latest mosquito outbreak. There are many different types of spray you can apply directly to your body. Don't want to feel sticky? Repellent can be bought in a spray that is to be used in the air around you, rather than on you. As far as livestock and pet protection, minimize the amount of time they are exposed to mosquito infested areas, and reduce the amount of standing water near your home. With these few, easy precautions, you can win the war against mosquitoes!
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