Monthly Archives: August 2020

Even with proper precautions, sometimes mosquito bites happen. Most mosquito bites are an itchy nuisance that can ruin your time outside.

When a mosquito bites you, it pierces the skin using its mouthpiece. This mouthpiece, called a proboscis, is long, skinny, and is used to collect blood that female mosquitoes need in order to lay their eggs. While the mosquito is feeding, it injects saliva into your skin. Your body reacts to the saliva which causes the signature bump and itching commonly associated with mosquito bites.

Some people have only a mild reaction to a bite or bites. Other people have “Skeeter Syndrome” which causes more intense reactions, and a large area of swelling, soreness, and redness occurs. You likely won’t need to see a doctor for a mosquito bite unless you develop other symptoms associated with mosquito-borne illnesses.

If you find yourself the unlucky recipient of mosquito bites, there’s a couple of simple tricks you can use to lessen the itch:

Don’t scratch. Mosquito bites can be extremely itchy, and it can be very tempting to scratch them. Scratching a mosquito bite can make you feel itchier. When you scratch, your immune system releases compounds that create even more swelling and itching.

Try a topical. There’s a variety of topical lotions that can be applied to help ease the itch of mosquito bites. Calamine lotion, which is made of zinc oxide, is one of the most used topicals used on mosquito bites. You can also try hydrocortisone cream.  Keep in mind that topicals will wear off after a few hours, and when they do, the itchy feeling will return. You must reapply according to the product’s guidelines in order to continue to feel relief. Most topicals appropriate for mosquito bites are available over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Oral antihistamines. Taking an oral antihistamine can give all-over relief by calming your body’s response to histamines, the compounds that cause itching. Antihistamines can make you drowsy, so only take as directed or look for a non-drowsy formula designed to be taken during the day, like Claritin or Zyrtec.

Use ice. Cold acts as a vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts the blood vessels. You can use this to your advantage by applying an ice pack to the area near mosquito bites. This will reduce the swelling and itching and give you temporary relief. Remember to wrap your ice pack in a soft cloth or towel before applying to the affected area, and don’t leave the ice pack on for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

Use a teabag. Like ice, a tea bag soaked in cold water will reduce blood flow to the surface of your skin and reduce swelling to ease the itchiness of mosquito bites. Some teas may also contain compounds called tannins, which help reduce swelling. Put a teabag (preferably black tea as it contains the most tannins) in very cold water until the bag is fully soaked through. Squeeze the tea bag without tearing it to remove excess liquid and apply it to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat as needed.

As the saying goes, the best treatment is prevention. Having your outdoor space treated professionally for mosquitoes can improve your outdoor experience and help prevent itchy mosquito bites. Visit Mosquito Joe of Walpole-Waltham online or give us a call at 508-669-0271 to learn more about our treatment options and how we can make outside fun again for you and your family.

You know that mosquitoes bite and sometimes carry diseases, but what else do you know about them? Here are 10 facts about mosquitoes that you probably didn’t know.

1. New York, NY is the buggiest city in the U.S. According to a recent list, the Big Apple was determined to be the city most bothered by bugs. Boston, MA was number 2.
2. Mosquitoes are known to have existed 400 million years ago. Remember in the movie Jurassic Park when the scientist collects blood from a mosquito that had been preserved in amber after biting a dinosaur? The movie might not have been so far off. In 2019, a mosquito that had been preserved in amber for 100 million years was discovered. That mosquito, which may have been carrying malaria, can help scientists understand the ancient history of malaria, which may offer clues on how its modern-day life cycle evolved.
3. The average mosquito takes in about 5-millionths of a liter of blood during feeding. It’s pretty amazing that such a small insect that takes such a small amount of blood from a host can cause so much harm. Nevertheless, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) are just a couple of the viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes.
4. There are several ways mosquitoes find hosts. Detecting infra-red radiation emitted by warm bodies is one way mosquitoes find hosts. Mosquitoes are also attracted to carbon dioxide and lactic acid in humans and can identify them at distances of up to 50 feet. Bigger people are often more attractive to mosquitoes because they are larger targets and they produce more CO2 and lactic acid. Active or fidgety people also produce more CO2 and lactic acid.
5. There are 8 types of mosquitoes commonly found in Massachusetts. That’s just a small portion of the mosquitoes that exist – there are about 3,500 species of mosquitoes!
6. Male mosquitoes feed on plants, but females need a blood meal before they can lay eggs. Only female mosquitoes bite.
7. Malaria, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, infects around 250 million people each year worldwide. It kills about one million, mostly children in Africa. While malaria has been eradicated in the United States and other counties, those traveling to sub-Saharan Africa have the greatest risk of contracting the disease. We recognize the risk that mosquitoes pose, so Mosquito Joe is a proud partner of Nothing But Nets, a non-profit organization that sends insecticide-treated bed nets to people at risk of contracting malaria.
8. The last outbreak of yellow fever, another mosquito-borne illness, in the United States was in 1905. The city of New Orleans was trying to prevent the disease by fumigating all the ships that came to port there. A smuggler’s ship full of bananas avoided the quarantine and not long after cases began to emerge among Italian immigrants who unloaded banana boats.
9. Some kinds of mosquitoes can fly 1.5 miles per hour. Although you may be able to outrun one mosquito, protecting yourself with repellant and appropriate clothing is much easier!
10. Crane flies are not a type of mosquito. Although they look like huge mosquitoes, Crane flies are not mosquitoes. They do not bite humans – in fact, they don’t bite at all!

While these facts are fun, getting bit by mosquitoes is not. Visit us online to learn more about our treatment options and how we can make outside fun again for you and your family. To add an extra layer of defense against mosquitoes, give us a call at Mosquito Joe of Walpole-Waltham today at 508-669-0271!

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. It is most common in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions and the upper Midwest. In Massachusetts, Lyme disease occurs throughout the state.

It is caused by bacteria that are spread by tiny, infected black-legged (otherwise known as deer) ticks. Most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs. Nymphs are tiny (less than 2 mm) which makes them hard to see. Adult ticks can also transmit Lyme disease bacteria, but they are larger and more likely to be noticed and removed before they have had time to transmit the bacteria. While nymphs feed during the late spring and summer months, adult ticks are most active in the early spring and fall. It is important to remember that ticks can bite anytime temperatures are above freezing!

In order for a person to get Lyme disease, the infected tick typically has to be attached to a person for at least 24 hours before it can spread the bacteria. Black-legged ticks are capable of spreading more than one type of germ in a single bite. In Massachusetts, they can also carry the germs that cause babesiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis.

Symptoms of early Lyme disease usually begin to appear from 3 to 30 days after being bitten by an infected tick.  If untreated, late symptoms may occur from weeks to years after the initial infection. The most common early symptom is a rash where the tick was attached.  It can start as a small red area that spreads outward, clearing up in the center so it looks like a bullseye or donut. The rash may clear up and then appear in other places on the body. Early symptoms also include fever, headache, stiff neck, sore and aching muscles, and joints, fatigue, and swollen glands. Even though these symptoms may go away by themselves without medical treatment, oftentimes people with Lyme disease will experience more serious problems later on.

Early treatment is extremely important for people who contract Lyme disease. If left untreated, people who become infected can develop late-stage symptoms. About 60% of people with untreated Lyme disease get arthritis in their knees, elbows, or wrists.  The arthritis can move from joint to joint and is often chronic. Meningitis, facial weakness (Bell’s palsy), and weakness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. These symptoms can last for months, often shifting between mild and severe. A slowing heart rate and fainting can also be an early or late symptom.

Most patients with Lyme disease respond well to a three-to-four-week course of oral antibiotics. People with certain neurological or cardiac forms of illness may require intravenous treatment with antibiotics. Although most cases can be cured with a course of oral antibiotics, patients can sometimes have symptoms of pain, fatigue, or difficulty thinking that lasts for more than 6 months after they finish treatment. This condition is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). Unfortunately, there is no proven treatment for PTLDS. Patients with PTLDS usually get better over time, but it can take many months to feel completely well.

If you are tired of your outside keeping you inside, give Mosquito Joe of Walpole-Waltham a call today at 508-669-0271 or request a free quote today!

Best Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites

Mosquito bites are more than annoying, itchy blemishes. Mosquitoes carry deadly diseases like West Nile virus and EEE, so avoiding mosquito bites is important when you’re outdoors. Luckily there are several ways to avoid mosquito bites this summer.

Use insect repellent. Even being outside a short time can be long enough to get a mosquito bite. There are a variety of safe and effective repellents on the market that can help you avoid mosquito bites. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective when used as directed. Be sure to choose an EPA-registered repellent that has DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone as the active ingredient. Make sure to follow directions on the label. If mosquitoes are biting you, reapply repellent, or think about going inside.

Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning to avoid mosquito bites. Consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times if possible.

Cover up. Wearing long sleeves, pants, and socks can help you avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent will give extra protection. Always read the ingredients on your repellent and only apply to clothes or to the skin underneath clothes if safe to do so. There are many summer weight garments available, so be sure to choose clothing that will protect your skin but won’t be too hot!

Use netting. There are many mosquito net products available to help you avoid mosquito bites. Hats, drapes, screen houses, and even full suits give you extra protection from bites while you’re camping, hiking, or enjoying the outdoors. Effective mosquito nets are made with a fine enough mesh to keep mosquitoes from biting you while still allowing airflow inside the net. Some nets are treated with repellent and others are not. Whether you decide to use a treated or untreated net is completely up to you, however, the extra protection provided by a coated net can be worth it.

Stay away from standing water. Mosquitoes like to breed in standing water. Draining standing water decreases the mosquito population in your yard and lessens your chance of getting a bite. Empty buckets, clear water from tarps, and change the water in outdoor pet water dishes often to avoid breeding mosquitoes.  When camping, avoid staying overnight near freshwater swamps.

Treat your yard. Having your yard treated by a professional can eliminate biting mosquitoes. Treatments can last for up to 21 days and are available to residential and commercial properties. Barrier sprays that kill mosquitoes on contact and bond to foliage are ideal. They also act as a mosquito repellent for weeks to come. Make sure the treatment you choose is safe for pets and kids.

If you are tired of your outside keeping you inside, give Mosquito Joe of Walpole-Waltham a call today at 508-669-0271 or request a free quote at https://walpole-waltham.mosquitojoe.com/.