Mythbusting Mosquito Myths – Some Common Misconceptions About Mosquitoes

People in Portland have always been annoyed by mosquitoes, among numerous other pests found in the region. Because of such annoyance, several theories have been built around mosquitoes that try to explain their behavior.

However, it is hard to determine which ones are true and which ones are false, as so many tips and tricks claim to deal with the mosquito problem effectively.

Many people, therefore, rely on Saela Pest Control services to deal with pest infestations without attempting DIY methods on their own, which does not guarantee the desired outcome, and the effectiveness of these methods is always a question.

Debunking Myths About Mosquitoes

To help people separate fact from fiction, we are going to debunk some common myths about mosquitoes in this blog that will help people have a better understanding of mosquito behavior and proceed accordingly.

  1. “Both Female and Male Mosquitoes Bite Humans”

Out of the species that feed on humans, only female mosquitoes bite. Sucking on blood from humans is a part of their cycle, and females require the protein from human blood to produce eggs, and a new generation altogether then comes up that again follows the same feeding cycle on us.

The male species, on the other hand, relies on nectar from flowers and other sources as their diet.

  1. “Fair Skin People are More Prone to be Bitten”

When a person gets bitten by a mosquito, a small red bump develops, which is caused due to a component present in the saliva of a mosquito that does not let the blood clot while they are sucking. 

Many fair people believe that they are more popular among such pests because of the stronger reaction, which looks as if fair people are more prone to mosquito bites, but that is not the case. It is just that the bites are more apparent on their skin.

  1. “Mosquitoes Will Bite People Irrespective of Their Size”

Mosquitoes do actually prefer large people over more petite people, which is why men are more likely to get bitten than women and adults more than children. It is because more giant humans emit more body heat and higher quantities of carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes in the first place. 

Moreover, larger people also provide more total surface area for mosquitoes to feed upon, which is the exact reason why pregnant women get more mosquito bites.

  1. “Mosquitoes Have a Preference When It Comes to Blood Type”

You may have heard people say, “I get more bitten by mosquitoes because of my Type-O blood” or “ I am more preferred because of my sweet blood.” In reality, mosquitoes do not really prefer a specific blood type or sweetness.

They feed on blood to get protein for breeding purposes, not sugar. Some genetic facets may have an effect, but they certainly do not affect the blood type.

  1. “All Mosquitoes Carry Disease with Themselves”

Based on some estimates, there are about 3,500 species of mosquitoes existing around the world, but most of those species do not even bite humans. 

Out of those that do actually feed on humans, only females are doing the biting work. So, indeed, not all mosquitoes are transmitting disease. Most human-biting species are capable of carrying disease, but only a fraction of that population harbor viruses.

  1. “Attracting Bats is an Effective Way to Eliminate Mosquitoes”

For years, people have been suggesting that one effective way to get rid of mosquito infestation is by attracting bats to the yard. Allowing bats to take shelter in your yard is excellent as they are endangered species, too, but it is not going to solve your mosquito problem.

The myth probably emerged from the studies where bats were put in a room with nothing but mosquitoes. Then, of course, the bats would feed on them because that is the only food source available.

Annoyed by Mosquitoes? Here is the Solution!

The best and most effective way to get rid of mosquito infestation is by hiring professionals. Contact a pest control service and let them handle the situation for you.