Are mosquitoes just a nuisance? Let's find out for sure! (Mosquitoes)

Is there anything more annoying than the "ween...n" sound you hear in your ears when you're trying to sleep at night? Yes, that mosquito. Who exactly is this little creature that bites you all over your body, leaves you with itchy blisters , and robs you of sleep? Whether you're out and about or at home, it seems like there's no escape from mosquitoes, right? Are they just annoying, or is there a story behind this little creature that we don't know? Let's talk about it today.

Who are these mosquitoes? Are they important to the environment?

Simply put, mosquitoes are insects that can fly. Scientifically, they belong to the same order as flies, called ``Diptera''.

Now you're probably thinking, "What's the point of mosquitoes?" As much as we hate them, they play an important role in our ecosystem. Just like bees, mosquitoes help pollinate some plants. That means they pollinate flowers and help seeds grow.

In addition, mosquitoes are an important link in the food chain in the environment. Mosquitoes are a good meal for animals such as dragonflies, turtles, bats, and birds.

So what do mosquitoes eat?

Many people think that mosquitoes live by drinking blood. But that's not entirely true. Mosquitoes' main food is sugars like nectar. Male mosquitoes don't drink blood for the rest of their lives. They live entirely on nectar.

However, it's a different story for female mosquitoes. Although they also usually live off nectar, they need extra nourishment when they lay their eggs . That's why they suck the blood of humans and animals to get that nourishment. So it's always a female mosquito that bites us.

What is the life cycle of mosquitoes like?

There are four main stages in the life of a mosquito: egg, larva, pupa, and adult mosquito. Water is essential for this entire process to occur.

1. Eggs: A female mosquito lays about 100 eggs at a time. These eggs are laid in places where water is present, just above the water level. Think of an old tire, a coconut shell, or a packet of chips, where there is moisture, even if there is no water. Surprisingly, these eggs can survive for about 8 months in dry weather.

2. Larva: When it rains or when we water, when water collects in the place where the eggs were laid, larvae come out of the eggs. We call these "diyalavo". They eat the small creatures in the water and gradually grow bigger.

3. Pupa: When the larvae grow a little bigger, they enter the pupa stage. This is when they undergo the final changes needed to become adult mosquitoes.

4. Adult: Finally, the adult mosquito emerges from the cocoon and begins to fly. Then, while the male mosquitoes search for nectar, the female mosquitoes come to us looking for some blood to lay their eggs.

What are the health risks to us from mosquitoes?

If you just bite a mosquito and scratch it, it's not much of a problem. But the problem is, mosquitoes are carriers of a lot of diseases. In Sri Lanka, when we think of mosquitoes, we think of dengue. But not only dengue, several other dangerous diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes.

Characteristics of a typical mosquito bite

Although not contagious, the following symptoms are common after a mosquito bite:

• Within a few minutes after eating , it turns red, slightly swollen, and looks like an itchy blister .
• This blister may become a slightly hard, itchy, red or brown bump .
• Sometimes it can even look like small water blisters .
• People with sensitive skin may also develop dark spots that look like bruises.

In general, the reaction to a mosquito bite can be more severe in young children and those with weakened immune systems .

What do you do if you get bitten by a mosquito?

The itching caused by a mosquito bite is very annoying. But if you try to pick at it with your fingernail, it can cause injury and infection. So try these things.

• First, wash the area thoroughly with soap.
• Apply an ice pack or apply cold water to reduce itching and swelling.
• You can also mix some baking soda with water at home to make a paste and apply it.
• You can also use an anti-itch or antihistamine cream that you can buy at the pharmacy.

How do you get rid of this mosquito problem?

It's better to find ways to avoid mosquitoes than to scold them. There are several things we can do for this.

1. Let's eliminate waterlogging!

This is the most important and effective method. If you take a walk around your garden and house, you will realize how many places mosquitoes can lay their eggs.

• Clean the gutters on the roof and make sure the water is draining properly.
• Remove discarded items like tires, yogurt cups, coconut shells, and cans from the garden.
• Check to see if water collects in the saucers under the flower pots and in the tray behind the refrigerator .
• Clean bird water bowls and animal water basins at least once every three days and add fresh water.
• Keep the water tank tightly closed.

2. Mosquito repellents and other methods

• Mosquito nets: This is the safest and best method. Be sure to use a mosquito net when sleeping, especially if you have small children.
• Body repellent: You can use body creams to protect yourself from mosquitoes when going outside, especially in the evening.
• Mosquito coils and liquids: These can be used to repel mosquitoes indoors. However, they should be used in a well-ventilated area.
• Insecticides: You can spray an insecticide like `(Permethrin)` in the areas where mosquitoes are most common in the garden. However, when using these, read the instructions carefully. Keep them out of reach of small children and pets. If anyone accidentally ingests these, immediately contact the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital .

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