Mosquitoes are ridiculously irritating and annoying, but unfortunately, that’s not even close to the full extent of their negative effects.
These small creatures are decidedly dangerous for their size, and they transmit all sorts of harmful and potentially deadly diseases and illnesses to a wide variety of people, regardless of age.
In fact, it would not be remiss to label mosquitoes some of the deadliest insects on the planet.
Mosquitoes are essentially small flying insects that belong to the Culicidae family.
Both male and female members of the species feed on plants and fruit, but the female members also are the ones that bite human or animals as they require protein found in their blood.
This protein boosts egg development. Female mosquitoes drink until they are full, then take a few days to rest before laying these eggs – often at up to 300 eggs per time.
Through their bites, mosquitoes have the ability to transmit a large number of infectious diseases.
Here are the three most dangerous of them.
1. Dengue fever
This virus can only be spread through the Aedes mosquito, which is marked with distinct white stripes.
It is commonly transmitted in tropical climates – as well as subtropical ones – and infects approximately 390 million individuals annually.
Although many can successfully make a recovery, there is no specific vaccine or even treatment available for the disease.
2. Malaria
Malaria is a parasite you may have heard before, especially in relation to those living in sub-Saharan Africa.
Fever-like symptoms will develop approximately 10 to 15 days post-bite, and this condition is extremely deadly.
Statistics suggest that around 600 million people pass away from Malaria yearly, and a large number of these victims are, sadly, children.
3. West Nile Virus
This disease is spread through Culex mosquitoes, and it is one that affects and attacks the central nervous system.
Since the first case of this virus was discovered in the United States, more than 42,000 cases have been reported.
No vaccine exists for the West Nile Virus, but treatment is available.
Naturally, knowing everything you know about mosquitoes, you’ll want to keep them away.
But loading on mosquito repellant can be costly and may not even be 100% guaranteed to work.
If you’re looking to keep these pesky and dangerous bugs away from your home – or even if you’re heading out camping somewhere that they’ll be out and about – making a DIY trap may be a better, more convenient, and all around cheaper option.
This trap is incredibly easy to make and uses items you’ll likely already have lying around your home.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A two-liter empty plastic bottle
- A knife
- A cup of warm water
- A quarter cup of brown sugar
- A quarter teaspoon of yeast
Sounds simple, right? Here’s how to set this trap up!
Using your knife – make sure it’s sharp! – cut the two-liter plastic bottle approximately one third down.
In the bottom half of the cut bottle, fill with your warm water, brown sugar, and yeast.
Grab the top half of the cut bottle and flip it over upside down onto the lower half.
The mixture of water, sugar, and yeast will easily draw mosquitoes to it, leading them to fall into the trap!
Mosquito bites seem merely irritating, but they can potentially transmit diseases – some of which may be very dangerous.
As such, it’s a good idea to keep this idea for an easy, cheap DIY trap in mind to help keep yourself, your friends, and your family safe!