Let’s talk about Michigan mosquitoes: are they eating you alive? Here is what you need to know

Every time I walk into my garden, I am inundated with mosquitoes.

Even though it’s the middle of the day. The little fellows are fierce and that drives me crazy.

Part of the increase in mosquitoes is due to the weather we have had. And to my dismay, there could be even more rain on our way.

So what can you do to keep mosquitoes away? I found some resources and thought it might be worth sharing. Hope the information can help you too.

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Prevent mosquito bites

Mosquitoes are not only obnoxious, they also carry the risk of transmitting diseases to humans and animals.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause serious illness,” said Dr Joneigh Khaldun, medical director and deputy chief health officer at MDHHS. “We urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA registered insect repellant outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present if possible and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs. legs to avoid bites. “

So what can you do to prevent stings? Michigan officials suggest the following steps be taken:

• Apply insect repellents containing the active ingredient DEET or other EPA approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and light-colored long pants when you are outdoors. Apply insect repellant to clothing to help prevent stings.

• Maintain screens on windows and doors to help keep mosquitoes out.

• Drain water from mosquito breeding sites around the house, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.

Mosquito-borne diseases (arbovirus)

Arboviruses are a group of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, or other arthropods. Michigan tracks the following:

Jamestown Canyon Virus (JVC)

Mosquitoes collected from Bay, Oakland and Saginaw counties tested positive for JCV in June, Michigan officials said.

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JCV sickened three Michigan residents in 2020. Most cases occur from late spring to mid-fall. Diseases can develop within days to two weeks after a bite from an infected mosquito. Most people don’t get sick.

Symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue. In rare cases, JVC can cause serious disease of the brain and / or spinal cord, including encephalitis and meningitis.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)

According to Michigan officials, EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. It has a 33% death rate in people who get sick.

Most people who are infected do not develop any symptoms. However, the symptoms that people may experience include chills, fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain. The illness can last up to two weeks.

Fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. Less than 1% of those infected will develop serious neurological disease.

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In 2020, four human cases of EEE were reported. There have been 41 cases of EEE in animals reported.

West Nile virus (WNV)

In 2020, 32 cases of WNV were reported in Michigan. None have been confirmed so far in 2021.

Most people infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms. When people get sick, symptoms include headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with this type of WNV make a full recovery.

Less than 1% of those infected will develop serious neurological disease. Symptoms include headache, high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis.

Click here to view the end-of-year summary of arboviruses in Michigan in 2020.

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Mosquitoes lay eggs in or near standing water

Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce. That is why you should dump, scrub, or cover any items that hold water.

Standing water is often found in old tires, buckets, planters, toys, swimming pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers or garbage cans.

Mosquitoes can complete their life cycle in about a week. The CDC recommends using an outdoor bug spray designed to kill adult mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are often found in dark, damp areas.

Can’t get rid of standing water? Larvicides are an option

If you can’t get rid of standing water where you live, you have another option: larvicides.

Larvicides work by killing mosquito larvae and pupae before they grow into pesky adults. According to the CDC, if you use larvicides correctly, they don’t harm people, pets, or the environment.

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Larvicides come in the form of liquids, tablets, pieces, pellets, granules and briquettes. You use them by applying them where mosquitoes lay eggs (i.e. anywhere there is standing water). This can include rain buckets and barrels, fountains, gutters or downspouts, non-chlorinated pools, pool covers that collect water, tires, and tree holes.

Use larvicides to treat standing water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered, poured or removed.

Click here to find out more on emerging disease issues in Michigan