Mosquitoes are out

From Plumas County News
May 21, 2018

People encouraged to protect themselves

Mosquito season is in full swing and the insects aren’t just nuisances, they can be dangerous.

There’s a whole list of diseases they carry depending on the insect — Zika, West Nile, Malaria and others. Of course it can depend on what part of the United States or which foreign country someone visits for some, but other disease opportunities are right here in Plumas County and the state.

Mosquitoes

It seems there is a scientific reason why mosquitoes like some people and almost never bite others — it’s all in the blood. Or rather close to it.

Actually there are two main reasons why mosquitoes are attracted to some people and not others.

Sight and smell seem to have a lot to do with why a mosquito is attracted to particular humans.

Mosquitoes use their eyes to find a target, according to Jonathan Day, a professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida in Vero Beach. Especially in the late afternoon, mosquitoes are more apt to be out scouting for food.

Read more