Summer heat brings annoying mosquito bites

Summer is sizzling hot this year. The hot temperature is a health risk for humans, but it’s a haven for mosquitoes. According to the Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control, the hot weather allows mosquitoes to mature quicker. Hot temperature with water is just enough for mosquito babies to thrive.

Mosquitoes have four life stages: eggs, larvae, pupae and adult. The first three are developed in stagnant water. A mosquito egg normally takes 7-10 days to develop into an adult mosquito, but with the hot weather, mosquito eggs can become adults in fewer days.

Then the biting begins. Adult mosquitoes need your blood to continue its life cycle and continue producing more eggs. If there is water, the reproduction continues outdoors or indoors. AV Mosquito and Vector Control offers the following mosquito control measures:

• Eliminate sources of standing water around your property weekly.

• Dispose any unused items that can hold standing water.

• Keep windows and doors shut or properly screened to prevent mosquitoes in the home.

• Refresh pet water, bird baths and other permanent fixtures at least weekly.

• Keep pools, fountains, ponds and other water features fully maintained or completely dry throughout the season.

Additionally, stagnant water in planters inside the house can also be haven for mosquitoes. It does not take much water for mosquito eggs to complete its life cycle.

If you want to know more, visit http://www.avmosquito. org/how-you-can-help. You may also call 661-942-2917 to report mosquito nuisance and dirty pools. Your neighbor’s dirty pool can produce more than enough mosquitoes for the neighborhood and beyond.

Mosquito bites are more than just an itch and a nuisance. The saliva of an infected mosquito injected into your skin as it extracts blood from you can cause serious health problems. Mosquito-borne diseases include Zika virus, West Nile virus, dengue and malaria. Severe cases can be fatal.

Try not to scratch mosquito skin irritations. Use topical relief to ease the itch. A broken skin is an open door for more serious infections. Seek medical attention if mosquito bites are accompanied with high fever, severe headache, body aches and other signs of infection.

The good news is that you can do some things to protect yourself. If you live in areas where mosquitoes are everywhere, or if your work requires you to be outdoors most of the time, or you are going camping in the woods, take extra precautionary measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using insect repellent when mosquitoes are active.

According to the CDC, the most effective insect repellents in the US include one of these active ingredients:

• DEET.

• Icaridin, also called picaridin.

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus.

• IR3535.

• Para-menthane-diol.

• 2-Undecamone Whichever product you choose, read the label before application. If you choose a spray, apply outdoors and away from food. Apply insect repellent at least 20 minutes after using sunscreen. You may have to reapply insect repellent more than once in a day, according to instructions. Insect repellents are generally safe for children and adults, with some exception for infants.

I can’t stress it enough to read the accompanying instructions before use. And weather permitting, wear a hat, long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you are in areas where mosquitoes are active. Also, get the vaccinations that your healthcare provider suggests, especially before camping and travels. Be reminded that mosquitoes are attracted to flowery scents. Choose non-scented lotion for your camping trip.