Can a Swarm of Mosquitoes Kill You?
WouterDespite its relatively harmless appearance, a swarm of mosquitoes can be deadly. They carry devastating diseases that can rob you of your life. Among the many diseases mosquitoes can spread are malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. Some mosquitoes can even cause bleeding under the skin.
A swarm of mosquitoes can suck enough blood from you to put you in hypovolemic shock. This is when you lose about one-fifth of your blood. It leads to major organ failures. It is estimated that a human would need to lose between five and ten pints of blood to die.
The Asian tiger mosquito is an invasive species in North America. It can grow up to two inches long and can deliver an excruciating sting. It has been found in Blaine, Washington, in December.
A swarm of mosquitoes is usually reported after a hurricane. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that large mosquito populations are often seen after hurricanes. The swarms are usually a sign that there are thousands of mosquitoes on a property. They are usually controlled by pest control experts.
Some people believe that mosquitoes are not as dangerous as other insects because they can’t reach other insects. However, some mosquitoes can carry debilitating diseases. They can also suck blood from people with certain blood types, and they can cause a rash.
There are actually over three hundred species of mosquitoes in the United States. Most of them are not dangerous to humans. They can be controlled with larvicides, which are used to treat large containers of water. They can also be sprayed on clothes. However, they don’t prevent mosquito bites the way DEET does.
