Can Mosquitoes Kill Animals?
WouterDespite their small size, mosquitoes are capable of killing animals. They carry a variety of diseases such as West Nile, malaria, yellow fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, chikungunya, and Zika. They can also bleed under the skin and cause allergic reactions.
In the United States, several people have lost livestock to mosquitoes. One cattle producer said he had lost 20 cows. Another farmer reported losing 300 to 400 cattle. He remembered putting on long pants to avoid mosquitoes.
These animals lose blood to mosquitoes and are unable to produce enough oxygen to survive. This leads to anemia and ultimately death.
Some of the larger animals that are being killed by mosquitoes are cows, horses, and pigs. A large swarm of mosquitoes recently suck up 15 cows in one night. Some farmers have lost hundreds of cattle, including bulls. Some animals are dying from exhaustion and others are just unable to cope with the constant movement of insects.
During Hurricane Laura, a giant swarm of mosquitoes arrived and killed dozens of cattle in the United States. In Louisiana, farmers in five parishes have reported losing 300 to 400 cattle to mosquitoes.
The LSU AgCenter has agents spraying farms and marshes to thin out swarms. They are also applying pesticides to help kill mosquitoes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that large mosquito populations can irritate and kill livestock. They can also spread disabling diseases such as yellow fever, West Nile, and chikungunya. The virus chikungunya has been identified in 45 countries in the Americas.
