Noisy Neighbours

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3 years ago

Another illness, similar culprit, Plasmodium (+++). It seems to have fallen so in love with me and finds it hard to let go. The vector, malaria, are not just neighbours but also roommates. They have taken over the nights.

"People who say that small things don't bother them have never slept in a room with mosquitoes"

As I type this article, one is resting on my phone screen - probably a spy, here to check what I am saying about them. I just have to kill it, so it doesn't take back the content of the post to its group. I need to sleep tonight. I don't hate the mosquito; I just want it out of your face.     

The Mosquito

What's the most dangerous creature on earth? Without question the answer is: the mosquito

"Mosquitoes and the diseases they spread have been responsible for killing more people than all the wars in history. Even today, mosquitoes transmitting malaria kill 2 million to 3 million people and infect another 200 million or more every year. Tens of millions more are killed and debilitated by a host of other mosquito-borne diseases, including filariasis, yellow fever, dengue and encephalitis."

(Illinois Department of public health)

Mosquitoes belong to the group of insects known as diptera, or flies. In fact, mosquito means “little fly” in Spanish. Diptera means “two wings” – the characteristic that distinguishes flies from other types of insects. The female mosquito’s life is often measured in weeks or months. Males typically live only about a week. 

Mosquitoes are generally considered annoying and some species transmit diseases, thus leading to a variety of human efforts to eradicate or reduce their presence.

Mosquito control

Health concerns are certainly not the only thing to worry about. If you've ever chased one pesky invader around the bedroom in the middle of the night, or you slapped your ears couple know of times, or covered your ears with the pillow to reduce the irritating buzzing, you will appreciate the value of effective mosquito control. 

There are really only two reasons to control mosquitoes;

  1. to avoid nuisance biting

Mosquito bite is not pleasant. But disturbing your rest or messing up your entire night is something quite different.

  1. to preclude the spread of mosquito-borne disease.

Disease organisms transmitted by mosquitoes includ malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika virus, Rift Valley fever, filariasis, and lots more.

Depending on the situation, source reduction, biocontrol, larviciding (killing of larvae), or adulticiding (killing of adults) may be used to manage mosquito populations. These techniques are accomplished using habitat modification, pesticide, biological control agents, and trapping.

Closing thoughts

Since many mosquitoes breed in standing water, source reduction can be as simple as emptying water from containers around the home. This is something that individuals can accomplish. Eliminating mosquito breeding areas can be an extremely effective and permanent way to reduce mosquito populations without resorting to insecticides. 

However, this may not be possible in my country, Nigeria. Many individuals believe mosquito control is the government's responsibility, and all they do is give away free mosquito nets.

I was about to slap a mosquito that's still in the middle of sipping my blood But then I realised that it already has my blood in it. Are we family now?

Mosquitoes might be nuisance in the ear, a potential malaria but they carry our blood.

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3 years ago

Comments

I don't think you and the mosquito are family and I would have slapped it. It's not sucking your blood but what it spits back into you that infects you. Malaria is just one disease there are more. Flies are filthy animals too.

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3 years ago

I told you about that sugar solution mosquito trap, remember? Did you ever try that out?

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3 years ago

Mosquitoes are annoying, especially at night. Sadly, they are no longer feasting on me coz they prefer our baby's blood. I don't mind sharing my blood with them as long as they leave my nephew alone. Anyway, stay safe.

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3 years ago

I would argue that the mosquitoes carry our blood the same way a mugger carries our wallets...

I believe a world without both is a better world.

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3 years ago

If I ever see a mosquito sitting on my children's cheeks, my hand will not rest without killing it. I often hurt my children too much in my obsession to kill him, which I regret later. But mosquito bites are not tolerated at all, especially when they are responsible for spreading a deadly disease like malaria.

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3 years ago