Mosquitoes are small, midge-like flies, which are in the family of Culicidae. Apart from the fact that mosquitoes’ tube-like mouthparts pierce humans’ skin to consume blood, causing skin irritation, they are also vectors for many viruses and parasites, such as Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, malaria and many more.
The three most commonly found mosquitos’ spices in Hong Kong are Aedes, Anopheles and Culex. Like all flies, mosquitoes go through four stages in their lifecycles: egg, larva, pupa and adult.
Aedes
Anopheles
Culex
Egg
Olive-shaped, no bladder and thus sink in the water
Long oval-shape, with bladder, float on water in a symmetrical shape
Cylinder-shape, with bladder, float on water
Larva
With a pair of hairy spiracles, short and thick
With no spiracles, parallel with water when stopping
Long and thin spiracles, with an extra pair to breath. Head in the water while stopping
Pupa
Spiracles with uneven length
With short and thick spiracles
With long and thin spiracles
Adult
Noticeable black and white markings on their body and legs.
Grey-brownish body with black and white markings on their wings; form a line while stopping
Brown body with black and white markings wings;no rings on their feet.
Common diseases spread by mosquitoes
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne disease; normally carry by the bite of Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Human will be infected after being bitten by mosquitoes that are fed on pigs and wilds birds with the disease. Symptoms normally start around 5 to 15 days after infection, mild infections may have fever with headache, as for more serious infections, they are marked by quick onset of headache, high fever, impaired mental stated, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions and paralysis. The death rate of infectors is around 10 to 35%, with neurological consequences even after survival.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne infection caused by the dengue viruses that are carried by Aedes; human will be infected when being bitten by mosquitoes with the disease. Dengue viruses can also be pass from generation to anther. The dengue viruses encompass 4 different serotypes, each of which can lead to dengue fever and severe dengue. The incubation period is around 5 to 10 days, with symptoms of pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea and rash. In severe cases, it may progress to circulatory failure, shock and death.
Malaria
Malaria can be spread by bite of mosquitoes infected by malaria; although it won’t be passed from daily human interaction, it spread through blood, organ transplant or share syringes, it can also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. The symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, sweating, headache, tiredness, poor appetite and muscle pain. In typical cases, the fever comes, then subsides for 1-3 days and then comes again in a cyclical pattern. Complications include anaemia, liver and kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death if the disease is not treated promptly.
How to prevent mosquitoes?
Personally
Use mosquitos’ nets at doors and on windows.
Also wrap the net around the bed while sleeping.
Wear long sleeves tops and trousers in light color for outdoor activities; use mosquito-repelling spray on clothes.
Household (indoor)
Change water in plants regularly (at least once a week), make sure no water is stack on pot plate.
Cover up water source with lid.
Use mosquito-repelling incense or coil if the situation has gone worse.
Household (Outdoor)
Clear weed in garden to destroy the breeding ground for pest
Cover up containers with water.
Use mosquito-repelling sand or oil on soil and pond.
We provide indoor and outdoor mosquitoes-control service, please contact us for more information.
