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MOSQUITOES FROM A TO Z

What are mosquitoes good for?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Of course, the 3,000-plus species of mosquitoes possess a place in the ecocycle, but it is difficult to imagine the benefits of these winged wonders. Of course, without them, what would bats, birds, and fish, and many reptiles eat?

BITING. Skeeters belong to the Culicidae family, are experts at biting. It's what they do best.

CARRYING GERMS. The mosquito travels from one creature to the next, attracted to carbon dioxide as we all exhale. One can only imagine the multitudinous germs she might pick up under one victim's skin and pass to the next one!

DISEASES (like dengue fever). What is dengue fever? This blood virus can be fatal to humans!

ENCEPHALITIS. Mosquitoes can spread encephalitis, a viral inflammation of the brain. This can cause a high fever, acute headaches and even mental damage. In severe cases, encephalitis can lead to coma or death.

FOGGING AT NIGHT. If you are lucky, perhaps your neighborhood will be protected by a mosquito abatement program. Here's what this means: on a serene summer evening, as you lie in bed with your windows open, you will hear a rumbling noise outside. Then a truck will roll by, spraying mosquito poison into the area. Although we are told this will not harm humans or pets, you will want to get up and close your windows!

GETTING INTO YOUR EYES. Mosquitoes are notorious for flying right into human eyes. Who knows why they do this? Still, you may find yourself rubbing and tearing up, long after the squashed bug has been removed.

HEARTWORM. A single mosquito bite, if infected, can transmit heartworm disease to a dog's heart and lungs. Canines must be tested annually for heartworm. In addition, most veterinarians prescribe heartworm prevention tablets, which must be administered monthly to dogs. This can be costly!

ITCHING, ITCHING and ITCHING! When a mosquito bites a human or animal, she leaves a protein under the skin. This cases itching and swelling.

JUST THE FEMALES BITE! That's enough! The females require a feeding on blood in order to produce eggs.

KEEPING CAMPERS UP ALL NIGHT. Mosquitoes seem to be attracted to netting, although there is no scientific reason why this may be so. Still, campers swear by it.

LAYING EGGS IN STANDING WATER. A female mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs at one time, preferably in a swamp or standing water. Ponds, puddles, rain gutters, troughs and even water-filled tire heaps are favorite spots.

MALARIA. This serious illness is caused by

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