Yes, mosquitoes are infamous for their bites. Female mosquitoes use their proboscis to pierce skin and feed on blood. Mosquitoes don’t only bite humans, but also small birds and mammals. These bites can cause marks and rashes on the skin. More infamously, mosquito bites are linked to a number of transmitted diseases worldwide. Luckily, mosquito-borne disease in Southampton is rare. Nonetheless, a mosquito bite is something no one wants to deal with.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
Female mosquitoes bite to retrieve the nutrients within the blood, primarily iron, proteins, and amino acids. These nutrients are necessary for the development of eggs. So, once a female mosquito bites, she can breed and lay eggs. While we refer to this activity as “biting,” in reality, the female mosquito is piercing your skin with her proboscis, almost like a needle.
The proboscis contains two tubes, unlike just the one in a hypodermic syringe. One of these tubes injects saliva that contains a mix of chemicals to reduce pain, thin your blood, and prevent it from clotting. The other is used to suck up the blood.
Male mosquitoes do not bite.
Do Mosquitoes Bite Dogs or Cats?
Yes, mosquitoes can and will bite your pets, including cats, dogs, and more. Cats are less likely to get bitten due to their thicker coat of hair. However, they can be bitten on their nose and ears. Dogs, on the other hand, can definitely be bitten by mosquitoes. In addition to giving your pets irritating bite marks, mosquitoes can transmit diseases to animals just like they can to humans.
Mosquito Bite Symptoms in Southampton
Mosquito bites most frequently occur on exposed parts of the body. The most common mosquito bite symptoms include:
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- Pinkish-red bumps that are itchy will form just minutes after the mosquito pierces the skin. (Over the next day or two, these bumps can become more red and dark).
- Bumps less than ½ inch across.
- Itching – Scratching at the bites can worsen the symptoms and cause bruising or rashes.
- Fever, severe headaches, nausea, and fatigue (in severe cases). Always consult a medical professional when experiencing these symptoms.
What Do Mosquitoes Eat?
Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes don’t sustain themselves on blood alone. In fact, only female mosquitoes feed on blood in order to reproduce. What they eat depends on their life stage:
- As larvae, mosquitoes feed on algae, bacteria, and other organic material in the water within which they live.
- In the pupal stage, they do not feed whatsoever.
- Adult mosquitoes, male and female alike, feed on nectar from flowering plants.
- Female mosquitoes feed on blood from humans, birds, small mammals, snakes, and more.
Male vs. Female Mosquito Diet
The only mosquito that bites to feed on blood is the female mosquito! But what about male mosquitoes? They differ in the following ways:
- In order to reproduce, female mosquitoes must have a blood meal. Afterwards, they are able to breed and lay their eggs. Female mosquitoes also feed on nectar, which is a large part of their diet.
- Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood. Instead, they rely on sugar from plant nectar. They use their proboscis to retrieve the nectar from plants. So male mosquitoes are not responsible for transmitting diseases.
Can Mosquitoes Survive Without Eating?
With their already short lifespan, mosquitoes cannot live for very long without feeding. If a female mosquito is unable to obtain a food source, it may die within days. When in a dormant stage during the winter, they can go for months without eating. However, in general, mosquitoes will die off when they don’t have a food source.
If you encounter any mosquitoes around your Southampton property, call your local mosquito exterminators at East End Tick & Mosquito Control® right away.