A New Threat In Town

  There is nothing more annoying than the buzz of a mosquito as it attacks your ear during the night.  This usually always happens about an hour after bedtime just when you are getting into a good night's sleep.  Buzzzzz!  Arrgh!  You try to ignore the critter.  Buzzz!  Ugh!  You swat at your ear. Oww!  Buzzzzz!  That rascal is nigh on impossible to smack so you get up, turn on the light and search for the aggravating, biting critter.  This is done only to find that the mosquito has retreated to some obscure destination and cannot be found.  Once again, you climb back into bed.  Perhaps the varmint has left on its own and won't make a meal out of your blood.  Ahhh.  Sleep.  Buzzz!  ARGHH!  Nope. No sleep tonight!  The windows are closed and the sheet is pulled up over your head.  You swelter from the heat all the while murmuring death-wishing oaths to a bug.  Buzzz!  Ugh!  And so it goes.  Besides the obvious itchy bite, you know that these critters can carry disease so that makes it all the more worrisome.

  Now, there is another threat and one that can be as potentially dangerous as the nighttime feeding mosquitoes.  A black and white spotted mosquito called the Asian Tiger Mosquito has invaded the territory and is making a quick move throughout the country.  Right now, it is concentrated mainly in the southern states but it is on the move.  This mosquito is vicious and it can pack a mean wallop.  They are most relentless and their bite hurts!  These mosquitoes carry disease just like their hometown relatives only difference is these are daytime feeders.  They are out in full force during the same hours that most folks are out doing yard work or gardening.  These mosquitoes carry a whole different sort of diseases than their nighttime cousins.  All are potentially just as deadly.

  With all of the rain we have had this summer, the mosquitoes are multiplying rapidly.  It is best to empty any standing waters that might have collected in the area.  Flower pots, old tires, buckets, even boats need to be emptied after each rain.  One ready source of water used as a breeding ground for mosquitoes is the birdbath.  Most folks never think of this as a potential hazard but it can be home to hundreds of mosquito larvae.  It is best to empty, clean and refill it each day.  

  So now we have two mosquitoes to avoid.  Nighttime biters that irritate you to no end and daytime feeders that are just as aggravating.  Both carry disease.  Both need to be viewed as much worse than the itch their bite causes.  Ugh!  Buzzzz!