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Did you know that Eastern Equine Encephalitis can be spread to humans? It is rare, but mosquitoes can give humans EEE and at least one inhabitant of Middleborough can corroborate it. What is more EEE is worse for humans than West Nile Virus, which is spread by the same species of mosquito in the North East of the United States.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis attacks the brain and the nervous system and frequently either kills of leaves its victim in significant trouble.

The one man who is known to have been contaminated with EEE in NE America in August 2010, is still in an invalid chair a year afterward and there is no anticipated end to his pain.

The health authorities in nearby Plymouth and Bristol counties where there were also lots of these mosquitoes (Culex pipiens) last year have advised that this could become a bad year for them too.

They cautioned householders to start on home defence by repairing broken and damaged fly screens now. They have also recommended clearing up mosquitoes’ breeding grounds.

This involves up-turning any containers that could hold water for them to breed in. Do not forget that a mosquito just needs a half inch of water to lay 400 eggs. Drill holes in flower pots and old tyres so that they cannot hold water any more.

Old tyres are cited as one of the foremost reasons for the increase of mosquitoes and the spreading of new species.

The next few weeks are the linchpin of how many mosquitoes will be around later in the summer and autumn. The more you exterminate now, the fewer there will be to breed further generations and mosquitoes can breed a new generation approximately every month.

That is 1×400x400×400 mosquitoes every quarter for every mosquito that escapes. A great-grandmother mosquito can become responsible for 64 million offspring each quarter!

These mosquitoes (C. pipiens) breed in water, but hang out in damp, dark undergrowth, so you could spray in there as well. Some local authorities have been out spraying the parks and verges, but you can do your bit by taking control of your own micro-environment – your backyard, shed and garage.

EEE has not been seen this year in the North East so far, but West Nile Virus has been encountered two times already. The weather has been ideal for mosquitoes – rain followed by warm weather.

The indications of West Nile and Easter Equine are similar to those of flu. The difference is that about 1% of those with WNF may die, but far more with EEE will almost certainly die. Around a third will suffer permanent brain injury

People are worried by last year’s experience. For example, the authorities in Plymouth County have already received almost 10,000 requests to spray against mosquitoes. This situation can only become worse unless residents help by checking their gardens and close by waste ground for likely breeding sites and destroying them. But it is not easy, mosquitoes can breed in a waste potato chip packet, so refuse becomes a big issue too.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on more than a few topics, but is now concerned with how to stop mosquito bite itch. If you want to know more, please go to our website at Getting Rid of Mosquito Bites.

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