If you thought you knew all there was to know about mosquitoes, these facts might surprise you.

We all know mosquitoes are a nuisance; they invade our backyards, sneak into our homes, and make going outdoors a far less enjoyable experience. However, there are a lot of things that you probably don’t know about these insects, such as how many species there are and what makes humans so attractive to them in the first place. Since we at Mosquito Authority believe that education is an important aspect of mosquito control, we put together some fun (or not-so-fun) facts that you probably didn’t know about mosquitoes.

1. Only female mosquitoes bite humans.

It might seem like every mosquito in the world is out to get you, but in reality, female mosquitoes are the only ones who bite humans. While male mosquitoes are able to live off of the nectar from flowers, female mosquitoes need blood in order to lay eggs.

2. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in shallow water.

Because female mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in shallow water or other damp areas, it is important to remove any areas of stagnant water near your home. Less standing water means less room for mosquitoes to breed!

3. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide.

If you’ve ever wondered why mosquitoes are attracted to humans, here’s one reason: these insects are drawn to the odor of the carbon dioxide that we naturally exhale. In addition to this, mosquitoes are also attracted to lactic acid and octenol, both of which are found in human breath and sweat.

4. Not all mosquitoes feed on humans.

With over 3,000 species of mosquito in the world, it might be hard to believe that only some of them bite humans. And, according to National Geographic, only about 3 mosquito species are responsible for spreading human diseases.

5. Mosquitoes are deadlier than you think.

They might be small, but mosquitoes are one of the deadliest species on earth. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes them as the world’s deadliest animal, as they kill more humans than any other species on the planet.

6. Blood type matters when it comes to mosquito bites.

You have probably noticed that some people you know are more prone to mosquito bites than others. Well, it turns out that mosquitoes are most attracted to people with type O blood, and tend to be less drawn to humans with type A and B blood.

7. Wearing dark clothing increases your risk of being bitten.

According to the American Mosquito Control Association, some mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing. If you’re planning on spending time outdoors, try wearing light-colored clothing to reduce your risk of being bitten.

8. Mosquitoes have been around for a long time.

To be more specific, the American Mosquito Control Association estimates that these insects have been around for about 400 million years.

At Mosquito Authority, we want to do everything we can to ensure you and your family are protected from these insects. Call us today to schedule a treatment with us and reclaim your outdoor area.

September fourth is National Wildlife Day, a time to raise awareness for endangered species across the globe. Founded in 2005 by animal behaviorist Colleen Paige, National Wildlife Day recognizes animal species that need to be preserved and protected year after year. In addition to this, National Wildlife Day also sheds light on zoos and animal sanctuaries who play an important role in preserving endangered animals and educating the public, as well as activists who work to protect these species.  

With the list of endangered animal species growing longer each year, recognizing National Wildlife Day is more important than ever. Here are just a few of the species across the globe that are endangered, according to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF):

1. Amur leopard

Also known as the Manchurian or Korean leopard, the Amur leopard lives in the Russian Far East and has a life-span of about 10-15 years in the wild. Amur leopards are critically endangered, with fewer than 60 in existence today.

2. Black rhino

With just over 5,500 black rhinos in existence today, this species has been the victim of poaching and black-market trafficking of rhino horn for years. Black rhinos inhabit the east coast of the African continent and, like the Amur leopards, are considered critically endangered. 

3. Cross River gorilla

There are only about 200 to 300 Cross River gorillas left in the Congo Basin, which is their natural habitat located in Central Africa. Poaching, as well as human efforts to encroach on their territory, has had a detrimental effect on the Cross River gorilla population.

4. Asian elephant

Asian elephants can be found in the Eastern Himalayas and live on a diet consisting largely of grass, tree bark, leaves, and cultivated crops such as rice and bananas. This species is considered endangered, with a population of fewer than 50,000.

5. Blue whale

Weighing approximately 2 tons with a heart the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, the blue whale is the largest animal on the planet. Although their species originally dwindled because of the whaling industry, the major threats to the blue whale population today are entanglements in fishing gear and vessel strikes.

After the death of Australian conservationist Steve Irwin, National Wildlife Day is now celebrated in his honor on both February 22nd and September 4th.  National Wildlife Day highlights the importance of species like these in order to protect them from extinction, and also gives us a chance to be thankful for our own animals. To learn more about National Wildlife Day, you can read about it here. If you’d like to educate yourself on endangered species and why they matter, head to the World Wildlife Fund website.