Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes may ruin your summer, but Newsweek has spoken to an expert to find out the best way to keep the bugs away from your home for good

The Lee County Mosquito Control District shared a picture of the mosquitoes in a bucket filled to the top and another of the insects laid out on a table.

Researchers found that wearing clothing with green, purple, blue and white could deter different species of the insects.

While most cases of the virus are asymptomatic, in some cases it can cause damage to the nervous system, as well as brain inflammation, or meningitis.

Earlier this summer, a bug tornado formed as breeding mosquitos hunted desperately for mates.

An infectious disease doctor who treated the man said it was the worst case of the disease he had seen in a decade.

"This looks unlike anything I had ever seen before," said one mother describing her daughter's strange bites.

This comes as folks try to shoo away the COVID-19 coronavirus that lurked all of 2020 and most of 2021 so far, and just before hurricane season.

The mosquitoes are being released as part of an experiment to help combat a disease-transmitting local species, according to Oxitec, the company behind the project.

Triple E is a rare but deadly disease, with a 33 percent fatality rate in humans and 90 percent fatality rate among horses.

Farmers in the state have lost hundreds of cattle due to the massive insect swarms, which arrived after Hurricane Laura brought heavy rainfall to the area.

The project is a first for the U.S.

While eastern equine encephalitis is a rare disease, around 30 percent of patients die and others will suffer ongoing neurological problems.

There have 21 reported cases nationwide this year and three deaths in Michigan alone. With no known vaccine or treatment, health officials are encouraging those in affected areas to avoid being bitten.

"Tracking and monitoring the types of mosquitoes that exist in Nebraska communities is critical, which in turn helps us identify potential public health implications and implement prevention measures to reduce risk," a state epidemiologist said.

Reports of mosquitoes three times bigger than normal emerged soon after Hurricane Florence passed.

A gene drive to stop the spread of malaria showed promise, with no mutations arising in laboratory experiments.

On average, researchers found 40 pieces of plastic in adult mosquitoes.

This week the Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised the statewide risk level for West Nile virus from low to moderate.

There is no vaccine to prevent infection, and there are no medications to treat the virus in people.

The mosquitoes were infected with a unique bacteria.

One of the world's most dangerous pests, this mosquito species infects millions with disease around the world each year.

To date, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated more than $2 billion towards fighting malaria.

Mosquito saliva may be increasing the severity of diseases.

Hundreds of thousands of people still die of the ancient disease every year.

But can this ancient disease be eliminated?

It turns out, shoo'ing flies away can work as a natural repellent.

Pitting mosquitoes against mosquitoes just might work.

Six people have died from West Nile virus in Los Angeles County this year.

Aerial spraying of insecticides should help to kill the bugs, but officials caution residents to stay inside during spraying.